Walton Arts Center supports Everyartist Live!

On November 21, 2013, Everyartist launched Everyartist Live!--a collaborative art event that engages elementary school children across the country, creating the largest art event in history.

Everyartist tiles

Here at Walton Arts Center, we have proudly displayed the artwork on the exterior of our building since January. The art is also currently displayed in museums including Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and The Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Almost 40,000 local children from 125 schools across Benton and Washington counties participated in this project. Laura Goodwin, VP of Learning & Engagement on why this project is important, “Everyartist is a great forum and reminds us that children’s creativity is limitless but requires our support. The expressions of gratitude will be inspirational and I hope will spur our community to insist that every child in Northwest Arkansas have access to quality arts experiences.”

The EveryArtist mural project will remain on our building through June 8. To learn more about this project, check out this video: http://bit.ly/1st5oK5

Semi-permanent Everyartist tiles on display at Walton Arts Center

About Everyartist.me

Everyartist, at its core, seeks to unleash the creativity innate in every child.  The organization is carrying out this mission by creating a national collaborative art event designed to foster the creative development in children around the country.  Numerous research studies and experts in the field believe that supporting the creativity of children and giving them an outlet to express themselves is just as important as the work that is done in Reading/Writing, Science and Math.  Budgets for arts programs across the country are experiencing deep cuts due to education policies, narrowing school curricula, and an undervaluing of the arts experience.  And yet, a growing body of research indicates that the arts are essential for academic achievement, social engagement, and innovative thinking. For more information about the project, visit http://everyartist.me/art

Semi-permanent Everyartist tiles on display at Walton Arts Center

Saying Goodbye to "Out of the Woodworks"

Since 1980, Patrick Dougherty has created over 200 large-scale, site-specific "stickworks" installations made entirely from--you guessed it--sticks. His designs include figures, cocoons, vases, huts and various other monumental subjects. As part of the third annual Artosphere Festival in 2012, Walton Arts Center commissioned Dougherty to create the Out of the Woodworks installation that can be seen standing on Walton Art's Center Tyson Plaza today. 

Construction of "Out of the Woodworks"

Construction of "Out of the Woodworks"

Dougherty is well-known for his installations, which are crafted from saplings harvested from local wooded areas. A carpenter by trade, he began his installation work after studying primitive building techniques using tree saplings as construction materials.

“Sticks are something we all have in common,” Doughtery said of his work. “Everybody knows sticks – the twigs and branches picked up on grandfather’s farm; the branches woven in grandmother’s basket. Somewhere threaded in all the public mass is a common thread, and that thread is the human spirit.”

While the stickworks installation has become an iconic part of Dickson Street, the sculptures were built with a one to two year lifespan in mind, and a plan to recycle the sticks afterward. In order to preserve Dougherty's vision to create something beautiful and temporary that eventually returns to the earth, the sculptures must be removed from their Tyson Plaza location soon. 

Photo courtesy of Ironside Photography

During the Translating Earth, Transforming Sea visual arts reception on May 1, patrons will have one last chance to snap photos, say goodbye, and enjoy the beauty of the stick sculptures. Upon the de-installation of Out of the Woodworks, Walton Arts Center plans to mulch the sticks and give them away as part of the Artosphere Celebration on May 16. Not only does this ensure the sticks' return to nature before they become hazardous, but — it also invites our community, who has become so invested in this project, to help celebrate and be a part of the life cycle of this special project. 

Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help create this installation, and to those of you who have expressed your kind words, taken photos of and shown your interest in a beautiful piece of art with an even more beautiful message. We hope you'll stay tuned for more community art projects as part of this year's Artosphere Festival!

Photo courtesy of Ironside Photography 

Improvised Shakespeare Co. + The Bard's Birthday Bash!

Hear ye, hear ye! Walton Arts Center is thrilled to present its next 10x10 show, The Improvised Shakespeare Company on Wednesday, April 23 at 7:30pm.

