Fan-Favorite Dover Quartet Returns with Edgar Meyer

You know them and you love them – Grammy®-nominated Dover Quartet is teaming up with Grammy-nominated composer and bassist Edgar Meyer for an evening of exquisite chamber music. This returning favorite of Artosphere Arkansas’ Arts + Nature Festival will take the stage on Saturday, May 17 at 8 pm.  

It’s a night of world-class music performed by one of the greatest string quartets of this century according to the BBC ,and Meyer, hailed by The New Yorker as “the most remarkable virtuoso in the relatively un-chronicled history of his instrument.”   

The Dover Quartet is the Penelope P. Watkins Ensemble in Residence at the Curtis Institute of Music and holds additional residencies at Northwestern University and the Artosphere festival. The group’s awards include a stunning sweep of all prizes at the 2013 Banff International String Quartet Competition, grand and first prizes at the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition and prizes at the Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition.  

The Dover Quartet’s Grammy-nominated recordings include its highly acclaimed three-volume recording, Beethoven Complete String Quartets (Cedille Records), which was hailed as “meticulously balanced, technically clean-as-a-whistle and intonationally immaculate” (The Strad) and The Schumann Quartets (Azica Records).  

Meyer’s uniqueness in the field was recognized when he became the only bassist to be awarded the Avery Fisher Prize in addition to a MacArthur Award. He was honored with his sixth and seventh Grammy Awards this year for the album As We Speak with Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain, Rakesh Chaurasia and Meyer, released in May 2023. Meyer last performed at Walton Arts Center in November 2023 with Fleck, Hussain and Chaurasia.   

Tickets are $10 and 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.    

Learn More About Artosphere! 
Artosphere celebrates art, music and nature by spotlighting artists and performers from around the world who are inspired by nature. The festival also provides a creative framework for the community to discuss issues of sustainability and environmental awareness.  

The multi-week festival features a mix of free and low-cost events, including some special performances as well as concerts in sacred spaces and special places throughout the region. 

Fayetteville Artosphere Events You Will Love!

Walton Arts Center is bringing a mix of free and low-cost events and performances right to your backyard as part of the annual Artosphere: Arkansas’ Arts + Nature Festival May 1-18.  The multi-week festival features some special performances as well as concerts in sacred spaces throughout the region, including several events in Fayetteville.  

Artosphere celebrates art, music and nature by spotlighting artists and performers from around the world who are inspired by nature. The festival also provides a creative framework for the community to discuss issues of sustainability and environmental awareness.    

Inspired by local herbal and botanical ingredients, join us for Cocktails in the Garden on Saturday, May 3 at 4 pm and learn how to make two nature-themed cocktails while enjoying light snacks. This class is part of the Artosphere Arts + Nature Festival and will take place outdoors in the beautiful Bradberry Rose Garden. Must be 21 or older to participate and tickets are $45. 

Explore a buzzing, humming hive of activity as human-sized bees with Polyglot Theatre’s Bees at Fayetteville Public Library. Watch as these bees busy themselves in the community creation alongside children who can transform into bees as they play. Inspired by the mysterious life and work of bees, this re-imagining of public space involves the slow uncovering of an intricate unseen world.   Bees is free and open to the public at 9:30 am and 11 am on Wednesday, May 14, 4 pm on Thursday, May 15 and at 2 pm on Friday, May 16. Bees will also make an appearance at Family Arts in the Park on Saturday, May 17 at Luther George Park in Springdale, along with food trucks, a face painter and live music.  

Friends and songwriting partners, Trout Fishing in America’s Keith Grimwood and Ezra are performing as part of Artosphere on Tuesday, May 6 at 6:30 pm. This nationally touring duo has traveled over a million miles and performed in all 50 states, parts of Canada and Europe. They write music for people who take their fun seriously, and their dynamic sound, relatable lyrics and unique stage presence offer something for everyone. Register for free online, bring your lawn chairs and blankets and join us for a family-friendly concert on BGO’s Great Lawn.   

