A beautiful fall weekend was perfect for Art in the Park
by October 25, 2009 11:29 am 71 views
photos and story by Brian Sanderford
The Fall season in Arkansas brings the foliage colors, pumpkin patches, chainsaws churning, trains passing through fallen leaves, artists painting the scenery — and this was just at Creekmore Park Saturday in Fort Smith.
A large crowd joined 32 competing Plein-Aire artists and visited with more than 20 vendors at the park during “Art in the Park” an event benefitting the Fort Smith Art Center.
This was the first year that the Plein-Aire competition was part of Art in the Park. Teresa Carver executive director of the Fort Smith Art Center said moving the event to Creekmore Park this year was to make it more family oriented. Funds raised during the event will go towards the center’s general building fund said Carver.
Arvest Bank donated a former branch back facility — acquired in its $211 million purchase of Superior Federal Bank in late 2003 — at 1601 Rogers Ave. to the Fort Smith Art Center so center officials can expand their space to exhibit art, photos and provide other services.
Art Center officials are in the midst of raising $2 million to fund the renovation of the new building.
Along with the venders and artist entertainment was provided by the Irish Dancers, bagpipes were played by Davis Duty, a demonstration was conducted by Southwest Service Dogs and Sharon Sockey played guitar in the gazebo in the park.