The Improvised Shakespeare Company was founded in 2005 and has been performing its critically-acclaimed show at the iO Theater in Chicago for over seven years. Based solely on audience suggestion, The Improvised Shakespeare Company creates a fully improvised masterpiece in Shakespearean prose before viewers’ eyes. All of the dialogue in the show is spoken for the first time, nothing has been planned or rehearsed and the characters are virtually created while audience members watch—each performance is unique and completely new. The night could reveal everything from tragedy to comedy, shown through the themes and language of William Shakespeare. 

Cast of Improvised Shakespeare Company

What couldst make this more exciting, thou asketh?  The performance will take place on Shakespeare's 450th birthday! So, get your tickets to the performance, attend a pre-show Creative Conversation with the cast, and stay afterward for our post-show birthday bash for the Bard! We'll be sure to celebrate with birthday cake, a Shakespeare-inspired drink and plenty of Elizabethan insults and phrases. To practice your Elizabethan phrases before you come to the show, try out this English to Shakespearean language translator: http://lingojam.com/EnglishtoShakespearean

Get your tickets today! http://bit.ly/1gqUGiK

Masquerade Ball 2014

© 2014 Stephen Ironside/Ironside Photography

Walton Arts Center's fourth annual Masquerade Ball recently took place in Baum Walker Hall, and showed all who attended an exciting evening of music, dancing, food and the best Mardi Gras masks in town. The Ball was hosted by Walton Arts Center's Corporate Leadership Council, and is WAC's largest fundraiser supporting arts education. The 2014 honorary chairs of the Ball were Duncan & Cindy Mac Naughton, while Scott Tassani served as the event chair.

© 2014 Stephen Ironside/Ironside Photography

Thanks to those in attendance, this year's Masquerade Ball raised more than $200,000! This number almost doubled our goal, and set a record fundraising amount for Walton Arts Center's award-winning arts education programs, which will give 50,000 children an opportunity to experience the arts this year alone. To learn more about these programs, don't miss this video created by Saatchi & Saatchi X.

© 2014 Stephen Ironside/Ironside Photography

Thanks again for helping us realize our dream of creating a community where everyone has access to the arts!

To view all of the photos from the event, check out our Masquerade Ball Facebook album.

© 2014 Stephen Ironside/Ironside Photography

"Inspiring" -- Audience Reviews on Soweto Gospel Choir

Walton Arts Center was thrilled to have the Soweto Gospel Choir as part of our 10x10 Arts Series last week. Baum Walker Hall was filled with patrons of all ages who gave us lots of positive feedback, and around 1,000 Northwest Arkansas students were able to see the performance through performing arts field trips with their schools--the cherry on top of the Choir's visit to NWA.

If you missed out on this amazing show, don't worry! We still have several 10x10 performances remaining this season. Our next 10x10 show is coming up on Wednesday, April 23, so go ahead and add the hilarious Improvised Shakespeare Company to your planner. You definitely won't want to miss out on a night of laughter with this talented group!

Here are a few more comments we received from you after the show:

“My heart was full! Soweto Choir Rules!"

“Wonderful cultural experience” 

“My favorite 10x10!”

Thank you so much to everyone who came out and made the Soweto Gospel Choir performance such a success! We hope to see you for our next 10x10 performance!

"Amazingly Different" -- Audience Reviews on "LEO"

We had such a fantastic time with "LEO" as part of our 10x10 Arts Series, and judging from the feedback we received, our audience members did too! Baum Walker Hall was filled with theater lovers all ages--in fact, over 3,000 Northwest Arkansas students were able to see this performance throughout the week through performing arts field trips. Our next 10x10 show is coming up this Thursday,  so mark your calendars for the amazing Soweto Gospel Choir on March 6, 2014!

Here are a few comments we received from you after the show:

“It changed my imagination.” -Landon, age 9

“Best thing I've ever seen at WAC. Bravo!” 

“Amazingly different.”

A big thanks to everyone who came and made this a special night!

Clara, The Mouse King and NWA kids!

Back by popular demand, Moscow Classical Ballet's The Nutcracker returns next weekend for four performances. We love this production for many reasons, one of which is the fact that local children get to audition & be a part of the show! 

We held auditions last week and it was a difficult task to make selections as all the children are adorable & great fun to work with. Alas, we had to narrow it down, and here is our final list of stars!

