Category Archives: Visual Art

Planning to create Arkansas Arts Center authorized by City of Little Rock

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Twenty-two years after authorizing the creation of the Museum of Fine Arts in City Park, the Little Rock City Council was asked to consider expanding the facility.

By 1957, the existing structure was felt to be inadequate.   There was a desire for more gallery space as well as for more space for educational programming.

On July 8, 1957, the Little Rock City Council passed an ordinance authorizing the Board of the Museum of Fine Arts to be able to raise the funds for an expansion.  This was merely the start of the process which would eventually lead to the creation of the Arkansas Arts Center.

The ordinance allowed for the expansion or extension of the building. It also authorized the museum’s board to accept gifts for the project and to invest those gifts for the purpose of the museum.  Since the museum only received City funds for maintenance and salary, the ability to raise funds for the expansion was key to the future of the institution.

Lastly, the ordinance gave the museum’s board the ability to increase its membership by up to six positions without having to get additional approval by the City Council.  With a fundraising drive underway and a larger facility planned, these additional board members could certainly prove to be key.

The ordinance passed with nine Ayes, zero Noes, and one absent.

Independence Day Eagle sculpture

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With today being Independence Day, it seems appropriate to feature Eagle of the Rockin the Sculpture Vulture.

This was one of the original six sculptures placed in the River Market, back in November 2004.  Sculpted by Sandy Scott, it depicts an eagle taking flight from atop a craggy rock.  The eagle and rock are cast in bronze which is then set upon a limestone base. It is situated on President Clinton Avenue to the west of the entrance to Clinton Presidential Park.

The sculpture was donated by the Jennings Osborne family.  The sculpture and the surrounding area is known as Osborne Plaza.

Final day to visit current Arkansas Arts Center galleries

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At 5pm today, the galleries of the Arkansas Arts Center will close in MacArthur Park. They will not reopen until sometime in the first half of 2022.

While Arkansas Arts Center programming will continue in its Riverdale location and at various partner sites, the galleries, as they have been configured since February 2000, will be changed forever.  When the Arkansas Arts Center reopens in MacArthur Park, there will be new gallery spaces.

The current exhibits are:

  • Pop! Out of the Vault: Andy Warhol’s Little Red Book
  • Then, Now, Next: Reimagining the Arkansas Arts Center
  • 58th Young Arkansas Artists Exhibition
  • 61st Annual Delta Exhibition

Today also marks the final chance to eat at Watercolor in the Park.  Though the famous Petit and Keet Sunday Brunch will continue at the namesake restaurant, this will be the final time to enjoy it in MacArthur Park.

Museum School classes and youth summer programming will continue in MacArthur Park through the remainder of the summer sessions.  The Museum School will start the Autumn Quarter of classes in the new Riverdale location in September.

Party tonight at the Arkansas Arts Center with film premiere, and chance to say farewell to exhibits

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Image result for Delta 60 filmSay goodbye to the 61st first edition of the Delta Exhibition, bid a fond farewell to the Arkansas Arts Center galleries as they are currently configured, and see the premiere of a film about 60th Delta (from 2018) all in one evening!

Tonight the Arkansas Arts Center is hosting a special event.

5:30 p.m. Wine Bar | 6 p.m. Film Screening | 7 p.m. Reception

Join the AAC for the world premiere of DELTA 60, a documentary produced by the Arkansas Arts Center exploring the essential work featured in the Annual Delta Exhibition through the eyes of 10 Arkansas artists whose work appeared in the 60th anniversary exhibition in 2018. DELTA 60 proves the power of art to challenge its viewers – and its makers.

After the screening, join us for hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and music from the film performed live by Isaac Alexander as we say goodbye to the 61st Annual Delta Exhibition – closing June 30.

$10 | Free for members

DELTA 60 was sponsored by the Arkansas Humanities Council, Anne and Merritt Dyke, and the Philip R. Jonsson Foundation.

A Decade of the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden

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Wayne Salge’s SIZZLING SISTERS, one of the original sculptures installed in the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden

On June 25, 2009, members of the Sculpture at the River Market committee and City leaders broke ground on the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden in Riverfront Park.

The groundbreaking followed an unveiling of the design plans for the new sculpture garden, which will be located east of the Peabody Hotel near the Forever a Rose garden and the Jack Fleischauer Garden.

“As part of the continuing improvements to Riverfront Park, we wanted to put more sculpture into the park to complement the new gardens, Peabody Park, and the upcoming La Petite Roche plaza,” said City Director Dean Kumpuris. “At the 2008 Sculpture at the River Market, six pieces were bought through proceeds from the show and sale to be placed in the park in 2009.”

