Work to soon begin on downtown Fort Smith ‘Art Walk’ mural

Work on a highlighted Art Walk in downtown Fort Smith will begin by late April. Mainstreet Fort Smith has been working on a unique art activation to connect historic areas in downtown Fort Smith for the past year.

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

Sasha Rayevskiy, aka TigerSasha, was chosen as the artist to bring the first sidewalk mural to downtown Fort Smith, said Amanda Hager, executive director of Main Street Fort Smith. Rayevskiy is a Northwest Arkansas-based muralist and printmaker.

“We are thrilled to have TigerSasha bring his bold creativity to downtown Fort Smith,” Hager said. “Sasha’s vibrant style, playful imagination, and deep connection to Arkansas perfectly embody what Main Street Fort Smith loves most about public art — bringing people together through colorful storytelling.”

Rayevskiy has about 190 feet to work with for the sidewalk mural, which will become another iconic destination that celebrates the Fort Smith community and energizes downtown, Hager said. Weather permitting, he will start on the mural April 28.

“The work should take about five days,” Hager said. “We encourage people to stop by, say hello, and witness the art come to life.”

The total cost of the mural is estimated to be $23,000, Hager said. Main Street Fort Smith was awarded $10,000 through the public art grant program from the Division of Arkansas Heritage. Six communities from across the state were selected for the competitive grant program, which is funded by the ⅛-cent conservation tax, Amendment 75. Fort Smith Central Business Improvement District (CBID) provided a $10,000 grant match.

The pathway where the mural will be located 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 CBID 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. The meter equipment for the string light installation was installed in March and OG&E has been contacted to get the power on there, Hager said.

“I’m waiting on a call from the city to see if it’s actually on,” she said.

Outdoor Lighting Perspectives will do the work on the string light installation, with work set to begin April 22. The lighting design will be bistro-style lighting between 702 Garrison Ave. and the B.G. Hendrix State Building. It will continue behind 702 Garrison and connect to the City Parking Garage.

“This project will create a vibrant, accessible corridor that connects Garrison Avenue and Rogers Avenue,” Hager said. “Once completed, the lighting installation will significantly enhance pedestrian safety, accessibility, and aesthetics, creating an inviting pathway for residents and visitors.”

The hope is that the alleyway becomes more than a cut-through and be a spark for creativity and community activity, she said.

“The lighting and mural are just the beginning,” Hager said. “We’d love to see future art displays, pop-up events, or even an art walk in that space. The goal is to generate more foot traffic and inspire new businesses to open in the blocks surrounding it.”