Kaya Beeler 

Grant Bowman

Kaitlin Drake

Madison Gates

Ella Kestner

Paige Koch

Hayden McClure

Wryn Pitts

Sloane Pitts

Makiah Lynn Ragsdale

Julia Rain Sowerwine

Ashlynn Watson

There was representation from many of the surrounding cities, and our finalists come from Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville & Farmington. 

Join us next weekend, December 20-22 as we welcome Moscow Classical Ballet's The Nutcracker back to Northwest Arkansas and cheer on our local performers! 

Thanks for bringing “Hope for the Holidays!”

We had an awesome opportunity this month to partner with the United Way of Northwest Arkansas and help families across our region.

In Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, friends Bob and Phil go out of their way to improve the fortunes of their former commanding officer Gen. Waverly, after the lack of snow ruins his business season. From Nov. 1-16, $1 was donated to United Way NWA for every ticket purchased to Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, running Tuesday, Nov. 19 through Sunday, Nov. 24. (Limited tickets are still available.)

We are excited to say the campaign was a great success! With your help, we were able to donate $1000 to United Way NWA to support a variety of community programs! The mission of United Way of Northwest Arkansas is to build a stronger community by identifying needs around education, income and health, then mobilizing resources to effectively meet them. 

United Way + Community

United Way NWA is part of United Way Worldwide, a service and training center that helps raise awareness about United Way on a national level and sets standards of excellence for local United Ways. Money contributed to United Way of NWA is distributed to programs in our community, to help meet more needs. United Way NWA also has its own initiatives, like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library that provides free books to young children, the NWA Diaper Bank that distributes diapers to community agencies and the 2-1-1 call center that connects families to aid and digs deeper to reach the root of their difficulties.

Thank you all so much for participating and supporting such a great cause! 

An Expanded Starr Theater & More Backstage Space bring more show options to Fayetteville!

Last week, we talked about what renovation means for the WAC lobby, and today we're talking about changes in Starr Theater and backstage.

As we mentioned in our previous post, a critical next step to these plans is the upcoming bond election on Tuesday, Nov. 12. A vote of yes or no will not affect taxes; your vote just allocates funds from the HMR tax. The HMR tax was created to fund projects that increase tourism in Fayetteville.  Walton Arts Center has been the economic engine of Dickson Street for 22 years; arts attendees spend an average of $20 beyond the cost of admission at area restaurants, on transportation, for refreshments and more. (Read more about the economic impact of WAC here.)

For more information on the vote, see 3 Votes for Fayetteville on Facebook, and visit the Washington County website for a full list of polling sites. A map of polling places can be viewed here.

Starr Theater Renovations

• Large windows (with blackout option)
• New, expanded seating
• Expanded space
• Dedicated entrance

 Rendering of Starr Theater by Boora Architects. The circular, yellow chandelier is an example fixture, not part of the design.

Starr Theater will be reoriented with seating toward West Ave., and expanded from 150 seats to 250! A new large window will allow natural light for some events, but the space will still have the option of being used as a black box theater. Seating will remain retractable, so the hall can be used for social events, shows with cabaret seating like our jazz series or as a traditional theater space. Starr Theater will also have its own entrance and lobby space (open to the main lobby) to ease the flow of patrons on nights with two performances. 

What's more exciting for Starr Theater is that once the backstage expansion (discussed in tomorrow’s post) is completed, Starr Theater will have even more dates open for performances! In our current configuration, Starr Theater is used as backstage storage and dressing room space almost 100 days a year. Larger shows like Disney's Beauty and the Beast have such large casts and storage needs; they can't all fit in our backstage areas. Starr Theater will no longer have to moonlight as storage space, and can finally step up and make WAC the two-theater performance venue it was meant to be!

With all this potential, Starr Theater can continue to host the same types of shows it has in the past, and so many more! Our original productions, Digging Up Arkansas and Bear State of Mind, teach local students about Arkansas, are held in Starr Theater. With its independence from Baum Walker Hall's schedule, more series and recurring events could be held in Starr, such as Saturday programming for children, comedy and open mic nights, jazz and more. The possibilities are endless!

