Join us for the Opening Reception of For Real: True Stories about Arkansas’ Past & Present
Friday, February 14 | 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Trinity Gallery for Arkansas Artists, Historic Arkansas Museum, Little Rock
This exhibition, on view from February 14 through May 25, 2025, showcases original artwork by Sean Fitzgibbon and Kasten Searles, two artists using graphic storytelling to illuminate Arkansas' history and contemporary experiences.
The Power of Graphic Nonfiction
Blending the visual appeal of comics with the depth of literature, graphic novels offer an immersive reading experience. In particular, graphic nonfiction has emerged as a compelling medium for memoirs and documentary-style storytelling, merging words and images to create a cinematic, emotionally resonant effect.
Featured Artists
Sean Fitzgibbon (Fayetteville, AR)
Sean Fitzgibbon’s work delves into strange but true stories. His latest graphic nonfiction book, What Follows Is True: Crescent Hotel, explores the haunting history of the Baker Hospital—a Depression-era cancer treatment center operated by con man Norman Baker. Using rich, atmospheric imagery, Sean brings to life a chilling tale of deception more terrifying than any ghost story. Copies of What Follows Is True: Crescent Hotel are available at the HAM Museum Store. His upcoming book will examine the history, folklore, and science surrounding the Plum Bayou Mounds site.
Kasten McClellan Searles (Little Rock, AR)
Kasten Searles blends digital and traditional media to tell powerful personal narratives. Her current project recounts the devastating March 31, 2023, tornado that tore through Little Rock. With a survivor’s insight, she captures the chaos and resilience of the aftermath, juxtaposing delicate linework with expressive ink and watercolor washes.
Kasten is an artist, illustrator, and educator, serving as the head of the Art Department at Arkansas Tech University. Her illustrations have been featured in magazines and HAM’s Collecting Arkansas Made and Knife Gallery exhibits.
Special thanks to Curator of Exhibits, Carey Voss.
February 14 – May 25, 2025 • Historic Arkansas Museum | 200 East Third St, Little Rock, AR
Join us for an evening of art and storytelling!