Artosphere’s signature event is back with live art, music and activities for kids and families on Friday, May 9! The Upper and Lower Ramble are the home of Trail Mix this year, exploring the convergence of art and nature in the forest canopy and pathways through Tanglewood Creek, Fay Jones Woods and the newly constructed public space, Upper Ramble. Trail Mix is a free event that features Backyard Bugs, Sarah Reed and Michael Hannah woodwind duo, Fayetteville High School Steel Pan Band, Dandelion Heart, University of Arkansas World Music Ensemble, energetic musical group Squonk and entertainers from Inspyral Circus.     

With both bird watching and live music, Taking Flight: Woodwind Quartet and Bird Watching on Friday, May 16 at 6 pm emphasizes meaningful observation and mindfulness. NWA Land Trust will lead guided bird watching, providing binoculars to the first 40 people who register. Local musicians will perform Haydn's String quartet in C major Opus 33 No. 3 "The Bird."   

To see a full lineup of Artosphere events, including live music and shows for kids, please visit waltonartscenter.org/artosphere. Except where noted below, additional information, tickets or reservations for these events are available now at artospherefestival.org, by calling 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am-5 pm or in person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am-2 pm.  

Enjoy Free Artosphere Events May 1-18

Walton Arts Center is bringing a mix of free and low-cost events and performances to NWA as part of the annual Artosphere: Arkansas’ Arts + Nature Festival May 1-18.    

Artosphere celebrates art, music and nature by spotlighting artists and performers from around the world who are inspired by nature. The festival also provides a creative framework for the community to discuss issues of sustainability and environmental awareness.   

The multi-week festival features a mix of free and low-cost events, including some special performances as well as concerts in sacred spaces and special places throughout the region. Several Artosphere favorites are back this year including Trail Mix, Tunes on the Trail, Trout Fishing in America as well as free workshops and interactive art experiences.   

Returning this year, experience music, nature and movement collide in this interactive listening experience, Tunes on the Trail! Throughout May, you can enjoy a curated playlist featuring some of the Artosphere Festival Orchestra’s most beloved performances from the past 11 seasons as you use one of Northwest Arkansas’s trail systems listed below. Experience art in nature by scanning the QR code on the signage placed at each trailhead.   

Trout Fishing in America

Explore a buzzing, humming hive of activity as human-sized bees at Fayetteville Public Library May 14 –16. Watch as these bees busy themselves in the community creation alongside children who can transform into bees as they play. Inspired by the mysterious life and work of bees, this re-imagining of public space involves the slow uncovering of an intricate unseen world.   

Friends and songwriting partners, Trout Fishing in America’s Keith Grimwood and Ezra are performing as part of Artosphere on Tuesday, May 6 at 6:30 pm. This nationally touring duo has traveled over a million miles and performed in all 50 states, parts of Canada and Europe. They write music for people who take their fun seriously, and their dynamic sound, relatable lyrics and unique stage presence offer something for everyone. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and join us for a free family-friendly concert on BGO’s Great Lawn.   

Nimbus Dance

Artosphere’s signature event features live art, music and activities for kids and families! The Upper and Lower Ramble are the home of Trail Mix this year, exploring the convergence of art and nature in the forest canopy and pathways through Tanglewood Creek, Fay Jones Woods and the newly constructed public space, Upper Ramble. Trail Mix is a free event that features Backyard Bugs, Sarah Reed and Michael Hannah woodwind duo, Fayetteville High School Steel Pan Band, Dandelion Heart, University of Arkansas World Music Ensemble, energetic musical group Squonk and entertainers from Inspyral Circus.    

Just after Trail Mix, join us back at Walton Arts Center for Nimbus Dance. This group bridges the gap between world-class performances and community engagement by presenting work that challenges while also speaking to and elevating the core beliefs of its diverse audience. Don’t miss this iconic performance on Friday, May 9 at 8 pm. Tickets are only $10! 

You won’t want to miss the rest of our free Artosphere events like Railyard Live, Yoga on the Mountain, Recycled Workshops with Shannon Green, Music on the Glade and many more! 

To see a full lineup of Artosphere events, including live music and shows for kids, please visit waltonartscenter.org/artosphere. Except where noted below, additional information, tickets or reservations for these events are available now at artospherefestival.org, by calling 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am-5 pm or in person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am-2 pm. 

