29 Aug 2016 Arts center plans design contest

Posted at 9:15 AMh in Events by

The Arkansas Arts Center’s Contemporaries auxiliary group is calling on all Arkansans to showcase their inner artist by sharing public art installation ideas for the Arts Center’s Carrie Remmel Dickinson fountain. The winning design will be prominently displayed at the fountain and the artist(s) will win a $1,500 cash prize. Entries are due Friday, Sept. 2.

The contest is being hosted in preparation for the fourth annual Fountain Fest, an outdoor party and fundraiser around the fountain. This year’s Fountain Fest is taking place at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13. Funds raised will go toward purchasing artwork for the Arts Center’s permanent collection as well as Contemporaries projects that support the Arts Center.  

“This contest is so unique because it gives an artist the opportunity to have maximum exposure by having the winning sculpture featured at the Arkansas Arts Center,” said Jessie Walker McLarty, event chair for Fountain Fest. “We can’t wait to see the submissions and will be proud to unveil the winning art during Fountain Fest.”

“Fountain Fest has quickly become one of the Arts Center’s most anticipated events,” said Todd Herman, executive director of the Arkansas Arts Center. “We are so proud and appreciative of the Contemporaries group for their efforts and dedication in seeing Fountain Fest grow year over year. This fun event not only enriches the permanent collection through art that they purchase with the proceeds, but it also fosters the growth of future generations of the Arkansas Arts Center.”

This year’s event will include heavy hors d’oeuvres and libations, music by Luke Johnson & Brian Nahlen, and raffles to win a Louis Vuitton purse and a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle bourbon. The event is sponsored by CenterPoint Energy, Lost Forty Brewing, the Markham Group, Moon Distributors Inc., Staley Electric, Stone’s Throw Brewing and Stone Ward.

Tickets can be purchased at ArkansasArtsCenter.org and are $25 each. Fountain Festbenefits the Arkansas Arts Center and the Contemporaries auxiliary group. For more information, visit ArkansasArtsCenter.org or Facebook.com/FountainFest.