Linsie Ferguson says her earliest recollection is sitting at her grandma's kitchen with a piece of paper and a few broken crayons. Now the Denison High School senior is only days away from being the featured artist in the highly anticipated Creative Arts Center exhibit, Big Dreams - Little Beginnings on Friday, October 23. And if Linsie's dream comes true, it will mean that other aspiring young artists will have art supplies to make their dreams come true, as well.
Big Dreams - Little Beginnings will not only be a chance to appreciate approximately 15 pieces of artwork Linsie will display, but hopefully this exhibit can be a fundraiser that will enable many young artists to go from sitting at the kitchen table with a handful of broken crayons to one nervously anticipating their first exhibit.
"They need supplies," explains Red River Regional Hospital CEO David Conejo, the driving force behind this concept. "That's why we are having this fundraiser. "Plus, it will enhance Linsie's career because her first exhibit was a fundraiser."
Looking around at the remarkable collection of art that adorns the walls of Bonham's Creative Art Center, Linsie smiles.
"This has great atmosphere," she says. "I feel at home."
Bob Self, Executive Director of Fannin Community Foundation which oversees operations at Creative Arts Center, expressed his appreciation for Linsie's participation and for Red River Regional Hospital sponsoring this exhibit.
"A lot of people have big dreams," Mr. Self remarked, "but not everyone has someone fanning the flames."
Red River Regional Hospital became involved when Linsie did a painting of RRRH employee Terri Bond Gibson's father, C.W. Bond. The "buzz" that painting created was the impetus behind Big Dreams - Little Beginnings.
Linsie says she gets all the inspiration she needs from everyday life.
"If something affects me," the young artist notes, "I have to do a piece on it. Art has been important to me as long as I can remember; it's just a way for me to explain myself and how I feel."
And what medium does this artist prefer to use to transfer those images from her mind to canvas?
"Pencils, oils, charcoal...anything I can get my hands on," Linsie says with conviction.
What emotion is bubbling near the surface on the eve of her first featured exhibit?
"I'm excited so many people are taking an interest in what I'm doing," Linsie says humbly.
While Linsie is fond of her small-town roots, a big world is out there beckoning. She just received an invitation to meet with representatives of The Chicago Institute of Art.
"Maybe it's time to go big or bust," she states, "but I'm proud to be from a small town. I've learned a lot about life and love coming from a small town."
It is obvious Linsie has valuable support from her mother, Wendy Ferguson. But if there is anyone with a bigger smile than Linsie or Wendy at opening night of Big Dream - Little Beginnings, there's a good chance it will be on the face of Kay Acree, the grandmother that sat a little girl at her kitchen table all those years ago and handed her crayons.
If you would like to help other young artists turn their little beginnings into big dreams, Red River Regional Hospital would welcome your contributions. Donations will certainly be accepted during the exhibit on October 23, or feel free to make checks out to Creative Arts Center and mail them to Red River Regional Hospital, c/o Linda Gazaway, 540 Lipscomb Ave., Bonham TX 75418.