Feel the Beat with Havana Hop

Havana Hop follows young Yeila who dreams of being a superstar, but her lack of confidence gives her awful stage fright. With advice from her mother and mentors, Yeila begins to understand her Cuban roots and build her confidence. In this dynamic, multi-cultural show, the audience gets to dance along as one actress portrays three generations of lively women and infuses a salsa-style flair into hip-hop.   

This powerful one-woman show by Paige Hernandez is presented on Monday, May 12 at 7 pm as part of the annual Artosphere Arts + Nature Festival. This is a fun show for young kids, and tickets are just $10. 

The performance is written, choreographed and performed by Hernandez, a multidisciplinary artist who is critically acclaimed as a performer, director, choreographer and playwright. As an AEA equity actress, Hernandez has performed on many stages throughout the country. She has collaborated with the Lincoln Center and has been commissioned by several companies including the National New Play Network, the Smithsonian, The Kennedy Center, La Jolla Playhouse and the Glimmerglass Festival.   

She is the recipient of an individual artist award from the Maryland State Arts Council as well as four Helen Hayes nominations for choreography, directing and performance. Hernandez has also been named a classroom hero by The Huffington Post, a citizen artist fellow with the Kennedy Center, 40 under 40 by The Washington Post and one of six theater workers you should know by American Theatre Magazine.   

Her work on inclusive spaces and theater-based trauma-informed practices has received international acclaim and garnered her such acknowledgement as the inaugural Victor Sharga leadership award and recognition as a repeat keynote speaker and presenter for Disney.   

Hernandez was recently named one of the top five most produced artists in theater for young audiences. She is elated to be the associate artistic director of Everyman Theatre in her hometown of Baltimore. With her company B-FLY ENTERTAINMENT, Hernandez continues to develop and tour original work internationally.  

This is a show that the kiddos will love! Purchase tickets 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.

A Variety of Artosphere Activities Offered in Fayetteville

Artosphere Festival celebrates art, music and nature with exciting performances, activities and events that the whole family can enjoy throughout May. Enjoy a multitude of Artosphere events located right here in Fayetteville! 

We have three events that are perfect for the whole family, starting with Trout Fishing in American on Tuesday, May 7 at 6:30 pm. An Artosphere favorite event, Grammy®-nominated Trout Fishing in America, Ozark natives Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet return to Northwest Arkansas to perform the music that has captured the hearts and imaginations of audiences of all ages for more than four decades. Join us for a free family-friendly concert at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks. Next up is Trail Mix, Artosphere’s signature event that features live art, music and activities for kids and families, on Friday, May 10 at 5 – 7 pm. The J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Gathering Glade at the Fayetteville Public Library and the Lower Ramble are the home of Trail Mix this year, exploring the convergence of art and nature in the forest canopy and pathways through Tanglewood Creek and Fay Jones Woods. Trail Mix is a free event that features Ragtaggle, Backyard Bugs, March to August and Harpist Devanee Williams, chalk artist Amber Perrodin and a special art activity led by Shannon Green. 

On Saturday, May 11 at 8 pm, you can enjoy a curated screening by Fayetteville Film Fest. This screening features several short films by independent creators based on nature, enriching our understanding of the planet and sparking conversations about sustainability.  Tickets are $15. 

The Artosphere Festival Orchestra will perform for the first time this season on Tuesday, May 14 at 7 pm with American Soundscapes. The 90-member Artosphere Festival Orchestra will converge in Northwest Arkansas for its twelfth season. Under the baton of internationally acclaimed Maestro Corrado Rovaris, the AFO features premier musicians from major symphonies, prestigious ensembles and distinguished programs across the globe performing both classic and new works by leading composers. Don’t miss your chance to see this world-class orchestra for their final performances. Tickets are $10. 

A special thank you to our Friends of Artosphere for their additional support. Artosphere Festival is sponsored by Walmart. Premier Artosphere Festival support is provided by Kelly & Marti Sudduth. Artosphere Festival Orchestra Principal support for Maestro Corrado Rovaris and Dover Quartet is provided by Reed and Mary Ann Greenwood. Artosphere Festival Orchestra Show Underwriters are Greg & Hannah Lee and Peter B. Lane & Barbara Putman. Artosphere Festival is made possible by Tyson Foods and the generosity of all our Friends of Artosphere.  

With over 30 events in communities across Northwest Arkansas, Artosphere has something for everyone. Check out our website for a full listing of events including yoga sessions, shows and workshops for kids, music in the outdoors and so much more.   

