The Arkansas State University–Beebe Art Department is featuring the work of nationally recognized watercolor artist Richard Stephens during a special February exhibit at the England Center Art Gallery.
Stephens brings more than four decades of experience as a freelance commercial artist and graphic designer, along with 23 years teaching watercolor workshops across the United States. He has also served as a juror for numerous watercolor competitions and exhibitions.
His artwork and techniques have been highlighted in major art publications including Watercolor Magic, SPLASH, Watercolor Artist, and the French magazine The Art of Watercolor. Three of his paintings were selected for Splash 10, a North Light Books biennial publication showcasing leading watercolor artists in America.
Stephens’ honors include the Grand Prize in the 2014 Daniel Smith Customer Art Competition, Arkansas Individual Artist of the Year at the 2018 Governor’s Arts Awards, multiple Bold Brush Online Competition Outstanding Watercolor awards in 2023 and 2024, and the Arkansas Arts Council Small Works on Paper Purchase Award in 2025.
The exhibit is open to the public with free admission at the England Center Art Gallery, located at 201 North Orange Street in Beebe. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The gallery presents student and featured artist exhibits throughout the academic year.
ASU-Beebe is the only two-year college in central Arkansas offering an Associate of Fine Arts degree with emphasis options including music, theater, graphic design, and creative arts enterprise, designed for transfer toward a bachelor’s degree in fine arts.
For exhibit information, contact Thomas Fernandez at (501) 882-8913 or the gallery reception office at (501) 882-4495. For ASU-Beebe program details, call (501) 882-3600.