According to Kumpuris, seven new pieces will join a dozen other sculptures in the park and along President Clinton Avenue that have been installed since 2004.

The sculpture garden features natural terraces and walkways. The design creates a space to host receptions, weddings or other events as well as to allow visitors to enjoy the sculptures in solitude.

The seven pieces which will be installed are “Full of Himself” by Jan Woods, “Cascade” by Chapel, “Bateleur Eagle” by Pete Zaluzec, “Sizzling Sister” by Wayne Salge, “Conversation with Myself” by Lorri Acott,  “First Glance” by Denny Haskew, and “Straight and Narrow” by Lisa Gordon.

“This is only the start,” said Sculpture at the River Market Chair Jane Rogers. “In addition to continuing to place sculpture in Riverfront Park, the committee is discussing ways to place public art throughout the city. In the months to come, we hope to be able to make some more announcements about sculpture and public art in Little Rock.”

The sculpture garden is made possible through the support of the Vogel Schwartz Foundation. Robert Vogel represented the family during the ground-breaking ceremony commending the city of Little Rock on their efforts to support the art community.

Happy Father’s Day (with a sculptural flair)

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Today is Father’s Day.   Little Rock has at least five sculptures which reflect the theme of the day.

In Riverfront Park, Jane DeDecker’s THE TIES THAT BIND shows a father helping his son tie his shoes.  It was installed in tribute to longtime Little Rock KATV executive Dale Nicholson.  He had been an active supporter of Sculpture at the River Market.  It is placed near another sculpture by Jane DeDecker, which Nicholson had selected as a memorial to his wife.

Not far from THE TIES THAT BIND is Kevin Kresse’s BREAKING THE CYCLE.  Installed in 2013, it shows a son pushing his father in a wheelbarrow.  At the time of the dedication, Kresse commented the piece is meant to show a father and son who have decided to “switch things up” for a new perspective on life.  Kresse and his son were the models for the piece.

One of the first sculptures placed in Riverfront Park in 2004 was DeDecker’s ANGLERS. It shows a grandfather and granddaughter going off to fish.  This sculpture is located near the Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center.

The sculpture was dedicated in November 2004 a few days before the opening of the Clinton Presidential Center.  it was selected, in part, because it paid tribute to the natural habitat of the area.  Since the sculpture was installed, not only has the Nature Center opened, but the Bill Clark Presidential Park Wetlands were created.

Near the Marriott Hotel, in the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden, is C. T. Whitehouse’s HUDSON’S VOYAGE.  This sculpture is a tribute to his father.

Located near the Arkansas River, it reflects not only the boats and barges which travel by it daily, but is also symbolic of Whitehouse’s father’s service in the Navy and the possibilities that opened up for him.

Lastly, Tim Cherry’s RABBIT REACH is located near the Museum of Discovery.  The sculpture is a gift from Whitlow Wyatt and the Carey Cox Wyatt Charitable Foundation. It was given in memory of George Wyatt and Frank Kumpuris.  Those two gentlemen were the fathers of Whitlow Wyatt and Dean & Drew Kumpuris.

June 2nd Friday Art Night on CALS Library Square

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Image may contain: outdoor, water and food

The Central Arkansas Library System’s Library Square plays host to TWO different 2nd Friday Art Night locations.

In the Bobby Roberts Library of Arkansas History and Art – opening tonight in the Loft Gallery is Melissa Cowper-Smith: Natural Treatment, 2018–2019

Musical Guest: Southern Frayed (country-pop trio)

The Galleries at Library Square – Concordia Hall Gallery presents “Fifty Years of McFarlin Oil: Paintings and Sculpture by an Arkansas Traveler”  He has been making art under the moniker of McFarlin Oil for more than fifty years.

Two other continuing exhibitions include “EMBRAID—Three Northwest Arkansas Strands” in the Underground Gallery, “Part to Whole: The Making of Art, the Artist, and the Artists’ Artist Group” in the West Gallery,

Image may contain: tree and outdoorAlso on the CALS Library Square campus, The Bookstore at Library Square is proud to present 50 works from the Arkansas League of Artists “Members Show” at the monthly event, 2nd Friday Art Night.

Visit The Bookstore six days a week. Three floors of books, gifts, locally made art & jewelry, plus an art gallery. By far the best place to buy used books in central Arkansas. Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm. Gallery open during regular bookstore hours.