Category Archives: Museum

September 2FAN at HAM – soothSAY

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Join HIstoric Arkansas Museum for the opening reception of “soothSAY” an exhibit by Culture Shock Arkansas. Shannon Boshears Band will provide the live entertainment. Kat Robinson, renowned author and food blogger, will be signing copies of her new book, “101 Things to Eat in Arkansas Before You Die,” in the Museum Store.

The reception is sponsored by the Historic Arkansas Museum Foundation, with special thanks to 107 Liquor. Beverages and appetizers will be served in the Stella Boyle Smith Atrium. The exhibits and reception are free and open to the public.

Arkansas and Mexico: The Early Years is focus of Old State House Museum Brown Bag lecture today

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Arkansas and Mexico each became political entities in the first decades of the 19th century. Both before and after Mexican Independence, Arkansans looked for commercial and political opportunities in Mexico.

Join the Old State House Museum on Thursday, Sept. 12, from 12 to 1 p.m., as Dr. Kristin Dutcher Mann explores the first 100 years of relationships between Arkansas and Mexico.

Dr. Kristin Dutcher Mann is professor of history and social studies education coordinator at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

She is a specialist in the history of colonial Latin America and the U.S./Mexico Borderlands. In addition, she frequently works with teachers and students on public and local history projects and grants.

 

Exhibit celebrating the work of sculptor Jose Sacal opens at Clinton Center

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José Sacal: A Universal MexicanA new exhibit is now open at the Clinton Presidential Center.  José Sacal: A Universal Mexican is presented in celebration of the CCIX Anniversary of the Independence of Mexico and National Hispanic Heritage Month

This exhibit is displayed in partnership with the Consulate of Mexico in Little Rock and the José Sacal Micha Foundation.

José Sacal is undoubtedly one of the most prominent representatives of contemporary sculptural art. Known for his experimentation and freedom, Sacal recognized no boundaries in his sources of inspiration and was not afraid to find new meaning in old forms.

José Sacal: A Universal MexicanJosé Sacal: A Universal Mexican includes two groups of the artist’s work: sculptures inspired by other works of art and portraits of historical figures. In his works, Sacal finds the essence of each character or work. It can be a detail or an object, but the rest is something deeper. By recreating them, Sacal gives them a new meaning and establishes an artistic dialogue at a higher level. In his intelligent observation of art and history, Sacal reveals himself as a universal Mexican.

José Sacal: A Universal Mexican is sponsored locally by Arvest Bank, Arkansas Tech University, Centennial Bank, Hope Credit Union, ISTI Plant Services, Morelos Supermercados, Bank of America, First Community Bank, First Security Bank, and The Ramirez Law Firm, PLLC.

The Arkansas Arts Center Artmobile receives grant from Kum & Go

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Image result for artmobile

The Arkansas Arts Center received a $7,500 grant from Kum & Go to support the Artmobile’s 2019–2020 touring season. 

The Artmobile – the Arkansas Arts Center’s “gallery on wheels” – is one of very few mobile museums in the country, and the only program of its kind in Arkansas. This unique gallery space features themed exhibitions of works from the Arkansas Arts Center Foundation Collection.

The Artmobile’s current exhibition, The Spirit of Independence, takes its name from Kent Bicentennial Portfolio: Spirit of Independence, commissioned in 1976. The exhibition presents a selection of works from the Arkansas Arts Center Foundation Collection that reflect on American history and ideals. The featured works explore movements and moments in American history, from the Great Migration to the Civil Rights and Women’s Rights movements. Other works explore the American experience through the symbols most often associated with the country. Through these works, Artmobile visitors are invited to reflect on their ideas of freedom, democracy and equality.

The Artmobile travels with an onboard educator will help visitors engage with the art and invite discussion in the context of visual arts, geography, economics, English language arts, environmental science, and technology. A curriculum guide offers a wide range of activities that fulfill Arkansas State Standards and frameworks – from quick-start activities to comprehensive lesson plans designed for K-12 audiences. Community Nights provide schools with an opportunity to invite the greater community into the gallery outside of normal school hours.

