Category Archives: History

New Director of Mosaic Templars Cultural Center

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ColeSericia Cole, who had been serving as interim director of the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, was recently named as permanent director of this museum.  Her appointment was announced by Cathie Matthews, the director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.  Mosaic Templars is a program of Matthews’ department.

Cole, has an extensive background in the arts and public relations.  (She and I actually worked together in the 1990s at Wildwood Park for the Arts.)  Prior to joining Mosaic Templars, she served on the staff of Governor Mike Beebe.

Under Cole’s leadership, Mosaic Templars has already has been awarded $97,636 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in Washington, D.C., in the form of a Museum Grant for African American History and Culture, a national, federal program that awards financial contributions to museums whose primary purpose is African American art, culture and history.

“This is a terrific achievement for the staff of the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, who worked really hard toward this funding opportunity,” said Cole. “We’re thrilled that the award will allow us to hire additional museum program staff and, as a result, be able to enhance our museum collections and better serve students and educators across Arkansas.”

MTCC is one of 14 such museums from across the country to have been selected to receive an award from this competitive annual grant program.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Through grant making, policy development, and research, IMLS helps communities and individuals thrive through broad public access to knowledge, cultural heritage, and lifelong learning.

The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is dedicated to telling the history of African Americans in Arkansas from 1870 to the present especially in the areas of politics, business and the arts. For more information about MTCC, visit http://www.Mosaic TemplarsCenter.com. Other agencies of the Department of Arkansas Heritage include Arkansas Arts Council, Arkansas Historic Preservation, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, Delta Cultural Center, Historic Arkansas Museum and Old State House Museum.

Give Thanks for Tax Credits – Preservation Conversations

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The Quapaw Quarter Association’s monthly Preservation Conversation continues tonight.

This month attendees will hear from property owners who have successfully used Arkansas and Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits.  Tom Marr, Rehabilitation Tax Credit Coordinator with the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, will also provide information on the program and answer questions.

The program takes place this evening at Curran Hall, 615 East Capitol Avenue. From 5 to 5:30 a reception will take place. The program will run from 5:30 to 6:30.

The Quapaw Quarter Association’s mission is to promote the preservation of Little Rock’s architectural heritage through advocacy, marketing and education. Incorporated in 1968, the QQA grew out of an effort to identify and protect significant historic structures in Little Rock during the urban renewal projects of the early 1960s. Throughout its existence, the QQA has been a driving force behind historic preservation in Greater Little Rock.

ARmusica in Recital

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On Friday, November 16, a recital will take place to help raise funds for the restoration of the St. Joseph Center of Arkansas.

Violinist, Drew Irvin and pianist, Julie Cheek will perform music of Mozart, Beethoven and Schumann.  They will be joined by violist, Ryan Mooney and cellist, David Gerstein.

The recital will take place at 7pm at Trinity United Methodist Church in Little Rock.

The St. Joseph Center of Arkansas was originally built as an orphanage by the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock.  Designed by Charles Thompson, the building opened in 1910.  It served as an orphanage until 1978 (except for a brief stint as officers’ family housing during World War I).  It later served as a daycare and kindergarten until 1997.   In 2010, the Diocese signed a 50 year lease with the St. Joseph’s Center of Arkansas.

In 1976, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Built for $80,000 it is a 56,000-square-foot brick and stone building that includes eighty rooms, an attic, and a basement. It features a chapel, classrooms, a kitchen and dining room, a bakery, and a laundry. The roof was laid with red tile and crowned with a dome.

Museum of Discovery to Feature Annual Native American Event

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As part of its educational programming, the Museum of Discovery welcomes back the Dancing Eagles for its popular annual Native American event. Tribal Trails will be held November 15-17, 2012.

Mike and Lisa Pahsetopah, with daughter Heaven, will return to present their interactive, cultural programs for both school and general audiences. Mike is an award-winning Fancy Dancer who performs the Eagle Dance and Hoop Dance. Lisa and Heaven will present the Southern Cloth, Jingles and Fancy Shawl styles of dancing. Mike will serve as the program’s cultural historian, explaining the traditional, handmade costumes and customs. Also, he will play native music on a wooden flute.
Each performance will feature the Dancing Eagles in a first-person narrative of Native American culture. Students and other audience members will be exposed to a different culture, learning the customs and history of Native Americans, particularly the Osage, one of the four major tribes in Arkansas prior to their relocation to Oklahoma.
Public Show Times:
Thursday, November 15: 2:00 pm
Friday, November 16: 2:00 pm
Saturday, November 17: 11:30 am; 1:00 pm; 3:00 pm
Tribal Trails is made possible in part by a grant from the Arkansas Humanities Council.

