WEST PLAINS, MO – The West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) and Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) have partnered to bring quarterly art displays to the incubator. Local artist Joyce France’s works will be featured inside OzSBI’s first floor January 3 through the end of March 2022. Visitors may view the display at the incubator during OzSBI’s business hours, anytime between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
“Beautiful rural landscapes and dramatic pours are signature Joyce France,” WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale said. “She’s able to create the beautiful colors she sees in nature in both her representational and non-representational works.”
France came from Southern California in 1963 and has lived in West Plains ever since. She spent a lot of time in Arizona and found inspiration in the rich colors of the southwestern desert. Many of her paintings have a southwestern flavor, especially in the choice of colors. France says, “Using a pallet knife is my very favorite method of getting those vivid colors on canvas.”
With a lifelong love of photography, France operated Foto’s from France photography studio for twelve years in West Plains. “Photography taught me a lot about composition and lighting, and by doing my own printing I learned about color,” France said. She painted a bit in the late 80’s and early 90’s then set it aside to manage her business, France Fire Extinguisher Company.
France started painting again, mostly oils, but loves art of all kinds, including abstract paint pouring, which will be represented by many pieces in the exhibit.
A Meet-the-Artist event will be held on Thursday, January 13, 2-4 p.m. in OzSBI’s lobby at 408 Washington Ave. in West Plains. The public is invited to attend, meet France, view and discuss the pieces on display.
For more information about the exhibit, contact Madison Hizer madisonhizer@ozsbi.com at OzSBI or WPCA Coordinator Janey Hale at jhale2129@gmail.com.
