ABSTRACT ART
Kilgore artist's exhibit at Longview Museum of Fine Arts
By LESTER MURRAY news2@kilgorenewsherald.com

Anup Bhandari shows off just a few of the pieces that will be featured at the exhibit in Longview starting on July 18.

A
young artist came from Nepal to the United States in pursuit of
learning art, and now nine years later his talents are being
recognized.

Anup Bhandari is a graduate of Kilgore College now attends the University of Texas at Tyler.

Bhandari, a Kilgore resident, said he will finish his bachelor's degree
this year and then pursue a master's degree, also at UTTyler.

Just recently, Bhandari was selected, along with six other artists, to
show their work at the Longview Museum of Fine Arts (LMFA). The exhibit
will be on display from July 18 through Aug. 29,

"Artists chosen were from around East Texas, and I was chosen to represent Kilgore," said Bhandari.

"I work in abstract," he explained. "I am glad I chose to be an artist.
My passion has not only led me to the United States, but it has been a
means to know many important and wonderful people in my life."

The exhibit will also feature Hank O'Neal, born in Kilgore and a
longtime resident of New York City, Cece Bode from Longview, Suzann
Cromer from Gilmer, Daniel Hays from Chandler, Ellie Taylor from
Hawkins and Derrick White from Tyler.

The exhibit opening is at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 18, with Hank O'Neal as
the featured speaker of "Gallery Talk;" the reception which follows is
from 7 to 9 p.m.

Exhibits from all seven artists may also be viewed during regular
museum hours, Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on
Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. There is no charge to visit the museum.

Renee Hawkins, LMFA executive director, said this is one of six
regularly scheduled events the museum puts on each year through grants
from the City of Longview.

Bhandari said when people ask him what his favorite painting is, he just replies, "It will be the next one."

All artists works at this exhibit will be for sale through the LMFA.

"I also have my work on display at Art Gallery 100 (located at 100 W.
Tyler St. in Longview)," said Bhandari, "and I will be teaching two art
classes at Kilgore College in July, one for adults and one for
children. Those wishing to attend can register at KC."

LMFA is located at 215 E. Tyler St. in Longview.