Downtown Fort Smith arts events planned for early November
Several groups are working together on an early November inaugural arts events in downtown Fort Smith that organizers hope will be the beginning of an annual tradition and will better connect downtown businesses with the broader community.
The inaugural Garrison Arts Walk, led by Main Street Fort Smith and the Fort Smith Downtown Business Association is set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 7, 2026, in downtown Fort Smith.
The two groups are in the process of reaching out to artists, artisans, musicians, performers, volunteers and others needed for the event. Sign-up information can be found at the Main Street Fort Smith website.
Amanda Hagar, executive director of Main Street Fort Smith, said the arts walk is similar to a downtown arts event in 2018 and 2019, but ended with COVID. She said Tyler Armstrong and Lachelle Rolandelli, who were among organizers of the previous events, are helping organize the 2026 arts walk.
“They were part of the original group,” Hagar said. They were really instrumental in pairing art with the business, in creating that relationship with the original art walk, so we really wanted that experience, that information, with our art walk.”
Also involved in the free community event is the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, and the Arts and Culture Coalition, a new organization focused on promoting performing arts groups in the area, Hagar said.
A Main Street Fort Smith press release said the “event will transform downtown into a walkable arts experience, connecting visitors with local and regional creatives at locations throughout the district.” A key feature of the event will have artists inside downtown businesses and “in select public spaces, allowing attendees to explore downtown while discovering original artwork, handmade goods, live demonstrations, music, and performances.”
A free digital map of locations in the event will be available prior to the event.
“We’re excited to create a new opportunity for artists and businesses to connect with the community,” Hager said in a statement. “The Garrison Arts Walk will celebrate creativity while encouraging people to explore downtown, support local businesses, and engage with the talented artists and makers who help make our region unique.”
Hagar said the event coincides with the Red Autumn Arts Festival set for the same weekend at the Wyndham Hotel in downtown Fort Smith. Red Autumn is a Sallisaw, Okla.-based organization and has held the festival at the hotel since 2023. The festival includes and indoor art market, music, and a student art competition.
“There will be lots of arts spaces for people to go to, to see,” Hagar said. “We are all cross promoting for a huge weekend of arts downtown.”
Hagar said they have no estimate on how many may attend all events set for that November weekend, but said the 2025 fall festival had around 5,000 people attend. She hopes the 2026 art walk will attract that many, but said they will be happy with fewer for the first event with which they plan to learn from and build upon.