ENTERTAINMENT: ‘Our Art’ exhibit opening at Walton Arts Center
Walton Arts Center’s sixth annual Our Art, Our Region, Our Time exhibition opens with a free evening reception, showcasing more than 100 works by 86 artists from 22 Arkansas cities. The regional show, selected from 659 submissions, runs through Dec. 20 and invites visitors to explore a vibrant cross‑section of contemporary painting, sculpture, photography and mixed media.
The inaugural Spector Craft Prize spotlights Syracuse‑based ceramicist Sharif Bey, whose piece “Raptor Return” will join the permanent collection of Crystal Bridges Museum. Emerging craft artists Merryn Omotayo Alaka, Japheth Asiedu‑Kwarteng, Demetri Broxton, Vivian Chiu and Luke‑Thomas Tokimasa Henderson each receive $10,000 and mentorship opportunities, with a summit slated for Nov. 10‑12.
Music lovers can catch the Grammy‑winning Akropolis Reed Quintet in residence at the University of Central Arkansas, where they lead a student entrepreneurship workshop, a woodwind master class, and a free concert on Wednesday evening.
Dance enthusiasts are invited to audition for Western Arkansas Ballet’s 41st annual “The Nutcracker” and the spring production “Alice in Wonderland,” with slots open for all ages and experience levels.
Literary and educational events round out the weekend: Derrick Barnes receives the inaugural Say It Loud! Children’s Literary Award, the Old State House Museum hosts a home‑school resource fair, and the Clinton Foundation launches its Ideas Matter Scholarship Essay Contest for Arkansas high school seniors.