Backstage Renovations

• Storage capacity
• Office space
• Crew facilities

Besides opening up more opportunities in Starr Theater, the backstage expansion makes WAC a more attractive destination for performers. Improved facilities will benefit backstage and show crewmembers, by providing them with designated bathroom and shower facilities so they have their own space after a hard and active day. Our administrative offices, which are scheduled to be replaced by a new city parking structure, will be configured into the new backstage area against the parking structure as well.

With these changes, we plan to improve our patrons’ experiences and draw more tourists to Fayetteville for many years to come!

Dickson Street Entrance and Plaza rendering by Boora Architects.

A Renovated Lobby/Plaza Creates a New Destination Space for Fayetteville!

Such exciting things are happening at Walton Arts Center! After 22 years, our building is ready to undergo a major face-lift so it can better serve the growing and changing needs of Fayetteville and the region. The schematic design phase is coming to an end, and we're getting close to the beginning of our renovation plans!

A critical next step is the upcoming bond election on Nov. 12. Your "Yes" vote will designate $6.9 million from the Hotel-Motel-Restaurant tax toward our $20 million+ project. The HMR tax was created to fund projects that increase tourism in Fayetteville.  Walton Arts Center has been the economic engine of Dickson Street for 22 years; arts attendees spend an average of $20 beyond the cost of admission at area restaurants, on transportation, for refreshments and more. (Read more about the economic impact of WAC here.)

A vote of yes or no will not affect taxes, your vote just directs how funds from the HMR tax are spent. For more information on the vote, see 3 Votes for Fayetteville on Facebook, and visit the Washington County website for a full list of polling sites and information about early voting this week. A map of polling places can be viewed here. If the vote passes, construction on the lobby will start this summer! Early voting is going on now at the Washington County Courthouse from 8am to 4:30pm.

In this post, we're talking about changes in the main lobby. Check back later this week, to learn more about other renovations!

 Dickson Street Entrance and Plaza rendering by Boora Architects.

Lobby Renovations

• New modernized entrance
• 15,000 square feet of additional lobby space
• Improved accessibility
• Balcony lobby open to main lobby
• Unified, larger and centrally located concessions/coat check/Will Call area
• Expanded restrooms
• Technical upgrades

The new lobby, and its expansion onto Tyson Plaza, will create a more urban landscape and change the way WAC interacts with Dickson Street. The rendering shows the new central entrance and stairs that bring the building closer to the street and make it a more welcoming space on Dickson Street. This will allow create a destination for outdoor and indoor community gatherings, receptions and special events.   

If you've been to a packed show before, you know how cramped the lobby can be! The new layout will provide much needed space to improve patron experiences, and also opens the balcony-lobby area up for a more inclusive experience.

A new, larger concierge station is planned to serve as a one-stop destination for patrons to pick up tickets from Will Call, use Coat Check, grab booster seats and of course enjoy refreshments! The Box Office will also be relocated closer to Starr Theater (near the current West Ave. entrance) so it is more convenient for all patrons to access. And, ladies, the bathrooms are being expanded! More stalls are being added to the women's restrooms, and the men's to a lesser degree, to help you get in and out quicker, especially during intermission.

 Dickson Street Entrance and Plaza rendering by Boora Architects.

Within Baum Walker Hall, efforts are being made to improve accessible seating, adding more with central sight lines. Technical upgrades are also being made too much of the sound and lighting equipment in the hall. After 22 years, a lot has changed in show technology and an extensive upgrade like this will allow us to book the newest and most exciting performances!

Check back later to learn about the changes in Starr Theater!

“An Inspiration” – Mnozil Brass

We had a phenomenal time with Mnozil Brass for our third performance in the 10x10 Arts Series, and judging from the feedback you all did too! Baum Walker Hall was filled with musicians and music lovers of all ages, and Mnozil Brass did not disappoint! A big thanks to everyone who came and made this a special night. Our next 10x10 show is in January, so mark your calendars for the amazing dancers of Comapgnie Käfig on Jan. 23, 2014!

Here are a few comments we received from you after the show:

“Great show!! Couldn’t keep my mouth relaxed!!”

