Couples: The McClanahans

HER   Elizabeth Bogard (McClanahan)

Where did you grow up: North Little Rock.

Education: Bachelor of science degree, Texas Woman’s University; master’s of fine arts, Instituto Allende, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico. Also, studies in anthropology at the University of the Americas, Mexico, and archaeology and history at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

Job: Professional artist.

Parents: Byron Ross Bogard, White County, and Annabelle Weir (Bogard) of McRae.

Hobbies/special interests: History, music, travel and collecting ethnic weavings and jewelry.

How would you describe yourself: Family-oriented, an artist who searches for knowledge and purpose and the mystery of connecting it all.

Favorite restaurant in the 501: Cotham’s at Scott.

Most enjoyed weekend activity: Painting, estate sales with friends.

Favorite quote: “Stay hungry; stay foolish.” — Steve Jobs

What do you love about living in the 501: I still have family here. I love the beauty of the state and enjoy the wildlife on our property on our lake. 

HIM   William M. McClanahan 

Where did you grow up: Northeast Arkansas.

Education: Bachelor of science degree, Arkansas State University; master’s of fine arts degree, Instituto Allende, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico.

Job: Professional artist.

Parents: Mr. and Mrs. W. McClanahan, Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri.

Hobbies/special interests: Traveling, reading and gardening.

How would you describe yourself: As an ongoing project.

Favorite restaurant in the 501: Tortas Mexico (North Little Rock).

Most enjoyed weekend activity: Creating art and visiting friends.

What do you love about living in the 501: Living in the country on the lake. 

THEM   

Residents of: Toltec Mound Residential (England).

How we met: In graduate school in Mexico through a mutual friend.

The proposal: On the steps of the pre-Columbian Pyramid of the Sun, Teotihuacan, Mexico.

Wedding bells: Nov. 28, 1966, Alton, Mo.

Children: Lauren Elizabeth Boyle of Dallas.

Pets: Our two Mexican dogs, Mariposa and Ramses, died after our return to the U.S.

Family activities enjoyed together: Everything.

More information: After spending many summers there, we moved to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where we lived for 20 years. There is a large foreign population there. We helped build a hospital, chairing an international art auction and ambassador’s gala and ball. Lawrence Rockefeller and Anthony Quinn helped us. Liz served on the hospital board for 14 years. We also worked with the Sociedad Protectura de Animales (local humane society) and housed visiting musicians from America and Europe for the city’s chamber music festival every year. The local library has a house and garden tour to benefit a scholarship program for underprivileged students, and we opened our home for tourists several times a year. At Christmas, we accommodated 450 tourists in one day.