SAAC welcomes back El Dorado native and emerging artist Emmaline Landes. Emme will present a selection of paintings from her BFA Thesis, “Hidden in a Handbag,” completed at the University of Mississippi in the Lobby Gallery June 2-27. Join us in celebrating Emmaline Landes at the opening reception on Monday, June 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Landes’s work delves into the nuanced experience of navigating a world where women are relentlessly pressured to embody perfection and conceal their imperfections. Through her vivid oil paintings, she explores how societal molds impose expectations on women, often masking their authentic selves behind curated images of polished perfection.

The series uniquely features the contents of spilled purses—objects shared by friends, family, and herself—that serve as raw, unfiltered portraits of personal narratives. By magnifying these everyday items, Landes invites viewers to confront the vulnerability and stories hidden beneath the surface. The chaotic, overlapping compositions—rendered in bright, youthful colors—subvert superficial appearances, challenging viewers to question notions of authenticity versus societal façades.

“Ultimately, my paintings seek to unravel the complexities of female identity,” Landes explains. “As the contents of our purses are spilled, so too are the incredible stories of the women that carry them.” Her work underscores the tension between private realities and public personas, emphasizing that beneath the masks we wear lies a rich tapestry of lived experience.

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A graduate of the University of Mississippi with a focus on photorealism, Landes is passionate about exploring new styles, materials, and concepts to push her artistic boundaries. She will begin her MFA studies at Southern Methodist University this fall. Her art draws heavily from feminist theory, aiming to foster conversations about societal expectations, authenticity, and personal identity.

Join us for the opening reception on June 2 to experience Landes’s thought-provoking exploration of womanhood and societal pressure. The exhibit promises an engaging visual journey into the stories we carry—and conceal. The SAAC galleries, located at 110 East Fifth Street in El Dorado, are free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

EL DORADO — Union County Judge Mike Loftin has officially proclaimed May as Extension Homemakers Month, honoring the long-standing impact of the Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council (AEHC) on families and communities across the state.

The proclamation was signed at the Union County Courthouse, where Judge Loftin was joined by Kay Johnston, Judy Couch, and Lauren McGarrh, Union County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent.

Founded in 1912, AEHC has worked for over a century to empower individuals and families through continuing education, leadership development, and community service. The organization celebrates its 113th anniversary this year, continuing its legacy of supporting homemakers and strengthening communities across Arkansas.

Union County residents interested in joining AEHC or learning more about its programs are encouraged to contact the local extension office at 870-864-1916.

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CAMDEN — The Ouachita Partnership for Economic Development (OPED) Housing Committee has announced the launch of a Community Housing Study Survey aimed at better understanding the current and future housing needs of Camden and the surrounding area. The initiative, which began on May 27 and runs through July 1, seeks input from residents, workers, and local stakeholders to guide housing decisions that support sustainable community growth.

The survey focuses on workforce-style housing and is a key step in ensuring Camden offers quality, affordable, and accessible housing options to meet the demands of a growing population.

“Our goal is to make informed decisions that reflect the real needs of the people who live and work here,” said James Lee Silliman, Executive Director of OPED. “Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, business owner, or planning to move to our community, your input is critical.”

Participants will be asked to share their experiences and preferences related to:

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• Housing challenges and shortages
• Desired housing types and price ranges
• Preferences on location, design, and affordability
• The connection between housing, jobs, transportation, and services

The results will be used to inform housing policies, support grant applications, and ensure future development is aligned with infrastructure and economic plans.

The survey is open to Ouachita County residents aged 18 and older and can be completed in under 10 minutes. Responses are confidential and will directly impact local housing strategies.

How to Participate:

• Online: Visit www.explorecamden.com
• Social Media: Find the link on the City of Camden, Camden Regional Chamber of Commerce, or OPED Facebook pages
• Paper Copies: Available at local restaurants, churches, businesses, clinics, the hospital, library, East Camden and Camden city halls, the courthouse, and more.

City officials and economic development leaders are urging as many residents as possible to take part in the survey and help shape the future of housing in Ouachita County.

HAMPTON — The Hampton Police Department has announced a new partnership with MYPDConnect, offering residents an easier, more convenient way to interact with city departments and file non-emergency reports from home.

According to a statement from Chief Tischa Johnson, the new online platform will allow citizens to report criminal activity, city ordinance violations, officer conduct, and more—directly from their smartphones or computers. The system also allows users to give shout-outs to officers, ask general questions, and submit complaints to both the City of Hampton and other departments such as the Mayor’s Office and Water Department.

“This new platform expands access for our citizens and gives them more flexibility to reach out, ask questions, and voice concerns,” said Chief Johnson. “We’re excited about how MYPDConnect will help us serve our community more efficiently.”

The service is being rolled out for non-emergency calls only. Residents have several options to file reports:

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1. Text 870-725-5611 to receive a direct link.
2. Visit https://hamptonpd.mypdconnect.com
3. Scan the QR code on the official announcement.

The Hampton Police Department hopes the new system will strengthen community engagement and make it easier for citizens to report issues and stay informed.

EL DORADO — AARP Arkansas and South Arkansas College are teaming up to offer Tech Tuesdays, a free technology training series throughout the month of June designed to help participants sharpen their computer skills.

Hosted at the Mahony Family Library on the SouthArk campus (300 Summit Ave.), these hands-on classes are open to the public and will take place every Tuesday in June. Attendees can choose from two available time slots each week: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptops. Those needing access to a computer can reserve one by calling the library at 870-864-7115.

Here’s the full lineup of classes and registration links:

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• June 3: Computer Component Basics
  Register here
• June 10: Navigating the Operating System – Part 1
  Register here
• June 17: Navigating the Operating System – Part 2
  Register here
• June 24: Technology Accessibility
  Register here

These sessions are ideal for beginners or anyone looking to refresh their tech knowledge. AARP and SouthArk hope the initiative will empower attendees with the digital skills needed for everyday tasks and improved access to online resources.