Artists complete artwork for Railyard Park in Rogers

Northwest Arkansas and international artists have completed original artwork for Railyard Park in downtown Rogers, and their works were installed at the park recently.

Artists Octavio Logo of Fayetteville, Mantra of France and Lakwena of London were selected by the Rogers Public Art Commission to complete the artwork for the park’s “WaterStop” arts project.

“Experiencing and enjoying public art is a wonderful change for tourists and residents of the city of Rogers to connect and experience Rogers while remaining socially-distanced,” said Rogers Mayor Greg Hines.

The artwork was installed in early November and features three painted towers.

Logo, a Mexico City native, is a multidisciplinary artist, and his artwork in Railyard Park reflects his multidisciplinary style. He incorporated structural elements to his tower and worked with Fayetteville-based architecture firm Modus Studio and area artist Jason Jones, who assisted with installation.

Mantra is a painter with international recognition for his intricate, photorealistic style and approach to installation. The site he painted at Railyard Park had been a butterfly garden, and all of the species depicted on the tower are native to this area.

Lakwena works with bold, vibrant color palettes and text. Her design for Railyard Park, “I’ll bring you flowers,” was installed by area artist Graham Edwards. He has installed several pieces in the area, including a recent installation at the Rogers Activity Center. Lakwena and Mantra are represented by artists agency, Justkids.

Railyard Park is expected to be completed in spring 2021 and is a project of the Walton Family Foundation’s Northwest Arkansas Design Excellence Program. The foundation provided a $805,668 grant for its design. Ross Barney Architects of Chicago designed the 4-acre park. The Arkansas & Missouri Railroad runs through the middle of the park, and it will include a covered area for events, a stage, farmers market, water features, play areas and orchards. The $7 million to $8 million project will be paid for with proceeds from the 2018 bond issue, said Shanda Hunter, public relations manager for the city of Rogers.