09 Oct 2023 Conway Arts Week
By Stefanie Brazile
Thursday, Oct, 5
Local sewing academy hosts first annual Fashion Show
The first annual Conway Fashion Week Fashion Show is planned for Thursday, Oct. 5, at The Studio Downtown, 1100 Oak St. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for general admission and $50 for VIP seating. Call 501.891.1932 if you want to purchase tickets in advance.
Models will bring Paris to Conway, modeling lines for the upcoming season. The event is hosted by Young Designers Academy, a business founded by Rachel Lovelace to empower youth and adults by teaching the fundamentals of sewing and design. Local boutiques will provide clothes for the fashion show.
“I wanted to put Conway fashion on the map and bring more traction to our local boutiques, small-business owners and local fashion designers,” said Lovelace, founder of Young Designers Academy and RayLove Threads. “I want to create the platform my city deserves by highlighting fashion and creativity.”
Lovelace’s co-host is Najeé Fletcher who owns Najeé Photography. Young Designers’ students will also model garments that they designed and sewed. Local sponsors are supporting the event. “I hope this is the start of many years to come with the Conway Fashion Week Fashion Show,” Lovelace said. “Come dressed to impress in your best suit and evening wear.”
FrIday, Oct, 6
Attend the final Conway Art Walk of the year
The final monthly Conway Art Walk of the year is planned for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 6. Guests are encouraged to pick up a map at The Studio Downtown, 1100 Oak St.
Hosted by the Creative Institute, there will be more than 20 exhibiting artists, live music performances and more events throughout the downtown area. The public is invited to enjoy the free event.
Visit The Central Arkansas Collective gallery
The Central Arkansas Collective (ARC) is a group of professional local artists who have opened a temporary art gallery at 1120 Oak St. On Oct. 6, exciting new work will be displayed. The gallery will be open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the month and by appointment. Follow them on Facebook for upcoming events and news.
ARC will also display some of its most accomplished art at Neighbor’s: An Art Show at the Brick Room, 1020 Front St., from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visit CentralArCollective.com or FayeHedera.com for more information.
FrIday, Oct, 6
Attend the ‘Artist’s Talks’ event
ARC is hosting an Artist’s Talk at 6 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Arnold Innovation Center. The presentation will be given by the creator of the “100 Faces of Conway Project,” Faye Hedera, and is titled “Stories & Symbols: Creating Art That Speaks.”
Hedera will engage with the audience and share photos of her art process that weaves storytelling and symbolism into her work. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit fb.me/e/6OkzUYOoP.
FrIday, Oct, 6
‘Neighbors, an Art Show’
The 7th annual “Neighbors, an Art Show” is planned for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Brick Room at 1020 Front St. A special awards ceremony will begin at 8:15 p.m.
“Engage Management (EM) is thrilled to see the response from local artists for this year’s show,” said Morgan Lefler, director of engagement for EM. “We received over 123 artwork submissions from 56 artists, 37 of whom are new this year.”
The juried show will feature regional artists who painted with the theme Fabric and Folds. The Central Arkansas Collective is collaborating with EM to showcase its artists.
There are categories for all ages and skill levels and five judges will vote on The Engage Award, the Fabric and Folds Award and the Young Artist Award. Additionally, the community is voting on the Neighbors Award winner and a runner-up. Altogether, winners will receive cash prizes totaling $2,000 that night.
“I get asked each year why a property management company is the host of an art show,” Lefler said. “All credit goes to Brent Salter, president of EM. He’s the one with an eye and passion for it!”
Inside the venue, visitors will find inspiring artwork created from oil, watercolor, mixed media, ceramic and other mediums. Also, there will be live music, aerial hoop dancers, poetry readings and an in-person painting of the event from talented artist John Lightfoot.
Outside on Front Street, guests can enjoy food trucks, face painting, a photo booth, live pottery, games, crafts, local business booths, live music, a silk fan dance and a fire performance. Learn more at centralarcollective.com/events.
Saturday, Oct, 7
17th annual Conway ArtsFest
Conway Alliance for the Arts (CAFTA) will hold the 17th annual Conway ArtsFest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7, at Fifth Avenue Park, 600 5th Ave. This event is free and open to the public.
The theme is Unity Through Art, and festivities will include:
• Hands-on art activities for all ages, including air-dry pottery, Gelli printmaking, a tie-dye station, button-making and more.
• Live performances from several Conway Public School elementary choirs, the Hendrix College Choir and local theater companies.
• Stage combat and improvisation presentations by the UCA Theatre Department.
The following organizations will be present to discuss their mission as part of CAFTA’s commitment to engaging the local arts community: Conway League of Artists, Creative Institute of Central Arkansas, UCA Theatre Department, Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, Reynolds Performance Hall, St. Peter’s Artists Collective and the Faulkner County Library.
ArtsFest would not be possible without sponsors. We thank Conway Kiwanis, Children’s Clinic of Conway and Greenbrier, First Security Bank, Game Goblins and Big Poppa Bubble for supporting this year’s event.
The event has always been free and is organized by volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, visit conwayarts.org/artsfest.
Conway Alliance for the Arts is a volunteer-run nonprofit that exists to promote local artistic endeavors and connects the Conway community through ArtsFest and the annual Arts Awards.