Veteran’s Day Sculpture Vulture: Korean War Memorial Plaza

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In honor of Veteran’s Day, the Sculpture Vulture today features the Korean War Monument in MacArthur Park.

The Arkansas Korean War Veterans Memorial was dedicated on June 25, 2007, the 57th anniversary date of the beginning of the Korean War.  Located in MacArthur Park, the Memorial Plaza features a 3′ tall black granite pentagon bearing the emblems of the five military branches; a nearly 12′ by 12′ frosted gray granite entryway; and three larger than life-size bronze statues stand in the center of the plaza.

Three larger than life-size bronze statues are the central focus of the Arkansas Korean War Veterans Memorial Plaza.  One statue is a combat soldier representing the fighting that took place in South Korea.  The second statue honors the brave sacrifices that Combat Medics and Navy Corpsmen made to save the lives of others during this conflict.  The third statue features two Korean children representing the suffering of the Korean people during the war and the future generations of Koreans that have rebuilt that nation. The statues were designed and constructed by Light and Time Design Studio and Art Foundry located in Royal, Arkansas.

Encircling the statues are eight 3′ wide x 6′ tall black granite tablets. The tablets, weighing in excess of 3,000 pounds each, are engraved with the names of the 461 Arkansas servicemen and women killed in action, a description of Korean War events and a map of Korea.

The memorial plaza stands to the east of the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History in MacArthur Park.  Though not affiliated with the museum directly, they share a common connection to both Douglas MacArthur and the role Arkansans played in the Korean conflict.

Giving Thanks for 2nd Friday Art Night (with HAM and BBQ)

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In this month of gratitude, it is a good time to visit some of the stops along the way on 2nd Friday Art Night and be grateful for creative expression which makes life more enjoyable.

Tonight from 5pm to 8pm at various downtown museums and galleries, guests can view art and enjoy live entertainment.  Admission is free.

There are many places participating.  Here are highlights from the Historic Arkansas Museum (HAM).  They will feature two new exhibits, two authors, award winning barbecue and live music.

Beyond the Expected: Norwood Creech, Paulette Palmer and Edward Wade, Jr.
From Northeast Arkansas, Norwood Creech presents a collection of photographs, reflecting the rural, agricultural landscape of Arkansas’s Northeastern Delta region, North of Interstate 40.Mountain View artist Paulette Palmer’s mixed media sculptures evoke fairy tales, memories and children’ stories. Artist Ed Wade, of Marianna, uses watercolor to explore colors and shapes, and their relationship with each other and reflect life in the Delta.

Jared Hogue: Mini Faces
This exhibit of caricatures by Jared Hogue includes work from three categories: Notable Arkansans, In Memoriam, and Pop Culture. Hogue has worked as a freelance artist since 1990, creating illustrations, portraiture and political cartoons, along with caricatures. He lives in Cabot and teaches at the Arkansas School for the Deaf.

In the Museum Store, meet Edmond Davis, author of Pioneering African-American Aviators, and Kat Robinson, author of Arkansas Pie, and Grav Weldon, will have his pie photographs. Jeannie Whayne will have a few copies of her latest book, DELTA EMPIRE on hand. Get your books signed – from 5 to 7 pm, during 2nd Friday Art Night, November 9.

Legacies and Lunch: Deering Discusses Fisher and Political Cartoons

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John Deering, Chief Editorial Cartoonist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, will discuss the history and importance of cartoons created by George Fisher.  The talk takes place today as part of the monthly “Legacies & Lunch” program.

Fisher was a political cartoonist for more than 50 years whose work influenced and helped define Arkansas politics and politicians for a generation.

Among his legacies were Orval Faubus and the Farkleberry Tree (pictured at right), Bill Clinton graduating from buggy to tricycle to bike to pickup, David Pryor and his coon dog, Frank White and his banana and the Old Guard Rest Home.

Legacies & Lunch is sponsored in part by the Arkansas Humanities Council. Bring a sack lunch; drinks and dessert are provided.

It will take place in the Darragh Center inside the main library building.  The program starts at 12noon and ends at 1pm.  The program is free.