The Delta National Small Prints Exhibition is now open to the public, and will be featured at the Bradbury Art Museum in the Fowler Center at Arkansas State University through Feb. 27.

The exhibition contains dynamic and unique prints submitted by artists around the world. The absence of exclusivity makes for a strong connection between the people of the Jonesboro community and others in different parts of the world.

Associate curator of prints and drawings at Minneapolis Institute of Art, Juror Dennis Michael Jon, chose 55 prints from those submitted. Out of the 55 chosen, 13 were selected to receive a special award.

With submissions open to artists around the world, this year the featured exhibit was “Cloth as Community: Hmong Textiles in America.” The Hmong people are an Asian ethnic community descending from regions of Laos, Vietnam, China and Thailand.

The pieces exhibited are contemporary versions of the art forms created by the Hmong people. The use of geometric shapes can be seen in the artwork, along with the use of nature, which is used as a symbol relating to their spiritual beliefs.

The Hmong created and perfected their art forms while residing in refugee camps. The United States did not know of the particular style of art created by the refugees until the late 1970s, when the people began to immigrate into the United States.

Meanwhile, the Delta Small Prints Exhibition originated with Curt Bradbury 2001. Bradbury in the name of his wife, Charlotte, beginning the annual Delta National Small Prints Exhibition.

This year’s exhibition, which includes the

“Cloth as Community” exhibit, is open to the public from noon to 5 p. m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 2-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free