Art of Wine: A Toast to Legacy, Community and the Arts

By Kent Starr 

Kent Starr - Photo courtesy of Market Watch Magazine

There was an event many years ago at Walton Arts Center called the Garden Party. As almost an afterthought, a single table was set up with eight to 10 wines, and patrons were offered a sample or two at this table – and from here, Art of Wine was born! From this humble beginning, Art of Wine has grown into an amazing event for Walton Arts Center and Northwest Arkansas, raising tens of thousands of dollars to support arts studies for school-aged children.  

Liquor World has been involved with Art of Wine from the beginning, and proudly supports our suppliers, distributors, the hundreds of volunteers involved, the media and the many school districts that provide access via school buses for the thousands of children that get to experience arts programs at Walton Arts Center each year, due in part to funds raised by Art of Wine.  

Billie Jo Starr and Helen Walton at the opening of Walton Arts Center in 1992.

In the 1980s, Billie Jo Starr and Helen Walton got together and set out to change the landscape of Dickson Street in Fayetteville and the entire Arkansas four-state region with a novel idea: to build a world-class arts center. With tremendous support from the Walton family, Billie Jo, the Starr family and the amazing outpouring from thousands of donors, the center became a reality and thrives today with hundreds of Broadway productions and concerts, in addition to the arts programs for children who arrive on bright yellow busses.   

My mom, Billie Jo, had a passion for seeing Walton Arts Center become a reality and believed that our community could support such an amazing entity. She also loved wine and watched Art of Wine grow from its humble beginnings to an upscale event, including the Reserve Room, that provides thousands of needed funds for arts programs. It was Billie Jo’s vision to present the arts to everyone. We are proud to be a part of that continued legacy. 

Billie Jo Starr

She had a deep passion for the enrichment of children through the arts.  It would always bring a smile to her face to see the big yellow school buses pull up to Walton Arts Center.  When she would see all those excited, smiling faces it brought her so much joy.  It gave her immense gratification to know that Art of Wine was a catalyst for exposing children to the arts and inspiring so many of them to pursue their dreams.  

Liquor World, with the great support of our distributors, has helped to keep Billie Jo’s passion and dreams alive each year at Art of Wine and it is certainly an honor to her legacy that Starr Theater was named accordingly. Our family is very proud of the drive that Billie Jo had for the arts and her legacy will live on forever.

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Come one, come all! Art of Wine fundraiser returns for its 23rd year on Friday, July 11, and you are invited to sip, savor and step into something spectacular. This year, expect a circus of flavor, featuring bites from your favorite Northwest Arkansas restaurants, hundreds of curated wine samplings and innovative non-alcoholic options from local vendors. Raise your glass to a good cause – as always, all proceeds go to support arts education and programming for local students. Step right up and get your tickets now.

Sip and Savor a Circus of Flavor at Art of Wine

Come one, come all! Step into a world under the big top at Walton Arts Center’s Art of Wine. Sip and savor a circus of flavor, featuring nationally recognized wines and sample bites from Northwest Arkansas favorites on Friday, July 11 at 8 pm. In its 23rd year, Art of Wine continues to be a crowd favorite among Arkansans and visitors from across the country. Raise your glass to a good cause – all proceeds go to support arts education and programming for local students – while enjoying an extravagant grown-up only night out, ages 21+! 

General admissions tickets, $95 each, welcome guests into a world of splendor featuring bites from more than 25 restaurants, hundreds of curated wine samplings and innovative non-alcoholic options all from local venders. 

Elevate your experience with a Reserve Room ticket. This space gives true wine aficionados an exclusive experience. In addition to the general admission spaces, you ‘ll have a dedicated entrance and access to a private Reserve Room featuring a special selection of wines and additional restaurant options. Reserve Room tickets are $225.  

Be the first to taste the collection of bites and wines with an Express Pass. Add this $25 option to a Reserve Room or general admissions ticket and get early entry at 7:30 pm and be the first to sample your favorite vintages.  

All guests can browse and purchase themed Art of Wine merch designed by local screen-printing studio Hi-Fin and guaranteed to captivate any audience. Local artists will also contribute to this indulgent, immersive experience with tin type photos and tarot card readings.  

Reminisce on the night of grandeur! Sip from limited edition commemorative glassware featuring the themes and motifs of the evening. Have the first edition of these glasses and collect them year after year! 

Attendees will enjoy more than just a unique curation of wine and hors d’oeuvres, knowing that all proceeds from Art of Wine directly support Walton Arts Center’s arts education initiatives. Donations expand access to the arts in Northwest Arkansas, ensuring over 25,000 students and educators experience live performances annually, many for the first time, at no cost.  

