Are You Arkansavvy? Famous Arkansans abound

Arkansas has a rich artistic heritage. The state has produced dozens, if not hundreds, of artists, composers, authors, actors, and musicians.

Little Rock-native and composer William Grant Still had the first composition by an African-American performed by a major orchestra, while artist Donald Roller Wilson is internationally-known for his whimsical paintings, but these are only two of the talented folks who have called Arkansas home.

This edition of “Are You Arkansavvy?” focuses on the creative forces that have produced masterpieces and enriched our cultural knowledge. See how many you know and get inspired by their works.

1. This woman, herself an artist and potter, was the wife of cartoonist George Fisher. He often hid her nickname “Snooky” into his works.

2. This company produced its trademarked swirl pattern art pottery during the early 20th Century from the headquarters in Saline County.

3. This artistic couple invigorated the arts community in Eureka Springs, where they lived from the late 1930s to 1995. Although an artist, she is best known for her jewelry. He is known for his portraits and his murals. They might have been in need sometimes, indeed.

4. This Little Rock theatre company has a stellar “rep”utation.

5. Both Don Giovanni and the Barber of Seville have been heard (and seen) multiple times at this venue in Carroll County.

6. This Crittenden County-born artist lived a surreal life and was supposedly afraid of “Hostile Butterflies.”

7. Although better known for his works of fiction, this novelist would often “stay more” and paint.

8. This “comic”al artist has become quite a “Marvel.” He’s on a first name basis with Steve Rogers aka Captain America.

9. Howdy Stranger, why don’t you play the balance of that tune? This 19th Century painter created probably one of the most recognized paintings in Arkansas folklore, which, in turn, provided inspiration for a baseball team and a University newspaper.

10. Silas Hunt and his integration of the University of Arkansas in 1948, was recently commemorated by this Conway-based sculptor.

ANSWERS:
1. Rosemary Fisher. George Fisher began work as a cartoonist with the West Memphis News in 1946 and later worked for the North Little Rock Times. He is best known, though, for his work with the Arkansas Gazette. He met Rosemary Snook during his stint in the U.S. Army while stationed in England. The two married in 1946.  Rosemary worked at the Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock for a number of years. She is best known for her large pieces of pottery. Link here for more information about Fisher.

2. Niloak Pottery. Founded by Charles Dean “Bullet” Hyten and Arthur Dovey in 1895 in Benton, Arkansas. In 1910, the company started producing pieces of pottery with a distinctive swirl pattern, which soon became very popular. The Niloak Pottery Company fell onto hard times during the Great Depression and it closed in 1947, but the items it produced are still highly prized. Link here for more information on the company.

3. Elsie and Louis Freund. The Freunds married in Eureka Springs in 1939 in Hatchett Hall, the boarding house once owned by temperance leader Carrie Nation. The couple operated the Art School of the Ozarks from 1940 to 1951 and helped create the vibrant arts community which can still be found in Eureka Springs. Link here for more information on the Freunds.

4. Arkansas Repertory Theatre. Based in Little Rock, the Rep was founded in 1976 and is the state’s largest non-profit professional theatre company.  Over its 36-year history, it has produced over 300 shows in its downtown Little Rock venue. Bob Hupp is currently the artistic director. Link here for more information about the Rep.

5. Opera in the Ozarks. Founded in 1950 by Henry Hobart and Gertrude Stockard, Opera in the Ozarks is still performed at Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony just west of Eureka Springs. Every summer, aspiring and experienced opera singers apply to participate in the season’s performances. Boasting an open-air pavilion, the operas draw hundreds of attendees every year.

6. Carroll Cloar. Cloar was born in Earle in 1913, but moved to Memphis at the age of seventeen. His paintings focused on his childhood in rural Arkansas, often depicted in surreal scenes. Cloar died in 1993, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a battle with cancer. Link here for more information about Cloar.

7. Donald Harington. Harington was born in Little Rock, but spent most of his childhood summers in Drakes Creek, a small village in Madison County, on which his fictional town of “Stay More” was based. Although he was successful as a novelist, his career focused on art and art history. He created a number of works early in his career and drew the illustrations, which accompanied The Architecture of the Arkansas Ozarks. Link here for more information on Harington.

8. Mitch Breitweiser. A native of Benton, Breitweiser has become a hot commodity with Marvel Comics, illustrating comic books and covers featuring Captain America and Sub-Mariner. His wife Elizabeth is just as well-known.

9. Edward Payson Washbourne. Born in 1831, the son of famed missionary Cephas Washburn at Dwight Mission, the Cherokee Presbyterian mission near modern-day Russellville in Pope County, he received formal art training in Fort Smith. Known as a portraitist, Washbourne is best known for his iconic 1856 painting “The Arkansas Traveler.” Link here for more information about Washbourne.

10. Bryan Massey. Massey is employed at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway as a Professor of Art and is known for his thought-provoking sculptures.