“The sickest, greatest, most inspirational concert I’ve ever seen!! Bravo!!” – Associate Prof. of Horn at Oklahoma State University

“Literally life changing! –Now to go home and practice.” – OSU Student

 

 

Mnozil Brass in their element!

10x10 won’t be back until January, but in the mean time we’ve got great shows like RAIN: A Tribute to The Beatles, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and Cherish the Ladies: A Celtic Christmas to tide you over!

Mnozil Brass wraps up October 10x10!

This Friday, Oct. 25, we have our third 10x10 Arts Series performance with Mnozil Brass. Called the “Monty Pythons of music”, these Austrians create high-energy concerts with pieces ranging from the William Tell Overture to Bohemian Rhapsody.

We had the chance to ask members Leonhard Paul and Wilfried Brandstötter a few questions. Read them below, then watch a video of them performing – sometimes upside down!

1. Fill in the blank; Mnozil Brass is ______.

Seven instruments, seven characters, seven opinions.

2. What is your most memorable performance and why?

We have done about 2,000 gigs so far, so there have been a couple of memorable things. We have performed in wine cellars and on trucks, on boats and in pubs, for weddings and funerals, in very small (50pax) and very large halls (7000pax). 

3. What kind of art inspires you?

Life.

4. As an artist, is there anything you hope to be able to accomplish?

Sure. Wisdom and respect and a better embouchure. 

5. Who is your artistic icon? Why?

All the great performers! Frank Sinatra, Spike Jones and the City Slickers, Victor Borge, Barbra Streisand, Danny Kaye and many more.

6. What profession other than yours would you most like to attempt?

We are happy as musicians! 

7. What are the three most played songs on your iPod?

Changes daily. 

8. What do you want audiences to walk away with after your performance?

With a smile on their face and a DVD.

9. If there were a feature film created about your life who would play you?

Krasimir Stojakawowsky.

10. Do you have a guilty pleasure?

To play the violin secretly.

11. Music and comedy is such a great combination! Were you born funny or did you study comedy as well?

As we haven’t studied comedy we must have been born this way.

12. What is your favorite meal before a performance?

Champagne.

13. Mnozil? What’s the story behind the name?

We’re named after the cafe where we started playing.

Tickets are still available, so help us welcome these amazing performers to NWA! Join the Facebook Event to stay up to date with all the information on our pre-show Creative Conversation with a member of the Mnozil Brass team, and the post-show party where you can mingle with the performers and enjoy a signature 10x10 cocktail!

Thanks for Supporting Arts + Literacy!

This October, we decided to do something a little different with Information Literacy Awareness Month. In Beauty and the Beast, Belle teaches the Beast to read, highlighting the importance of literacy through the arts. In recognition of Belle’s commitment, we decided to partner with the Ozark Literacy Council to promote “Arts + Literacy,” a campaign to raise money and awareness for literacy in our community. From Oct. 1 – 14, $1 was donated to OLC for every ticket purchased to Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, which is happening this weekend. If you missed out, don’t worry! Limited tickets are still available, and OLC will have information tables set up in the lobby at every performance!

We are excited to say the campaign was a great success! With your help, we were able to donate $500 to OLC to support literacy in our community! The Ozark Literacy Council’s mission it to improve lives by expanding and promoting literacy within the community. Their vision is to ensure that everyone in Washington County possess literacy and language skills that enhance their lives and empower them to become full participating members of our community.

Ozark Literacy Council…

• Is the oldest and largest literacy council in the state.
• Serves well over 300 students from more than 50 different countries.
• Had almost 20,000 instructional hours completed by volunteers last year.
• Offers all classes at no cost.

Literacy is more than being able to read, it’s the ability to use printed and written information to function in society, to achieve one’s goals and to develop one’s knowledge and potential.

Did you know…

• 298,000 Arkansas function at below basic literacy skills. That’s 10.5% of the state’s population!*
• 93 million adults (32.1%) struggle with basic literacy skills nationwide.*
• The U.S. ranks 5^th on adult literacy skills when compared to other industrialized nations.
• Low literacy costs the U.S. $225 billion or more each year in non-productivity, crime, and loss of tax revenue due to unemployment.
• According to LiteracyPartners.org, for every dollar that gets spent on adult illiteracy, society reaps $7.14 in returns — whether through increased revenues or decreased expenditures. Thanks to your help, this campaign could have a $3,570 impact!

