For more than three decades, Sara Howell has enhanced her community by bringing art to life in Downtown Jonesboro.

Howell, a native of Jonesboro, opened Sara Howell Gallery at 405 S. Main St. in November 1995 after returning to the city in 1983 with her husband, David, to operate the family farming business. Last month, she celebrated the gallery’s 30th anniversary with her annual open house featuring the works of artists, both familiar and new.

“Without question, the biggest blessings have come from the friends and acquaintances that have graciously supported the artists and the gallery,” said Howell. “The generosity and interest far surpassed any expectation I might have had 30 years ago.”

As a teenager, Howell said she first set up shop in her father’s office.

“In junior high school, my father, Dr. Bascom Raney, let me use his office as my first gallery,” said Howell. “His patients often said how much they enjoyed my art. That was a source of encouragement.”

Howell earned a Bachelor of Fine Art degree from Southern Methodist University and also studied art at Loyola of Chicago’s Rome Center in Rome, Italy. The inspiration for her collage work comes from life observations, love of nature and a desire to improvise.

The medium that Howell is best known for, and most comfortable with, is collage. By layering papers, she creates the textural surface that is often used in her landscapes. She describes the papers, often collected for years, as essential to her work. She often combines materials such as old sheet music, rice paper, words from books from the early 1900s and linoprint images into signature collages.

After showing her art in other galleries from 1987 to 1995, Howell said she felt that Jonesboro needed a gallery.

“Artists in our area needed a place to show their work on a regular basis,” she said. “When the old Castetter Art Shop building became available, that was the deciding factor.”

On Nov. 3, 1995, Howell opened her gallery in Downtown Jonesboro, giving local artists and patrons a venue to show and purchase art. Her first show highlighted the work of nine local artists. Over the course of 30 years, both Howell’s own body of work and the number of artists represented by the gallery has continued to grow and evolve, and there have been many talented artists who supported her from the beginning.

“The ‘local legends’ validated my efforts and were extraordinary with their support, advice and sharing their talents with me and the community,” said Howell of several local artists who have since passed away. “Roger Carlisle, Evan Lindquist, Piero Trimarchi and Cheryl Wall are some of those legends.”

As both a professional artist and gallery owner, Howell said it has been difficult at times to continue creating art while operating the gallery.

“The biggest challenge has been running a small gallery business and making art in the same space,” said Howell. “With my medium being collage, I take over a large part of the space with my papers, woodblocks, linoleum prints, found and collected paper images and photos.” 

As an artist and gallery owner, Howell is often asked for assistance in selecting artwork for her customers.

“I tell clients and new art collectors that first and foremost, you need to really like the art,” said Howell. “Simple advice is to pick a piece that you can build upon. Perhaps once you have started a collection, keep in mind that it is fun to diversify. Art mediums can be mixed. Looking at art is how you grow in your tastes. It is a fun and rewarding activity to study and view a wide range of art.”

Howell said she has been honored to be part of Jonesboro’s growing arts community for the past 30 years.

“I have seen downtown grow in the arts by adding new art venues, design firms, expanding drama and music, painting murals and festivals to name a few vital improvements,” said Howell. “The energy that has been put into the arts over the years has been exceptional. We are on a great path and more and more people are experiencing the various offers.

“Jonesboro fully understands the need for the arts. I do not have a specific suggestion but certainly want to see the continuing art expansion grow further.”

To learn more about Howell’s work and the artists currently showing at the gallery, visit sarahowellgallery.net.