Tag Archives: Clinton Presidential Park

Arts ExtravACANSA is tonight in Clinton Presidential Park.

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acansaEarlier this wee, the newly founded ACANSA Arts Festival announced its inaugural 2014 event.

Charlotte Gadberry, former Little Rock Rotary Club President, founder and current Board President of ACANSA Arts Festival introduced the new visual and performing arts festival that is the result of collaboration with regional arts organizations, local businesses, government and civic groups. She said the festival’s goal is to inspire public appreciation for the arts and enrich the economic and cultural vitality of the region. The festival’s theme is “A Southern Celebration of the Arts” and the Rotary Club of Little Rock Club 99 Foundation is an event sponsor, Gadberry said.

Robert Hupp, Producing Artistic Director of the Arkansas Repertory Theater and Chairman of ACANSA’s Arts Advisory Council summarized the festival’s programming. He said the festival will feature live performances, exhibits, educational opportunities, workshops and other activities throughout Little Rock and North Little Rock over nine days, from Sept. 19-27, 2014.

Additionally, ACANSA Arts Festival Director of Administration, Virginia Young, announced an upcoming kickoff event, Arts ExtravACANSA, to be held Saturday, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on the lawn of the Clinton Presidential Center. Arts ExtravACANSA will showcase a sampling of art and feature gourmet Southern delicacies, a silent auction, and a special musical performance by Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters.

Tickets are $100 and may be purchased through ACANSA Arts Festival by calling 501-663-2287, or emailing admin@acansaartsfestival.org. More information is available at Facebook.com/AcansaArtsFestival/events.

Sculpture Vulture: Eagle of the Rock

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IMG_6178With Independence Day a few days ago, it is appropriate to feature Eagle of the Rock in 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.

Riverfest 2013 Lineup Announced

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rvrfstlogoSugar Ray, Daughtry, Cody Belew, Dierks Bentley, Darius Rucker, Peter Frampton among headliners

Verizon will again serve as the presenting sponsor for Riverfest 2013 – Arkansas’s largest and most popular music, arts and food festival.

The following musical headliners will perform at the main stages:
Bud Light Stage: Friday – Daughtry; Saturday – Sugar Ray, Blackstone Cherry, Bush; Sunday – Cody Belew, Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley.
Miller Lite/Arkansas Federal Credit Union Stage: Friday – Rodney Atkins, Jana Kramer, Darius Rucker; Saturday – Lupe Fiasco, Kelly Rowland; Sunday – Drive By Truckers, Peter Frampton

The festival is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26, and will feature music and activities in Julius Breckling Riverfront Park, Clinton Center Park, Heifer International Campus and the vibrant River Market District in downtown Little Rock. Children 6 and younger are free. Local and regional entertainers will be announced over the next weeks.

Advance tickets go on sale Monday, April 1, at Walgreens stores throughout Arkansas. These tickets are $17.50 for three days’ admission – half the cost of the $35 gate admission.

The advance ticket will be exchanged at any festival gateway for an IBERIABANK wristband that can be used for admission into all three days of food, fun and entertainment along the Arkansas River.

Quantities are limited for half-price tickets, so the public is encouraged to act fast. Visit www.riverfestarkansas.com for a list of store locations selling tickets.

Three-day passes sold at the gate will be $35. Tickets are now on sale online at www.riverfestarkansas.com for $30

Clinton School speaker this afternoon

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During the summer, the Clinton School speaker series slows down from the numerous speakers each week.  They do, however, continue to offer compelling programs.

This evening from 5pm to 6pm, the Clinton School is playing host to Dr. Mindy Fullilove, a research psychiatrist at New York State Psychiatric Institute and a professor of clinical psychiatry and public health at Columbia University.  Dr. Fullilove will give a lecture titled, “Neighbor Like You Mean It: A Social Psychiatrist’s Views on Urban Life in the 21st Century,” about the impact of urban development and renewal on the health and well being of urban residents.

From her research, Fullilove has published “Root Shock: How Tearing Up City Neighborhoods Hurts America and What We Can Do About It,” and “The House of Joshua: Meditations on Family and Place.”

The program will be at Sturgis Hall in Clinton Presidential Park from 5pm to 6pm.

Sculpture Vulture: Harriet Tubman

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In preparation for the opening of the Clinton Library in 2004, a series of sculptures were placed which linked a walkway between the River Market and the Clinton Presidential Park.

One of these sculptures is entitled Harriet Tubman.  Since she was from the era of President Lincoln, it seems fitting to feature this sculpture on this, Lincoln’s birthday.

The bronze sculpture, by Jane DeDecker, depicts Miss Tubman grasping the hand of a young boy and leading him on a walk.  DeDecker captures both compassion and a steely determination in the features of Miss Tubman’s face.  The folds of their clothes indicate that they are on a journey.

Whether their walk is a part of the Underground Railroad or simply a walk along the path in post-war times is immaterial. Miss Tubman understood that there is always some form of oppression one must struggle against.

Etched into the base of the statue (and repeated on plaque on the pedestal) is a quote attributed to Miss Tubman.  “Children, if you are tired, keep going; if you’re hungry, keep going; if you’re scared, keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.”

The statue was originally located in Riverfront Park near the site of the current Game and Fish Nature Center.  It was relocated during the construction of that facility and now anchors the entrance to Clinton Presidential Park.  Harriet Tubman was a gift of Haskell and Peggy Dickinson to the City of Little Rock.