Main Street Fort Smith issues call for artist on downtown ‘art activation’

Main Street Fort Smith is working to bring a unique art activation to connect historic areas in downtown Fort Smith, but it needs the right artist to make it happen.

The organization, formerly 64.6 Downtown, put out a call Tuesday (Aug. 28) for artists to apply to create a unique art activation in an underused pedestrian pathway connecting Rogers and Garrison Avenues.

“We’re taking proposals for a sidewalk mural or something using unique materials, anything different from the typical mural,” said Amanda Hager, executive director of Main Street Fort Smith.

Downtown Fort Smith has an underused pedestrian pathway connecting the north and south corridors of the Belle Grove Historic District to the newly renovated Bakery District retail and restaurant space, according to the artist call.

“To enhance the pedestrian experience, activating this space will drive foot and bike traffic to a safe passageway between two major highways, Rogers Avenue and Garrison Avenue, in downtown Fort Smith,” noted the call.

The pathway was dubbed The Art Walk Connector by MAHG Architecture and was one of several projects included in their blueprint for a better downtown that has been presented to many in Fort Smith, including the Central Business Improvement District board of commissioners, which paid for the study, and the Fort Smith Board of Directors.

The blueprint suggested the project have an entry plaza, art installations, string lights and an art walk lighted sign. It will be located by the state office building and Prohibition Bar. The art could be rotated at certain intervals.

The CBID board initially voted to take on the project as one of its projects, but Main Street Fort Smith was already working on an alleyway string lighting installation at the area between buildings for the Art Walk. Hager said the building at 702 Garrison Ave., where two transformers will need to be located for the sting lighting installation, has recently sold and she believes a plan will be worked out to make the lighting installation happen soon.

“The lighting installation adds another bonus for the artist as the art can be seen at night,” Hager said.

That makes the next step to start working on the art.

“Main Street Fort Smith is looking to bring a unique art activation to the community that diverges from the traditional mural. We wish to harness different mediums and/or viewpoints along the sidewalk and/or buildings that seek to engage the community in a new way, offering a fresh perspective on public art,” the announcement said.

According to Main Street, the proposed artwork should enhance the visual appeal of the location, serving as a landmark and casual wayfinding between two major downtown avenues, provide excitement and interest for the community, and be an original art piece appropriate for outdoor installation.

Hager said Main Street Fort Smith is expecting to spend around $23,000 on the art installation. It has applied for a grant from the Arkansas Department of Heritage for $10,000, the maximum amount of art grants through the program. The grant would be a matching grant, which would mean they would need to secure the remaining funds to qualify for the grant. A decision on the grant will be made around Jan. 1.

“We are going to submit a proposal to the CBID,” Hager said. “I think we have a good chance of getting the grant because of the history of Fort Smith for having such great art installations and visual places in the downtown area.”

Hager said once the Art Walk is completed, Main Street Fort Smith will be talking to the state, which owns the sidewalk, about having pop-up events on the walk.

“It’s a great place to have concerts or vendor markets. Along with making it a safe and attractive pathway to the Bakery District and bars and restaurants and business, we can make it a fun place with pop-up events,” Hager said.

Artists submissions will be evaluated by a selection committee based on the overall quality, uniqueness and fun of the proposed artwork. Application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Sept. 12. Applications are open to artists and artist groups living in Arkansas only.

Main Street Fort Smith is a nonprofit committed to creating vibrant spaces in downtown Fort Smith through business development, arts and culture, special events, and the promotion of attractive amenities to accelerate development of diverse commerce.