Literacy + Community

Besides the donations made to OLC, we also participated in other events in the community to encourage literacy.

On Oct. 8, we joined 5 News anchor Jocelyne Pruna for a funny fairy tale story time at the Fayetteville Public Library. Kids whose parents are involved with them in family literacy activities score 10 points higher on standardized tests. Plus, a mother’s reading skill is the greatest determinant of her children’s future academic success, more important than factors like neighborhood and family income!

Literacy +  Schools

Just like Belle, NWA school children love books, and we wanted to hear about it! The I Love Books Essay Content was held at three area schools that participate in the Northwest Arkansas Writing Project through the University of Arkansas. This was part of our Learning and Engagement literacy initiative. Students from 2^nd-12^th grade wrote essays talking about their favorite books, and two winners were selected at random. Read one of the essays here! Congratulations to our winners: Taylor Caudle of Prairie Grove Middle School and Lexi Willroth of Walker Elementary School!

Beauty and the Beast will be at Walton Arts Center for five performances this weekend, from Oct. 18 to 20. More information and tickets can be found at: waltonartscenter.org/event/beauty-and-the-beast/.

*Based on population size in 2003 when the U.S. Department of Education conducted the National Assessment Survey of Adult Literacy.

“Simply Delightful” – L.A. Guitar Quartet

We had a great turn-out for L.A. Guitar Quartet, the second performance in our 10x10 Arts Series. A big thanks to everyone who came and made this a special night. We have one more 10x10 show this month, with the “Monty Pythons of Music,” Mnozil Brass, on Friday, October 25.

Here are a few comments we received from you after the show:

“Best 10x10 yet!!”

“Great Group, Great Sound”

Our next 10x10 performance features Mnozil Brass! RSVP to the Facebook Event to stay up-to-date with the latest information on the pre-show Creative Conversation, and the post-show party where you can mingle with the performers and enjoy a signature 10x10 cocktail! Watch the video below for a sneak-peak to see that these funny guys mean business!

10x10 is back with Los Angeles Guitar Quartet!

This Thursday, Oct. 10, we have our second 10x10 Arts Series performance with Los Angeles Guitar Quartet! The Grammy® Award-winning group plays across the genres. Their programs have included Latin, African, Far East, Irish, Folk and American Classics that transport listeners around the world! 

We had the chance to ask members John Dearman and William Kanengiser a few questions! Check them out below, then watch a video of them performing.

1. What great advice did you receive when you began your artistic journey?

William: Find the best teacher you can, and do everything he says!

2. What is your most memorable performance and why?

John: We played a concert in a giant lava tube - kind of like a cave created by a huge bubble in an ancient lave flow - on Lanzarote; one of the Canary Islands. It was actually a real concert hall and was part of a whole underground complex of hotels, restaurants and bars. An awesome place! 

William: Doing "Don Quixote" with Monty Python's John Cleese; sharing the stage with one of my comic heroes is something I'll never forget.

3. What kind of art inspires you?

John: I saw a film called 'Gerhard Richter Painting' recently - I like what he does.

4. Who is your artistic icon? Why?

John: I love the Assad Brothers. Of course they're guitarists, they play Brazilian as well as classical music, and for me, they just have the perfect temperament as performers and personalities. They never fail to astound me in every way.

William: Maestro Pepe Romero.  As our mentor, friend and role model, he epitomizes the ideal of the virtuoso soloist, consummate ensemble player and inspirational stage performer.

5. What profession other than yours would you most like to attempt?

John: Restoring vintage motorcycles.

William: Gourmet chef.

6. What are the three most played songs on your iPod?

John: I don't really know but: Recently I listened to “Forrobodo” by Egberto Gismonti in a loop for about 30 minutes. 2 others that come to mind: “The Soleares from En Vivo” by Paco de Lucia.  A tune called “Greenwich Mean” by the guitarist Wayne Krantz.

