What good is an art critic? Symposium entitled Conversations on Criticism: the Future of Writing on the Arts unfolds Aug 6 - 9 at Artspace Shreveport

Where are the writers who can trenchantly take the public into a piece of art to emerge with fresh understanding and details heretofore unseen?

The role and future of art criticism, a concern that arises only in a community that is high-minded and erudite, is the subject of a Shreveport Regional Arts Council symposium, Aug 6 - 9. It is called Conversations on Criticism: the Future of Writing on the Arts.

Participants are art critic Robert L. Pincus, literary critic David L. Ulin, performing arts critic Anne Marie Welsh, Michael Killoren of the National Endowment for the Arts, Michael Granberry of the Dallas Morning News, and Alan English of the Shreveport Times, says Pam Atchison.

The symposium will begin on Wed, August 6, at 5:30 pm with a welcome party for the Critics Series final exhibition, To Be Continued: The Power of Suggested Stories in the Art of Rachel Stuart-Haas, Joshua Chambers and Taffie Garsee. Also open will be Belle Mar: The Poetry of Katie Bickham, curated by literary critic David L. Ulin.

Event schedule and registration info: www.artspaceshreveport.com or 318-673-6535. Registration is $75, $40 for artists on the NWLA registry(artists must contact SRAC), and includes entry into all symposium events, meals and receptions. Included is admission to UnScene! Undisputed! on Sat, Aug 9, 5:30 pm, at Millennium Studios, 300 Douglas St.

Painting above is "Personal Passenger," by C. Mark Burt.