Purses, Pack Shack, and Pigs pack Northwest Arkansas event calendar

Northwest Arkansas will spring forward with a number of events including the third annual Power of the Purse luncheon, The Pack Shack's NWA vs. Hunger, the infamous Kiss a Pig Gala, and a Van Gogh to Rothko lecture at Crystal Bridges.

Power of the Purse benefiting Women's Foundation of Arkansas
The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas will celebrate its Woman of the Year at its third annual NWA Power of the Purse Luncheon on March 9.

Joan Johnson, co-founder and president of White River Hardwood Inc., will be honored as the 2015 Woman Business Leader of the Year. During the program, WFA will also recognize its 2015 grant award winners. Keynote speaker will be social change expert Susan McPherson of McPherson Strategies.

The auction, which will be held prior to the start of the luncheon, will feature premier handbags and specialty accessories. The lunch and program will last from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the silent starting at 10:30 a.m. It will be held at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers.

Tickets are $100 and can be purchased online. For more information, call 501-244-9740.

The Pack Shack presents NWA vs. Hunger
The Pack Shack is fighting hunger by raising funds and awareness with its annual NWA vs. Hunger event March 12-14.

With a goal is to engage 3,500 people to pack 1,000,000 delicious, healthy, easy-to-prepare meals, the organization is uniting volunteers to support hunger relief groups in and around Northwest Arkansas. Individuals and teams will raise money by asking sponsors to contribute $.25 per meal packed. Team members will then gather for a "Feed the Funnel" party to pack meals for the overall cause. The event is open to all, which proceeds benefitting The Pack Shack.

Packing will take place at Cross Church in Rogers. Volunteers slot openings vary. To schedule a time or for more information, contact Bret Raymond at 466-3646.

Kiss a Pig Gala
Few events welcome a farm animal as its guest of honor, but the American Diabetes Association of NWA is doing just that at its 13th annual Kiss a Pig Gala on March 14.

This year's "KAPOW" superhero-inspired event will feature several local celebrities all competing  to kiss a pig to recognize it for producing the first source of insulin for people with diabetes. The evening will include dinner, drinks, live and silent auctions, and the official kissing ceremony. Special entertainment will be provided by the group, The Wallflowers.

The event will be held at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Attire is black-tie optional.

All proceeds benefit the American Diabetes Association of NWA and its "mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all children and adults affected by type 1 and type 2 diabetes." For more information, call 464-4121.

Van Gogh to Rothko Keynote Lecture
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art will continue its Van Gogh to Rothko exhibition series with a keynote lecture featuring  iconic painter Susan Rothenberg on March 20.

Rothenberg will participate in a thoughtful discussion with her long-time curator, Michael Auping from The Modern in Fort Worth. Known as one of the leading female American artists of the last half-century. Rothenberg 's painting Four Color Horse, is part of Crystal Bridges’ permanent collection. The talk will focus on how Rothenberg has grown as a painter, the challenges and successes she has experienced, and her intertwined relationship with the Albright-Knox Art Gallery.

The special presentation will be held in the museum's Great Hall beginning at 7 p.m. A meet-and-greet will take place prior to the lecture, beginning at 6 p.m.

Admission to the lecture is $8 for members and $10 for non-members. The meet-and-greet is free, with reservation. For more information, call 657-2335.