Indulge in hundreds of wines, sample the flavors of top local restaurants and enjoy local entertainment. Don’t balance on the tightrope, Art of Wine is the summer event you do not want to miss.  

Tickets can be purchased by visiting waltonartscenter.org, by calling 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am until 5 pm or in-person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am until 2 pm. You must be 21 or older to purchase tickets.    

Art of Wine: A Summer Camp Experience for Adults

Even adults should get to go to summer camp, right?! That’s the thought behind this year’s Art of Wine annual fundraiser. Guests will have a nostalgic camp-themed experience along with hundreds of wines and beverages and bites from local restaurants for sampling 8-11 pm on Friday, July 12.

Throughout the evening, all guests can enjoy live entertainment, fire pits with s'mores, lawn games, movie screenings, and other surprises.

For the first time, the event will also feature themed merchandise for sale designed by local artist Alex Bodishbaugh King. Here’s a sneak peek of just two of the many items that will be able to purchase.

Guests who donate to Walton Arts Center’s Pack the WAC initiative at the event can make and take friendship bracelets, screen-printed pennants, custom wood-burned coasters and botanical-themed temporary tattoos! 

You will love the variety of wines and other beverages offered at the event this year. Along with the nostalgic and immersive theme, Art of Wine is the summer event you don’t want to miss.

General admission tickets are $95. Reserve Room tickets are $200 while supplies last. In addition to the general admission spaces, Reserve Room tickets give you a dedicated entrance and access to the exclusive Reserve Room with premier selections of wines and additional restaurant options. 

Want to beat the crowd? Add the Express Pass for $25 per person to your Reserve Room or general admission tickets and get early entry to the event at 7:30 pm and be the first to taste your favorites! 

Even after 22 years, Arts of Wine continues to be a favorite of both Arkansans and visitors from across the country. Enjoy a grown-ups-only night out, ages 21+, while also supporting arts education! 

Adult Summer Camp Like No Other at Art of Wine

Walton Arts Center’s Art of Wine fundraiser will make you feel like you are enjoying the taste of Napa Valley right here in Northwest Arkansas. This event is one of the South’s premier wine-tasting events on Friday, July 12 at 8 pm. Even after 22 years, Arts of Wine continues to be a favorite of both Arkansans and visitors from across the country. Enjoy a grown-ups only night out, ages 21+, while also supporting arts education!

“This year, our annual Art of Wine fundraiser takes inspiration from the magic of summer camp,” explained Elyse Partee, development product specialist for Walton Arts Center. Guests can explore hundreds of wines and beverages – plus sample bites from local restaurants – as they’re immersed in the nostalgia of a camp-inspired night out, for grown-ups. 

General admission tickets give guests a great camp-themed experience with hundreds of wines and beverages – plus sample bites from local restaurants – for sampling throughout the night. 

“True wine aficionados don’t want to miss out on the Reserve Room,” Partee told us. “Guests who purchase Reserve Room tickets have exclusive access to an intimate space with premium wines and restaurants in addition to the rest of the event.”  

New this year is the All-Access Package – perfect for those who want an exclusive group experience. This package gives up to 16 guests early entry to the event at 7:30 pm, full event access including the Reserve Room and a private backstage lounge exclusively for the group with dedicated bar service throughout the night, light hors d’oeuvres and more. A limited number of All-Access Packages are available at $5,000 each.  

Additionally, all guests have a fun opportunity to help Walton Arts Center reach its fundraising goals when they visit one of the three bonus stations inspired by favorite hands-on camp activities, including friendship bracelets, screen-printing and wood engraving. Guests who donate to Walton Arts Center’s Pack the WAC initiative at the event can make and take these keepsakes! Donations at Art of Wine support programming that expands access to the arts in Northwest Arkansas.  

“As a non-profit organization, donations ensure over 25,000 students and educators experience live performing arts annually, many for the first time, at no cost,” Partee explained when asked about the importance of Pack the WAC initiative. “There are 1,200 seats in Baum Walker Hall, Walton Arts Center’s main performance space and each $15 donation represents one student in our community in a seat for a Classroom Series performance, so let’s “Pack the WAC!”  

Guests will love the variety of wines and other beverages offered at the event this year. Along with the nostalgic and immersive theme, Art of Wine is the summer event you do not want to miss. Tickets are available for purchase at waltonartscenter.org, by calling 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am until 5 pm or in-person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am until 2 pm.