Howard Simon (1902-1979) was a renowned artist with a wide range of skills, particularly woodcuts. Howard Simon"s work was and is popular across the United States, but Arkansas has a unique connection to Simon's life and work. Although Simon was not originally from Arkansas, his ex-wife, Charlie May Simon, linked Howard to Arkansas History. They met in Paris, France, married in 1926, and they built their home in Perry County. Charlie May wrote books that Howard illustrated, and despite their divorce, they continued their professional relationship.
As a student minoring in Museum Studies at Henderson State University, our final requirement was to apply my previously acquired knowledge and collaborate with an organization to design and install an exhibit. I had the wonderful opportunity to work with the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies to put together an exhibit showcasing a number of Howard Simon's illustrations. for "Howard Simon: Art and Illustrations," I wanted to showcase Simon's ability to tell a story—in his own life and others.
The Butler Center for Arkansas History had a few unique pieces to contribute and UA Little Rock Center for Arkansas History and Culture loaned a large number of the art showcased. There are pieces in the exhibit inspired by Simon's life in Arkansas during the Great Depression. The art captures the scene as if you, the viewer, are Simon watching it play out. There are illustrations in the exhibit that capture life on the homestead as Simon viewed it and a sketch of a women assumed to be Charlie May Simon. In a way, Simon's work inspired by Arkansas is interesting because Simon created the images as someone not native to the state. Because of this, Simon's scenes provide a wonderful and different view of Arkansas History in the 1920s and 1930s. While other illustrations, such as Le Boulee, Paris and A Cathedral in Moret, displayed scenes from Simon's life in France.
The goal for the exhibit was to provide a variety of Simon's influence; Arkansas, France, Charlie May Simon, stories. I wanted to put together something anyone would enjoy and connect to, but also provide a special connection to Arkansas. I learned a great deal through hands-on experience with art and facility. I had the opportunity to frame the art, write all the text, and hang everything. It was a wonderful coincidence that the Butler Center and I decided on an exhibit showcasing Howard Simon's work while the Center for Arkansas History and Culture was organizing this exhibit for Charlie May Simon. As a result, I have had the opportunity to learn about the more personal process of the museum and gallery community.
Katelynn Caple graduated from Henderson State University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts. Katelynn majored in history and minored in museum studies as well as French. During her education, Katelynn organized the exhibit at the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies "Howard Simon: Art and Illustrations" and wrote the Esse Purse Museum entry for The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture.