Nationally recognized HBCU Art professor brings international perspective to Arkansas State University’s celebrated printmaking showcase

By The Arkansas Delta Informer Staff

JONESBORO – Feb. 1, 2026 – Arkansas State University recently kicked off the 30th anniversary of the Delta National Small Prints Exhibition (DNSPE), featuring nearly 170 artists selected for the art showcase by HBCU Art Professor Ann Johson.

This year marks the hosted by Bradbury Art Museum (BAM). DNSPE was launched in 1996 by the late Evan Lindquist, a professor and master engraver who served as the head of the printmaking area at Arkansas State University.  The annual exhibition opened Jan. 29, at BAM, which is in Fowler Center on the A-State campus in Jonesboro.

“This exhibition holds special significance for our campus as it offers an opportunity to engage with the creative vitality of the contemporary printmaking community,” said Julia Wintner, director of BAM. “DNSPE serves as an important teaching and learning resource, inviting students and faculty across disciplines to explore printmaking as both a historical practice and a living, evolving art form.” 
 
Ann Johnson, juror for the 2026 exhibition, selected 55 pieces from over 450 submissions from 169 artists whose work comes from three countries, including the United States, France and the United Kingdom. Johnson is a graduate of Prairie View A&M University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Texas city of the same name.

In her role at Prairie View, Johnson serves as an assistant professor of art. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in printmaking from Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Her work has been showcased in exhibitions across the country, from the Skylight Gallery in Brooklyn to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. She was also featured in The New York Times and showcased in a collaborative exhibition at the California African American Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate. 
 
“The talent level and skill set among the ((DNSPE) entries was outstanding,” said Johnson. “Each artist brought a distinct voice and vision to their work, utilizing both traditional and experimental techniques. The diverse entries reflected not only strong technical skill, but also a deep passion for the medium of printmaking. Selecting work was not easy.” 

“The diverse scope of participating artists—working locally, nationally, and internationally—continues to shape DNSPE as a dynamic platform for artistic exchange, critical inquiry, and pedagogy,” Wintner added. 
 
The exhibition will be open through Wednesday, March 18, following the opening reception. The public is encouraged to attend this free event and view the pieces that make up the 30th anniversary exhibition.  Museum hours are 12 p.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.

[The Arkansas Delta Informer is a sister publication of Arkansas Black Vitality]