Betty Maffei Photography Exhibit

As a part of the May Festival of the Arts, The Eureka Springs Historical Museum will be exhibiting a collection of photographs by the late Betty Maffei. Betty was was a great friend and supporter of the Museum and she designated that upon her death, these images were to be donated to their collection in an effort to remember these great artists that have helped to shape the art history of Eureka Springs.

As a young adult, Betty became involved in the arts. First in music during her school years and later her interest moved toward visual arts. Her daughter, Toni Albers said “as far back as I can remember as a little girl, I could identify the smell of turpentine in our house. My mother began painting with oils most likely before I was born.” Later, Betty attended watercolor classes taught by Dolph Smith at the Memphis Academy of Art. She was enamored by the freedom of watercolor and began painting with them almost exclusively for several years, returning to the oils only on occasion.

Betty and Tony Maffei moved to Eureka Springs from Memphis, TN in the late 1970′s, Betty became active in the local art guild and made friends with many of the artists of Eureka. She was always interested in attending openings for other artist’s shows and was very supportive of their work. Betty’s paintings were hung in various places around town over the years such as the Courthouse in Eureka and the Mud Street Cafe. Betty gave away more of her paintings than she ever had on display anywhere. She was just that way.

In the 1980′s, Betty became more involved with photography as a medium and was naturally drawn toward photographing others in the art world. She loved people and people watching, so she began to photograph them. From that, this collection evolved. What started with a few photographs of some of her friends like famed art legends of Eureka Springs, Louis and Elsa Freund, grew into a mission to document as many artists of the area as possible.

The images have only been previously shown twice, once at Zarks Gallery and later at Community First Bank. They will now be a part of the permanent art collection of the Museum.

Betty Maffei passed away on June 18, 2010. Her family stated that “we are honored that these images will be among the first shown in the new art gallery of the Historical Museum.”

The exhibit will be up the entire month and there will be a reception in her honor at the Museum on Wednesday, May 4 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. The museum, located at 95 S. Main Street, is open 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information contact museum director, Ginni Miller, at 479/253-9417.