Two University of Arkansas at Little Rock art history students are spotlighting the talent of up and coming artists in central Arkansas by curating a debut pop-up show at South Main Creative from March 1 to April 30. 

A reception to celebrate the opening of the show, “Twenty-somethings,” will take place from 6-8 p.m. March 1 at South Main Creative, 1600 S. Main St., which is open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Sophomore Cassy Christ, who works at South Main Creative, teamed up with junior Grace Lytle, both of Little Rock, after Valerie Wingert, owner of South Main Creative, wanted to do something unique with her store space.

“Valerie said she was interested in doing some mini-pop up galleries in the store,” Christ said. “Curating shows is something that a lot of art history students want to do, but often don’t have the opportunity. We thought that ‘Twenty-somethings’ would be a great opening exhibit. It’s the first of its kind at the shop, and Valerie wants to keep these pop-up shows going.”

Pop-up shows, which are often held in smaller, non-traditional spaces, also give young artists the opportunity to get more exposure and have their work displayed in more shows.

“The art itself has a fresh sensibility. You can tell a lot of these pieces are coming from young people with new and interesting ideas,” Lytle said. “There is no thematic link. In all of the work, you can see that sense of new and fresh ideas behind it. The intention of this show is to give exposure to our artists and to sell these items out. We want to see the work of these extremely talented young people in central Arkansas.”

“It’s an eclectic mix of two-dimensional and three-dimensional works that you can place in your living room or a museum,” Christ added. “Our artists are talented enough to have their work in both.”

The artists include Christ and Lytle as well as UA Little Rock students Landon Shaw, Christina Osorio, Emily Parker, Monica Penny, and UA Little Rock alum Cassidy England. Additional local artists include Katie Bell, Nick Blain, Aleck Bratt, Greta Kresse, and Chris Swasta.

The items in the show include ceramics, fine jewelry, paintings, photography, collages, and textile art.

Christ and Lytle, who have both been artists since they were children, said they hope this pop-up show will be the first of many such shows that spotlight student artists in central Arkansas.

“This will be a great opportunity to get some attention from other spaces who may want to host us,” Lytle said. “We hope people will see this pop-up show and be interested in the idea of having student curators run shows in their gallery spaces.”