Short Bio
Arkansas-based artist, Bethannie Newsom Steelman, is known for her dreamlike murals painted in vibrant colors that reflect human diversity and promote community unity. Her murals are designed to accentuate the unique character of each community within its environment. She is a prolific artist who also creates giant puppets and immersive art installations. As an advocate for creatives, she organizes and participates in non-profit "Punk Rock Pop Up" exhibitions, offering creative workshops, and collaborative projects in unconventional spaces. Her art embodies activism, community outreach, social justice, collaboration, liberation, and play.
Statement
The intent of my work is to interact with the viewer, transporting onlookers into the realm of dreams with immersive installations, imaginative puppet shows, and color saturated mural paintings. When I paint murals, I aim to collaborate with the community to create a collective vision that we can all take pride in. I am delighted to share my process, and sometimes, even my paintbrush with my audience. To me, mural painting is performance! To bring viewers in, I use highly pigmented house paint exploring the spectrum in the bright colors of the rainbow to paint the pictures that become our unified narrative. The image on the wall that I leave behind becomes an area that they want to spend time in, and share with other people, turning a location to a destination.
Biography
Bethannie Newsom Steelman, is an artist from Hot Springs, AR, most known for her dreamlike murals painted in vibrant colors. She is a prolific artist, painting 15 murals in 2023, including commissions for commercial venues, community spaces, and residential walls. Additionally, she installs her own 8’x8’ mural surface at festivals and events, engaging audiences in her live painting performances across the southern states. Newsom Steelman’s murals are designed to underscore place identity, sparking a dialogue that fosters an appreciation for art and its accessibility for everyone. View her art on instagram @beansart
