
The Arts Council of Mississippi County is pleased to announce Sherry Ruddick as the featured artist for The Ritz Gallery for the month of April, 2016. Her exhibit will be available for viewing weekdays from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, and during special events. There will be a free Meet the Artist Reception at The Ritz, 306 W. Main in Blytheville, on Saturday, April 9, 2016, from 3:00-5:00 PM.
Mrs. Ruddick, originally from Central Arkansas, is a resident of Manila, AR. She and husband Paul Ruddick have two children, Silas and Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn also shows talent as an artist.
“I guess my artistic beginnings started with my wonderful wall creations in crayon. Well, I thought they were wonderful,” shares Mrs. Ruddick. She continues, “My mother was not so thrilled with them. After washing one too many walls, my parents invested in a large chalkboard and plenty of coloring books. All my childhood I loved to draw on and with anything I could get my hands on.”
Sherry studied art in junior high and high school. Mr. Matthews was her inspiring and talented art teacher through her high school years in Haskell, AR. She learned much about being an artist from him. He was honest and blunt, but was also supportive and encouraged her creativity. Sherry remembers him as a great teacher.
As an adult, Sherry has been involved in other forms of art such as singing, writing music and creating jewelry. However, drawing and painting remain as her favorite creative outlet. Her art expresses her inner self, her emotions, thoughts and beliefs, and she turns those into works that can be seen and enjoyed by others.
Mrs. Ruddick added, “I mentioned to my father-in-law that I have a hard time letting go of my artwork. He told me something I’ll never forget. He said,
‘Your artwork is a part of you, it’s a little piece of your soul that you’ve imparted into your art. That’s why you have a hard time letting it go.’ Yeah, I’d say that about says it all. If you look at my work, you are looking at a small piece of me.”
You can meet Sherry Ruddick at her Gallery Reception. For additional information about this event or others at the Ritz, call (870)762-1744, or visit www.artsmissco.org.