Date: 2025-10-01 19:40:57 |
Mark your calendars and secure your tickets for some of the best the state has to offer in visual arts, music, theater, and more
Anna Torma (Tarnaörs, Hungary, 1952 – ), Lux Garden I, 2006, appliqué and reverse appliqué on linen, 35 x 34 3/4 in., Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation Collection: Purchase, Eleanor Herstein Wolff Fiber Arts Fund. Courtesy of Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
NEW EXHIBITIONS AT AMFA
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (arkmfa.org) in Little Rock celebrates the opening of two new exhibitions in October. “Architects of Being” (Oct. 3 – Jan. 11) pairs the works of immigrant artists Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina. Both were considered trailblazers of their time, setting out to become artists at the start of the Great Depression with influences of cubism, surrealism, and constructivism. Works include sculptures, mixed media reliefs, collages, paintings, jewelry, and clothing on display in the Harriet and Warren Stephens Family Gallery. “Uncommon Threads in Contemporary Art” (Oct. 25 – April 29) showcases works by artists who sew or otherwise incorporate fibers into their art, highlighting the overlap between fine art and traditional craft. Explore the exhibition in the Berta and John Baird Gallery.
Rendering courtesy of Central Arkansas Library System
LIBRARY NEWS AND EVENTS
After two years closed, the Main Library of the Central Arkansas Library System (cals.org)—the Little Rock hub for its 15 branches—reopened its new and improved campus on Sept. 20. In addition to a reimagined facade and lobby, patrons will find some collections have new homes and others have been expanded with more amenities, such as teaching kitchens, podcasting rooms, and an expanded youth center. An on-site location of Boulevard Bread Company will be accessible even outside of library hours, and a rooftop terrace offers an inviting space for special events.
The grand reopening is well-timed with the system’s annual Six Bridges Book Festival (cals.org/six-bridges-book-festival) held this year Sept. 28 – Oct. 5. The festival caps off with a special fundraising event featuring Shelby Van Pelt, author of New York Times bestseller Remarkably Bright Creatures. A $100 ticket includes a cocktail hour, a presentation from the author, and a book signing.
“Sleepy Hollow”
October 9-12
Ballet Arkansas (balletarkansas.org) presents “Sleepy Hollow,” an adaptation of Washington Irving’s short story of Ichabod Crane and the fright he receives one autumn night. With heart-pounding music, a striking set, and thrilling choreography, this is a show that will get you in the Halloween spirit—and one that can be enjoyed by the whole family. See one of six performances between Oct. 9-12 at the Fine Arts Theater at Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in Little Rock.
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival
October 10-18
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (hsdfi.org) celebrates its 34th year with a packed line-up from Oct. 10-18. Scheduled events include both feature-length and documentary shorts, panel discussions with industry leaders, opportunities for students and emerging filmmakers, award presentations, and parties. Screenings take place at The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, with parties and other events happening throughout the city. Options for admission include individual film tickets, day passes, weekend passes, and more.
Photo by Bradley J. Calder
Father John Misty at Ozark Music Hall
October 2
Previously known as JJ’s Live, Ozark Music Hall (ozarkmusichall.com) was rechristened in August. The 2,000-seat venue also received upgrades such as improved sight lines, additional bars and bathrooms, and a reworked VIP and backstage area—all in time for a full line-up of live music this fall. Kicking off the October schedule is Father John Misty, a singer-songwriter known for his offbeat lyrics, folk-rock style, and eccentric stage presence. Other notable appearances this fall include The Head and the Heart, Squirrel Nut Zippers, and Casey Donahew.
Derek Fordjour, Open Swim, 2021. Acrylic, charcoal, cardboard, oil pastel, and oil on newspaper mounted on canvas. 70 in. x 108 in. Courtesy Rennie Collection, Vancouver. Photo: Daniel Greer, courtesy David Kordansky Gallery.
“Get in the Game: Sports, Art, Culture”
September 13-January 16
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (crystalbridges.org) invites visitors to explore an energetic new exhibition focused on the world of sports. From Olympic athletics to backyard pick-up games, “Get in the Game” features photography, ceramics, paintings, mixed media, and digital media all on display Sept. 13 – Jan. 26.
“Geladas” photograph by Trevor Frost. Menz-Guassa Community Conservation Area, Ethiopia, 2015. Part of “National Geographic: Greatest Wildlife Photographs” exhibit and courtesy of The Momentary.
National Geographics’s “The Greatest Wildlife Photographs”
November 22-June 7
The Momentary (themomentary.org) plays host to National Geographic’s “The Greatest Wildlife Photographs,” a collection of nature’s most surprising and delightful subjects captured for the iconic magazine. For 115 years, National Geographic has been at the forefront of wildlife photography, showcasing the patience and technical achievement associated with the practice. Curated by nature picture editor Kathy Moran, this exhibit takes viewers under water, up in the sky, and through the savannas and tundra to experience some of the world’s most extraordinary animals in their natural habitats. The exhibit is on view Nov. 22 – June 7.
“Flying Penguins” photograph by Paul Nicklen. Ross Sea, Antarctica, 2011. Part of “National Geographic: Greatest Wildlife Photographs” exhibit and courtesy of The Momentary.
CULTURE CRAVINGS
21 MORE WAYS TO GET YOUR (ALMOST) DAILY DOSE OF THE ARTS THIS SEASON
SEPT. 11-OCT. 15: “Coordinates” featuring the work of April Burris and Holly Tilley on view at Art Group Gallery in Little Rock
SEPT. 25-DEC. 31: Drop 010: By Design on view at MIXD Gallery in Rogers
OCT. 1-26: World premiere of Malcolm X and Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem at TheatreSquared in Fayetteville
OCT. 2: Ashley McBryde at Murphy Arts District’s First Financial Music Hall in El Dorado
OCT. 2: Spamilton: An American Parody at UA-Pulaski Tech CHARTS Theater in North Little Rock
OCT. 4-5: Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s Opening Night: Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 at Robinson Center in Little Rock
OCT. 4-5: Inaugural Art Fair at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville
OCT. 5: Japanese Breakfast: The Melancholy Tour on The Momentary Green in Bentonville
OCT. 7: Reduced Shakespeare Company: All the Great Books (Abridged) at Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville
OCT. 8-12: Hillberry Music Festival in Eureka Springs
OCT. 10-11: Peacemaker Festival in Fort Smith
OCT. 17-19: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi accompanied by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra at Robinson Center in Little Rock
OCT. 20: Indigo Girls at Reynolds Performance Hall in Conway
OCT. 22-25: Nightmare in the Ozarks Film Festival in Eureka Springs
OCT. 24-26: Mrs. Doubtfire: The New Musical Comedy at Robinson Center in Little Rock
NOV. 7-9: Clue at Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville
NOV. 14: Blues Traveler at The Hall in Little Rock
NOV. 15-16: Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s Beethoven and Blue Jeans at Robinson Center in Little Rock
NOV. 19-DEC. 24: It’s A Wonderful Life at TheatreSquared in Fayetteville
DEC. 3: Old Crow Medicine Show at Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville
DEC. 6-7: University of Arkansas School of Art Winter Art Market at the UA Studio and Design Center in Fayetteville
DEC. 12-14: Ballet Arkansas presents “The Nutcracker Spectacular” with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra at Robinson Center in Little Rock
