Welcome to a new era for the Southwest Arkansas Arts Council.
Founded 31 years ago this week on Aug. 20, 1986, the Arts Council's mission is concise and clear: "To enrich our communities by experience, expression and education in all the arts."
This column is designed to not only keep residents of the Southwest Arkansas communities informed of musical productions, educational programs, special projects and art classes in various media-from photography to art to sculpture to the performing arts, but also to feature the stories of area artists and backstories of the activities of the council and its members.
As a native of Hope, a former editor of the Hope Star and Texarkana Gazette, and a resident of the Sutton Community in Nevada County, my roots are tied to this area. Those roots are deep, going back to the 1830s, when my great-grandfather Archibald Waddle settled in what was then eastern Hempstead County.
To me, this area is home and I want to work to help make it a better place to live, work, play and raise a family.
In my new capacity as director of the SWAAC, I want to work with and learn from the incredible corps of volunteers that perform the valuable tasks that make this nonprofit organization the "best" nonprofit in the Hope area, according to a recent in-newspaper poll by the Hope Star. It is also my goal to help the officers and members expand the council's projects and programs to surrounding counties-Nevada, Miller, Lafayette, Howard, Little River and Sevier.
The staff, council board and members are already planning to have a Southwest Arkansas Arts Festival in the future, which will include juried shows in various media including paintings, photography, poetry, rural art, short stories, plus others.
Thanks go to all the members, patrons and supporters of the arts council for your support.
But I'm not the only newcomer at the council: Lindsey Honea, Margaret Moss and Alex Chavez are new board members elected to three-year terms.
What has been happening at the council? This summer 30 area students participated in the council's STAR Academy performance, directed by Abby Curry. The 2016-17 performances sponsored by the council and Hempstead Hall were well-received.
The council's performance series for 2017-18 (October through April), with Mike Malek serving as chair, is set and it is truly a series of programs that have something for every resident of the region.
The program series will include:
- Oct. 3-Cirque Zuma Zuma, performances by acrobats from Africa for high school students and a night performance for the public.
- Nov. 7-Global performance artist David Gonzales will present "(Tales) from the Latino World. He will give four performances, three for various school age students and a 7 p.m. performance for the public
- Jan. 21, 2018-"Dreams on Ice." Ice skating comes to Hempstead Hall in the form of "Skatetacular," a show designed to thrill "children" of all ages.
- Feb. 8-"Conversations with Frederick Douglass," by the historian/actor Charles Edward Pace, is a one-man show designed to explore the personality and personal mission of one of histories unforgettable figures. This show will be held for students and the public.
In April the council will present a dinner theater production of a murder mystery written by Hollis.
The council is also beginning to form a regional community theater and is soliciting names from its members and the public. It has been my pleasure to assist in starting three community theaters in various cities in Arkansas and finding a name that is distinctive and "marketable" is essential. For example, Mountain Home's little theater is "Best Little Theater by a Dam Site," Stuttgart's community theater group opted for "Back Porch Players."
Suggestions for names for the proposed little theater group should be sent to [email protected].
Arts council members get special considerations in regard to securing tickets, special members-only viewing of gallery openings and other amenities. Stop by the Arts Council today, or call the council office (870-777-8200) to become a member of this fast-growing organization.