Art scene growing in Arkansas

story submitted by Zoie Clift, a travel writer for the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism

Though often underplayed, the art scene is alive and well in Arkansas. Blues and banjo musicians, actors and architects, potters and poets, fashion designers and film crews all have left their artistic imprint in the state over the years.

“The diversity of the cultures and regions in Arkansas has fostered a wide range of excellent visual, literary, and performing artists and venues throughout the state,” said Joy Pennington, executive director of the Arkansas Arts Council.

This diversity encompasses the Blues musicians of the Delta and the internationally known blues festival in Helena-West Helena, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival and an abundance of art and music festivals throughout the year.

Even with a broad scope of artistic outlets, the state is still somewhat of an under-the-radar art destination.

“I think the biggest misconception is that you have to visit a big city or go out-of-state to experience a thriving art scene when, in reality, there is so much incredible art right here,” said First Lady of Arkansas Ginger Beebe. “What I have seen in the past few years is a growing awareness of the talented artists in our state. There are more art galleries and more businesses that carry crafts made by Arkansans.”

Multi-year projects such as the Arkansas Creativity Economy Project (funded by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation) have also been initiated to enhance the state’s creative assets.

“The concept of a creative economy combines aesthetics and design with economic development in our state,” said Beebe, who is on the advisory board for the project.  “Craftsmanship, architecture, and even digital innovations can exhibit both beauty and functionality. Through the panel I hope to promote awareness of the arts in sometimes unexpected markets.”

According to Pennington the state hosts an assorted range of arts.

“My impression is that Arkansas is best known outside the state for our rural roots including Ozark folk music, country music, and traditional crafts,” she said. “While these are important aspects of our culture, we also have a strong tradition of literary arts as well as modern art galleries, symphony orchestras, and high quality venues like the Arkansas Arts Center, Arkansas Repertory Theatre, and the Walton Arts Center. When completed, the Crystal Bridges Museum  (in Bentonville) will be one of the premier sites in the world for those interested in modern architecture, as well as housing the world’s finest collection of American art.”

Barbara Tobias, board director member of the Mena Art Gallery, says it’s the wide variety of medium in which local artists work that sets the state apart in the art realm.

“We are seeing a rapid growth both in numbers of artists and the quality of work here in Mena which is, after all, a very small part of the state,” she said. “Our gallery (non-profit) has been operating full-time for seven years and every year our entries for the shows (we average one exhibit per month) have increased and the increase in quality has been phenomenal.”

There are a wide range of schools and studios in the state including the Eureka Springs School of the Arts and the Artchurch in Hot Springs. Artchurch is an art school based in an 8,400-square-foot turn-of-the-century church (with more than 600 feet of stain-glass) that was recently converted into five artist studios, three galleries, and the home and studios of director Terri Menefee and her family.