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Image for event: Todd Camplin and Johnna Rena’ Guillory

Todd Camplin and Johnna Rena’ Guillory

Speakeasy (Language is Culture and Culture is Language)

2025-08-04 00:00:00 2025-08-04 23:59:00 America/Chicago Todd Camplin and Johnna Rena’ Guillory This exhibit is FREE to the public and will be on display during library hours Monday--Friday 9 am-6 pm, starting Friday, July 18, 2025, through Friday, August 08, 2025. Argenta Public Library - Argenta Gallery - Exhibits

Monday, August 04
All day

Add to Calendar 2025-08-04 00:00:00 2025-08-04 23:59:00 America/Chicago Todd Camplin and Johnna Rena’ Guillory This exhibit is FREE to the public and will be on display during library hours Monday--Friday 9 am-6 pm, starting Friday, July 18, 2025, through Friday, August 08, 2025. Argenta Public Library - Argenta Gallery - Exhibits

Argenta Public Library

Argenta Gallery - Exhibits

This exhibit is FREE to the public and will be on display during library hours Monday--Friday 9 am-6 pm, starting Friday, July 18, 2025, through Friday, August 08, 2025.

Todd Camplin and Johnna Rena’ Guillory present 

Speakeasy (Language is Culture and Culture is Language)

Camplin's Artist Statement

This series is titled Endangered and Extinct Languages. I researched these languages. I then used each alphabet to make designs around the border of an abstract object. The object is a modern shape with a Latin-based alphabet pushing out the old alphabet in a symbolic demonstration of the dominant language pushing out the use of regional languages. I titled the works Odes to relate to the idea of poetry that laments the loss of something.

Guillory's Artist Statement

Johnna Rena’ Guillory is a fine arts documentary photographer. She prefers black & white photography using only available/natural light to capture her subjects. She has studied photography with Keith Carter and Henry Horenstein. Her work has shown throughout Louisiana, Texas, and New Mexico. Guillory is the type of photographer that immerses herself in the culture to record lives in their most natural setting. For this particular project, Guillory chose to spend long hours in a bar in southern Louisiana. Not just any bar, but a culturally significant space where the last embers of a style of Cajun music and Cajun culture are still celebrated “Fred’s” located in Mamou, Louisiana. The photos are much more than just a sequence of images that tell a story, and each image is a microcosm. The big story is really comprised of little moments that draw you in and you forget yourself.

Camplin's Bio

My name is Todd Camplin. I was born in South Bend, Indiana, and was raised in Kentucky. I am the son of a coal miner and a homemaker. They encourage me to go to college. I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Western Kentucky University. I spent some time in Philadelphia and then moved to Dallas to get my Master's in Humanities at the University of Texas at Dallas. I created a strong portfolio and applied to the University of North Texas, where I received a Master of Fine Arts degree.  I developed my practice of word art during my second master's. I started my series of Odes painting/drawing hybris in 2022. I researched endangered and extinct languages, then I created abstract artworks that used the languages' inspiration for each piece.

Camplin's Website

Guillory's Bio

Johnna Rena’ Guillory, a native of South Louisiana, is an accomplished photographer with a deep-rooted passion for the art. She earned her Bachelor's degree from Lamar University, where she had the opportunity to study under the renowned Keith Carter. She later went on to obtain her Master’s in Photography from the Savannah College of Art & Design.

Throughout her career, Johnna has enriched her expertise by attending prestigious programs like the Maine Media Workshops and the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops. Since 2015, she has also been leading her own photographic workshops, inspiring others through her craft.

Her work has been exhibited across Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, and Virginia, earning recognition in both regional and national circles. She has been featured in publications such as Modern Dallas and Country Roads Magazine and has participated in Photo Nola: Authors Row, where she presented her book, Fred’s.

In addition to being an artist she also teaches Visual Arts at Marshall High School. Her classes include: Art 2, Art 3, Photography, AP: Studio Art 2-D and Drawing. In 2021 she received the National Scholastic Art Educator Award because her student won the National Silver Award in Photography.

 HTTPS://JOHNNARENAGUILLORY.WIXSITE.COM/WEBSITE

 Instagram: @johnnarenaguillory

AGE GROUP: | General |

EVENT TYPE: | Exhibits/Displays/Installations |

TAGS: | #artwalk |

Argenta Public Library

Phone: 501-687-1061

Hours
Mon, Aug 04 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Tue, Aug 05 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Wed, Aug 06 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Thu, Aug 07 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Fri, Aug 08 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Aug 09 Closed
Sun, Aug 10 Closed

About the branch

This is the secondary branch of the William F. Laman Public Library located in the heart of the Argenta Arts District of North Little Rock.

Upcoming Events

Mon, Aug 04, All day
Argenta Public Library - Argenta Gallery - Exhibits
This exhibit is FREE to the public and will be on display during library hours Monday--Friday 9 am-6 pm, starting Friday, July 18, 2025, through Friday, August 08, 2025.

Mon, Aug 04, All day
William F. Laman Public Library - Children's Area
What’s hiding around Laman Kids? Follow the clues and win small prizes in these self-directed scavenger hunts!

Mon, Aug 04, All day
William F. Laman Public Library - Studio A (Rotunda)
Come up to the Studio to make something new each week!

Mon, Aug 04, All day
Innovation Hub
This exhibit is FREE to the public and will be displayed during business hours at the Innovation Hub until July 25th.

Mon, Aug 04, 10:30am - 11:30am
Argenta Public Library
At story-time, your little one will learn songs, finger plays, and nursery rhymes, join us for a morning of fun.

Cancelled
Mon, Aug 04, 10:30am - 12:00pm
ROVER
If you can't make it to the library, no worries! The library can come to you.

Mon, Aug 04, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Argenta Public Library
It’s August, that means the kiddos are back in school. Celebrate with back to school box office hits! Join each Monday at Noon for our Matinees—great for a relaxing lunch or nostalgic revelry.

Mon, Aug 04, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
William F. Laman Public Library - Studio C
This week, we will start the process of putting our quilt blocks together!

Mon, Aug 04, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Argenta Public Library
Join us every Monday at 4:30 p.m. for free yoga sessions provided by Ruby! No registration is required. | csansom@nlrlibrary.org

Mon, Aug 04, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Innovation Hub
Ever wondered what it feels like to shape clay with your own hands? This class is the perfect opportunity to explore the magic of pottery in a fun and welcoming environment.
Register

Mon, Aug 04, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Innovation Hub - STEAM Lab
In this digital design class, you’ll learn how to transform fonts, photos, and more into stunning vector designs that can be brought to life using our advanced tools in the makerspace.
Register

Mon, Aug 04, 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Innovation Hub - Wood & Metal Shop
A hand-crafted kitchen tool you’ll be proud to serve with—no pizza required (but highly recommended)!
Register

Mon, Aug 04, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
William F. Laman Public Library - Lecture Hall
Join us for to watch inspiring nature films and discuss a hopeful future!