EL DORADO, Ark. — Local artist Rob Reep will be among the featured artists in the upcoming 11th annual 5×5 Art Dash, set for Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at the South Arkansas Arts Center in El Dorado.
The fundraiser features original artwork created by participating artists on 5-inch by 5-inch canvases, offering a wide variety of small-format pieces for attendees to choose from during the event.
Reep’s contribution, titled “Northern Retrieve (Field Study),” is a 5-by-5-inch oil painting inspired by a bird hunting trip in Canada. The piece depicts a retriever carrying its prize across an open field, capturing a quiet moment of purpose and instinct in the field.
Reep, a South Arkansas-based oil painter influenced by the region’s rural landscape and outdoor traditions, often draws inspiration from his own experiences outdoors.
“The dogs working with you out there are real athletes,” Reep said. “Watching them do their job is something special. What they do is almost an art form in itself.”
Reep said his work centers less on painting a broad scene and more on preserving a specific moment in time.
“I’m not necessarily trying to paint a scene,” he said. “I’m trying to capture a moment—a piece of space in time. A lot of my paintings end up becoming a kind of journal of my own experiences. I’m around rural life, so that’s what I paint.”
The dog featured in the painting, named Whiskey, also left a lasting impression.
“Whiskey was an incredible dog to work with—athletic, full of stamina, and very intelligent,” Reep said. “Watching dogs like that in the field is a pleasure in itself.”
Reep said he hopes the piece resonates with whoever ultimately selects it during the event.
“I just hope it finds a home where someone can really enjoy it,” he said. “Something they can look at and find a little bit of comfort in.”
The 5×5 Art Dash is one of the South Arkansas Arts Center’s most anticipated annual fundraising events, bringing together regional artists and patrons for an evening centered around original artwork and community support.
Guests who purchase a $50 ticket will enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres beginning at 5:00 p.m., followed by the main event at 5:30 p.m. when participants “dash” to select their preferred artwork. Each ticket admits two people, with one original piece available per ticket.
All artwork will be on display in the Price Gallery at the South Arkansas Arts Center in El Dorado from May 1 through May 5 leading up to the event.
This year’s Art Dash is organized by Kelly Campbell, a local artist and former South Arkansas Arts Center staff member. The event continues to be sponsored by Bruce Coffey of East Camden and Highland Railroad.
Only 50 tickets will be available. Tickets may be purchased through the South Arkansas Arts Center box office or by calling 870-862-5474.