The Artmobile will be visiting libraries, community centers, fairs, and festivals throughout the state during the 2019-2020 season. When the Artmobile isn’t touring throughout the state, it will also be available for scheduled tours at the Arkansas Arts Center’s Riverdale location.

For more information, follow the Artmobile’s journey online at arkansasartscenter.org/community or on Twitter at twitter.com/ArkArtmobile.

The Arkansas Arts Center was formally established on Sept 6, 1960

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Architectural model of the original Arkansas Arts Center which would open in 1963.

On Tuesday, September 6, 1960, the City of Little Rock Board of Directors adopted ordinance 11,111 which formally established the Arkansas Arts Center.

In July 1957, the City Council of Little Rock granted the Museum of Fine Arts the authority to solicit and receive funds for expanding that museum’s physical plant.  During that process, it had been decided that the museum needed an expanded mission and a new name.  By the summer of 1960, the museum supporters had raised sufficient funds to proceed with constructing the new facility.  Therefor the new ordinance was prepared and submitted to the City Board.  (In November 1957, the City Council had been replaced by a City Board.)

Ordinance 11,111 set forth that the Museum of Fine Arts would be known as the Arkansas Arts Center and that the previous museum’s board would serve as the board for the new museum.  The Board of the Arkansas Arts Center was given the authority to have the new building constructed in MacArthur Park and the existing building modified.  As a part of the planning for the new museum, the City committed $75,000 for the capital campaign.

The groundbreaking for the new museum would take place in August 1961.  Mayor Werner Knoop, who signed Ordinance 11,111, took part in the groundbreaking.

Media attending the September 6, 1960, City Board meeting were more interested in discussion about a potential leash law for dogs within the City limits.

Step into the 1970s with Old State House Museum’s September edition of Nights at the Museum

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Image may contain: outdoor, text that says 'NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM Old State House Museum'Step back into the ‘70s at the Old State House Museum’s next Nights at the Museum event Thursday, Sept. 5, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.!

Get hip to the groove to some disco and soul tunes from DJ Brae Leni (from Brae Leni and The Blackout), or play along with game shows, like “Name That Tune” or “Soul Train” Scrabble.

Come dressed in your trendiest ’70s threads!

As always, there will be plenty of food and libations available to purchase.

Nights at the Museum is an event for ages 21+ on the museum’s iconic front lawn that takes place the first Thursday of each month seasonally, March-October. (In case of inclement weather, the event will be indoors at the museum.)

Arkansas State House Society – Friends of the Old State House Museum, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting OSHM and its programs, hosts the Nights at the Museum.

Admission is $5; food and beverages will be available for purchase at the event. Tickets may be purchased in advance at https://squareup.com/store/ArkansasStateHouseSociety/ or at the gate.

The museum can validate parking at the DoubleTree hotel; metered parking near the hotel is free after 6 p.m.

The Little Rock Zoo wants input from kids

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The Little Rock Zoo is looking for kids ages 7-12 to provide input for the Mayor’s Task Force on the Future of the Little Rock Zoo. Applications can be downloaded from Little Rock Zoo.com and are due by September 10, 2019 at noon.

During the two sessions held on September 14 and September 21, 2019, the Kid Task Force will be asked what they want to see happen at the Little Rock Zoo. Their opinions will be sought on what kind of new animal habitats the Zoo should offer, what new experiences the Zoo should provide and what other amenities should be added.

As a part of Task Force membership, the children will learn about Zoo operations in a fun setting and get a chance to meet some animals up-close-and-personal. The Zoo’s Education Department will lead a series of roundtable assessments with the Task Force that will include creative “play” sessions to uncover creative thought. Such sessions are used in both adult and child settings to encourage unique thought and creative thinking. 

If you have a child interested in taking part in the Task Force, please apply by September 10, 2019, at noon by downloading the application found at LittleRockZoo.com and sending it to mgates@littlerock.gov. Applications may also be mailed to:

Michael Gates
Little Rock Zoo Kid Task Force
1 Zoo Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205