William: Glenn Gould's 1981 “Goldberg Variations,” “Romance de Abindarraez” played by Jordi Savall and Hesperian XX, "California" by Joni Mitchell.

7. What do you want audiences to walk away with after your performance?

John: That they've heard something new and they liked it.

William: With a new appreciation for the sonic potential of the classical guitar. And a few copies of our CD's, I suppose!

8. If there were a feature film created about your life who would play you?

John: Bryan Cranston, of course.

William: Paul Giamatti!

9. Do you have a guilty pleasure?

John: HBO - there's just too much good stuff on TV these days!

10. Why a quartet? What is so magical about 4 guitarists as opposed to 2, 6, or 8?

John: The Romeros were such an inspiration and we've never really thought about any other formation.

11. Do you have a favorite sports team?

John: Any team that's playing against the Celtics.

William: Sadly, the Los Angeles Lakers.  It's going to be a long year.

 Tickets are still available, so help us welcome these amazing musicians to NWA! Join the Facebook Event to stay up to date with all the information on our pre-show Creative Conversation with a member of LAGQ team, and the post-show party where you can mingle with the performers and enjoy a signature 10x10 cocktail!

"Oh my, oh my!" - AnDa Union

What an amazing kick-off to our 10x10 Arts Series with AnDa Union! Thanks to everyone that joined us last Friday for this performance and helped make it an evening to remember! Our next 10x10 show is this Thursday, October 10 with the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet.

The AnDa Union pre-show Creative Conversation with Tim Pearce (sound engineer and tour manager) and Sophie Lascelles (artistic director) was a wonderful experience.  Tim shared his experience going from a London concert promoter to focusing his work around AnDa Union and working to create the documentary “From the Steppes To The City” with his Sophie, his wife.

If you’ve never been to a performance featuring throat singing, you missed out! The singers of AnDa Union filled Baum Walker Hall with their unique sounds; you could feel it in the air in a way videos can’t capture!

Here are a few comments we received from you after the show:

“Beautiful! Amazing voices. I appreciated the background photos that showed life & scenery in Mongolia. Interesting instruments too.”

“AnDa Union – mesmerizing and thrilling”

“I like the funny noises they made and I like all of the songs.” – Owen, 4 years old

“I’m saddle sore – tearing across the grasslands. Thanks”

 

Our next 10x10 performance features the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet! RSVP to the Facebook Event to stay up-to-date with the latest information on the pre-show Creative Conversation, and watch our blog for a Q&A with some of the members this week!

Introducing...Bear State of Mind!

In 2010, Walton Arts Center partnered with Trike Theater to create Digging Up Arkansas – an engaging Arkansas history production for students in grades 3^rd through 5^th.

Now, a new play has been developed for K-2^nd grades, called Bear State of Mind!  WAC, along with partners Trike Theatre, NWA playwright Ashley Edwards and songwriter Shannon Wurst, produced Bear State of Mind as a way to help students learn about Arkansas. The play uses experiential theater techniques, music and puppetry to meet Common Core State Learning Standards, including Arkansas history and social studies curriculums.  Pre- and post-show lesson plans, activities and materials were developed by our Learning & Engagement Team for schools, to deepen students’ understandings of Arkansas history.

More than 2,000 area students from 14 schools have already seen Bear State this year, and seeing them experience this show has been great!

The story is about Bear, who travels through three of Arkansas’ geographic regions and meets new friends and uncovers native wildlife, folklore and state symbols. The unique staging of the play makes the most of 5-8 year olds’ natural tendency to explore their surroundings; seating them under a tree canopy in a “Magical Forest” to help facilitate their physical participation in the performance.   

Students at a performance of Bear State of Mind. Photos by Ironside Photograpy.

As the students entered the Bear State campground in Starr Theater, they couldn’t contain their excitement! “Wow!” “It’s so dark!” “Oo!” They turned to their friends and giggled in excitement as they followed their teachers inside.

The children sat on their sleeping bags and tarps around the campfire, full of energy, excitement and wonder. Their heads whipped around each time a new sound came through the speakers, crickets and cicadas chirping, a bird’s song, frogs croaking.

Bear State performers Jason Suel, (top right) Shannon Wurst and Julie Gabel. Photos by Ironside Photography.

