Category Archives: Public Art

Sculpture at the River Market Show seeking artists; 2016 Monument Sculpture Competition winner will be placed at Central High

Posted on by

Sculpture at the River MarketThere is a very rare opportunity for an artist to have their work permanently displayed on the grounds of historic Central High School.  The recipient of the Sculpture at the River Market 2016 Monument Sculpture Commission Competition will have just that chance.  The installation will take place in 2017 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the integration of Central High School.

This will be a $60,000 to $80,000 Award.  Artists selected into the 2016 Sculpture at the River Market Show & Sale in Little Rock, Arkansas will be eligible for the Central High School Monument Commission Competition. Only 50 artists will be selected to participate in the Show and Sale.

The River Market Sculpture Show and Sale dates are April 22-24, 2016.
Click here for a SHOW application.     Deadline to submit an application to the show is January 14.
centralentranceThe site for this year’s contest will be a space where two sidewalks converge to start the curved ramp that will lead to the front doors of Central High School. The site is street level, so the sculpture can be seen from both sides of the street and will be a focal point as you start ascending to the porch and the front doors.
The design should not be restrained by the historical events that occurred at Central High School. The entry can convey some aspect of the events of 1957, but can represent many other feelings such as hope, togetherness, the importance of education, opportunity, or any other positive feeling that would impact students and visitors to this important landmark. It can be solemn or whimsical, or it can be figurative, abstract or interactive.

About Central High School:  In 1957, the nation watched the Little Rock Nine story unfold as nine black students attempted to enter the previously all-white school. With the help of television news, then in its infancy, the events commanded worldwide attention. Little Rock came to symbolize the federal government’s commitment to eliminating separate systems of education for blacks and whites. When Little Rock Central High School was built in 1927, the American Institute of Architects named Central High School, “The Most Beautiful High School in America”. The high school is still operating today and is the only functioning high school to be located within the boundary of a national historic site.

Click here for a drawing of the COMPETITION site and more information about the COMPETITION.

For Show information visit www.sculptureattherivermarket.com or email SculptureAtTheRiverMarket@ymail.com.

Committee for Arts and History Kicks off Campaign for Arts Center, Military Museum & MacArthur Park today at noon

Posted on by

Today at Noon Campaign Kick-Off

Join us in supporting Arts + History at the official campaign kick-off

Tuesday, January 5 at 12 p.m.

The Arkansas Arts Center outside of the Children’s Theatre entrance

The Committee for Arts and History is a group of citizen advocates campaigning for Little Rock residents to vote FOR a bond issue backed by an already approved hotel tax on out-of-town visitors to improve the Arkansas Arts Center, MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, and MacArthur Park in a special election on February 9, 2016.

The improvements are of vital importance for the Arkansas Arts Center to keep its accreditation in 2016, to preserve a National Historic Landmark, and for Little Rock citizens to protect our cultural attractions.

 

2015 In Memoriam – Kula Kumpuris

Posted on by

1515 Kumpuris

In these final days of 2015, we pause to look back at 15 who influenced Little Rock’s cultural scene who left us in 2015.

Kula Kumpuris owned every room she entered.  Whether she was holding court at Satellite Café or at the Capital Hotel, her sparkling eyes, generous smile and warm spirit entranced everyone.

She was devoted to her family and friends, always wanting to know the latest achievements or funny stories. Her zest for knowledge also extended to learning from books and keeping up with current events.

Born in Pine Bluff, she retained her girlhood friends throughout her life. She never shed friends, she only added to them through the various stages of life.

In 2006, her sons and daughter and their families established the Frank and Kula Kumpuris Distinguished Lecture Series at the Clinton School of Public Service in honor of Kula and her late husband.  In announcing the gift, son Dean Kumpuris noted that his parents, always believed “that through understanding, teaching and discussion, the world could be a better place, and they taught us that giving back to the community and the world is important and worthwhile. So, we decided that in keeping with our parents’ teachings, the Clinton School of Public Service was a perfect place to give back.”

For many years, Kula would be on the front row at the lecture series with an open mind awaiting the information from the speaker, and an engaging smile.

She was also a fixture at the annual Sculpture at the River Market show and sale. She charmed artists and arts patrons alike. Even as she found it harder to get around in later years, she was still a regular presence at the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, usually with her friend Jeane Hamilton.

A longtime and active member of the Little Rock Garden Club, Kula Kumpuris cultivated friendships with people from all walks of life as easily as she cultivated plants and flowers.

15 Highlights of 2015 – Sculpture at the River Market expands beyond River Market

Posted on by

0202PeaceIn 2015, Sculpture at the River Market officially expanded outside of the River Market area.

There have certainly been sculptures in Little Rock since the Henry Moore sculpture arrived in the 1970s.  Working with the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, Sculpture at the River Market has located scores of sculptures in Riverfront Park (both in the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden and in other areas of the park) and on the streets in the River Market District.

In 2011, the group started a public monument competition. The first three annual winners were all placed in Riverfront Park. Lorri Acott won the 2014 competition for her sculpture Peace.  Instead of being placed in the park, it was installed at the southeast corner of the intersection of Second and Main Streets.

It has quickly become a focal point in downtown Little Rock.

The 2015 public monument competition was won by Michael Warrick. It will be placed on Chenal Parkway at Chenal Village Drive.

Also in 2015, the sculptures downtown started attracting attention.  Actress Melissa Joan Hart and singer Tim McGraw both took to social media to highlight Little Rock sculpture while they were visiting Little Rock.  McGraw highlighted the pig sculpture at the River Market while Hart praised Rabbit Reach at the corner of President Clinton Avenue and Sherman Street.

The 2016 edition of the annual show and sale will be April 22 to 24.

#GivingTuesday – support a cultural institution

Posted on by

Today is #GivingTuesday. Since most of the cultural institutions are non-profits, please remember them when considering a donation.

 

Culture Turkey – Lord Featherwick

Posted on by

DSCF9009Happy Thanksgiving. Today’s entry comes from the Culture Turkey, not the Culture Vulture.

One of the newer sculptures in Riverfront Park is “Lord Featherwick” by Herb Mignery. It is sited near the Belvedere in the park.

“Lord Featherwick” is part of Mignery’s anthropomorphic series.  It whimsically depicts a turkey with a top hat, jacket, spats, umbrella and monacle.

He is probably very relieved to have made it through another Thanksgiving.

Dr. Dean Kumpuris to be honored by Arkansas Arts Council

Posted on by

Dean Kumpuris 2014Dean Kumpuris will receive the Governor’s Arts Award for Arts Community Development in early 2016.  The Arkansas Arts Council announced today the recipients for next year’s awards.

Kumpuris is being honored for his three decades of work to improve the cultural and civic life of Little Rock. In particular, he has focused much of his work on the revitalization of downtown, the development of the River Market, and expansion of Riverfront Park.

Through his vision and efforts to place public art downtown, in less than 10 years, nearly 100 sculptures have been installed in the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden, as well as in parks along the Arkansas River and throughout Little Rock. He created the annual fundraiser, Sculpture at the River Market Show and Sale, which attracts thousands of visitors to Little Rock each year and features hundreds of sculptures from internationally recognized artists.

He is a gastroenterologist and has served on the Little Rock City Board of Directors since 1995.  He is also the Chairman of the UALR Board of Visitors and a past member of the Advertising and Promotion Commission.