Performances like Bear State and DUA allow us to bring these benefits to the classroom, and reach students who may not otherwise have access to these opportunities! A recent study showed that field trips to WAC provide students with long term benefits, like higher tolerance and empathy and a desire to participate in cultural activities. For a synopsis of the recent WAC study, visit EducationNext. 

Check out these comments from teachers who brought their classes to see Bear State:

• “One of the best performances I have ever attended with students!” Anne Garrett, Root Elementary, Kindergarten

• “This was a fantastic performance! Students were actively engaged the entire time.  I can’t wait to get back and discuss the content with them.”  Root Elementary Teacher, Grade 1

• “I have always enjoyed Walton Arts Center performances, and this was the best – aligned with expectations for student learning.”  Delia Gorder, Root Elementary, Grade 1

• “Fantastic and engaging show.  Relevant to our kids’ lives and super interesting.  Lots of details & hidden surprises.  Our kids loved it!”  Ms. Ogle, Washington Elementary, Grade 1

• “Probably the best show we have seen!  Very entertaining and age appropriate!”  Washington Elementary Teacher – Grade 1

Bear State performers Shannon Wurst, Jason Suel and Julie Gabel. Photos by Ironside Photography.

10x10 Arts Series Kick-off with AnDa Union!

We’re excited to kick-off our 10x10 Arts Series next Friday, Oct. 4 with AnDa Union! This amazing musicians and vocalists are unlike anything hosted on the WAC stage before. Coming from nearly 7,000 miles away, the young musicians in AnDa Union take you on a hauntingly beautiful musical journey, uniting the diverse traditions and styles of both Inner and Outter Mongolia through all the Mongol tribes that Genghis Khan unified.

AnDa Union

We had the chance to ask the performers a few questions! Check out band members Saikhannakhaa and Chinggel's answers below, and then watch a video of them performing.

• What are you most looking forward to on this US Tour?

We love playing concerts!

• What is your favorite Mongolian tradition? 

Mongolian music

• What size of audiences and whom do you typically perform for in Inner Mongolia? 

Over 1,000 people – especially younger people. 

• How did you learn how to play your instrument? When?

We trained at music school from the age of 13. 

• What makes you unique from other performers?

The way we combine Mongolian music and singing style.

• What are 3 goals of your performances?

That the audience have a good time, that they learn about Mongolian culture and that they leave feeling the world is a better place.

• What do you want audiences to walk away with?

Happy memories of our music, culture and grasslands.

• Was there some great advice you received as you began your artistic journey? 

Be true to your music and your heart.  

• Is there something you enjoy collecting?  

Instruments! And music. 

• What profession other than yours would you most like to attempt? 

A teacher, or maybe start a Mongolian restaurant.  

Tickets are still available, so help us welcome these amazing musicians to NWA! Join the Facebook Event to stay up to date with all the information on our pre-show Creative Conversation with a member of the AnDa Union team, and the post-show party where you can mingle with the performers and enjoy a signature 10x10 cocktail!

Long-Term Benefits of Field Trips to the Walton Arts Center

Some exciting news came to Walton Arts Center this week: A recent study shows that field trips to Walton Arts Center can provide long term benefits to students! Last year alone, more than 50,000 students experienced the arts through programs like Digging Up Arkansas, the Colgate Classroom Series, and other master classes and activities with WAC performing artists.

In tandem with a study on the educational value of museum field trips conducted at Crystal Bridges, University of Arkansas researchers Jay P. Greene and Brian Kisida investigated the long term benefits of student field trips to Walton Arts Center.

More than 2,000 7^th graders from around the area participated in a survey asking about their participation in cultural activities and their values like tolerance and empathy. The students’ answers were analyzed based on how many WAC performances they had been to throughout their school careers. 

For each field trip students took to WAC, there was a statistically significant difference in students’ desire to attend cultural events. And more than that, field trip participation increased student desire to participate in cultural activities, not just attend them. Also notable, the study found that students who participate in arts field trips are more tolerant and empathetic than other students. The study will help educators better understand the important benefits that field trips to arts institutions offer students.