Tickets to these and other Artosphere performances and events 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.     

Ticketed Performances   

Dover Quartet  

7 pm | Saturday, May 11 | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church   

Tickets: $15  

Compagnia TPO’s ERBA – A Forest in the City  

6:30 pm | Tuesday, May 14 and Wednesday, May 15 | Walton Arts Center  

Tickets: $10  

Artosphere Festival Orchestra  

Verdi’s Requiem  

Corrado Rovaris, Musical Director   

8 pm | Sunday, May 18 | Walton Arts Center  

Tickets: $15-50  

360 ALLSTARS  

7 pm | Tuesday, May 21 | Walton Arts Center  

Tickets: $10  

   
Free Events and Performances    

Recycled Bead Flowers Workshop  

2 pm | Saturday, May 11 | Fayetteville Public Library Art & Movement Room  

Paper Mums Workshop  

4:30 pm | Thursday, May 16 | Fayetteville Public Library Teen Project Room  

Nature Sensory Play  

9:30 am | Friday, May 17 | Fayetteville Public Library Youth Craft Room  

Jazz on the Mountain featuring Backbeat Jazz  

6 pm | Thursday, May 23 | Mount Sequoyah, Fayetteville  

Free but ticketed event  

Partner and Artosphere-sponsored Events  

First Thursday  

Sponsored by Artosphere  

5:30-9 pm | Thursday, May 2 | Downtown Fayetteville Square  

Free  

Arkansas Pottery Festival  

May 3-5 | Community Creative Center, Fayetteville  

Free 

Railyard Live presents The Cate Brothers & The Nace Brothers   

Sponsored by Artosphere  

7 pm | Friday, May 3 | Butterfield Stage, Downtown Rogers  

Tickets: Free-$30 available at railyardlive.com  

Square 2 Square Starting Line featuring The Juice  

Sponsored by Artosphere  

7-9:30 am | Saturday, May 4 | Walker Park, Fayetteville  

Square 2 Square registration is $35 for adults 14 and up / $20 for youth 13 and under  

Register at Fayetteville-ar.gov  

Yoga on the Glade  

Sponsored by Artosphere  

6 pm | Monday, May 6 | Fayetteville Public Library  

Free  

Artosphere presents Mountain Street Stage: Aaron Smith with Still on the Hill and Friends  

Sponsored by Artosphere   

2 pm | Sunday, May 12 | Fayetteville Public Library  

Free  

Artosphere Main Stage at Strawberry Festival  

noon-6 pm | Sunday, May 19 | Downtown Fayetteville Square  

Free 

Artosphere Brings the Indie Film Festival

Films, no matter their plot, have the power to create change across communities, elicit emotions and start conversations. Fayetteville Film Festival and Walton Arts Center are thrilled to highlight these incredible films focused on sustainability and our environment on Saturday, May 11, at 8 pm.   

This mini-film festival, presented as part of Artosphere, showcases filmmakers and honors their stories and artistic expression. This is one of four collaborative film showcases between the two arts organizations this season.  

This screening features several short films by independent creators based on nature, enriching our understanding of the planet and sparking conversations about sustainability. Learn more about each film here: 

Directed by Ethan Edwards, Joan and the Rolling Stone follows a young woman who finds answers to her own grief when she embarks on a journey with a talking bowling ball. This film was screened at the Fayetteville Film Fest and the New York Shorts International Film Festival. Edwards got his inspiration for the film from reading lots of Sam Shepard one-acts. He felt the absurdity of the plays helped get him into a headspace where a talking bowling ball became a plausible storyline. When asked what he wanted viewers to take away from his film, Edwards said, “life is continually interesting.”   

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Set in 1984, Radio Telescope, a former NASA scientist and his young son make a discovery in a make-shift laboratory located in their garage. The inspiration for Radio Telescope came from director Tyler Beard’s love of sci-fi mystery movies that he grew up watching. Beard also knew he wanted to create a film based in the 1980s, since it was something different than his other films. Ultimately, Beard hopes audiences can grab a bag of popcorn and just enjoy the film. 

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The Countryman tells the story of bitterness that threatens to destroy a small farming community until a stranger arrives with a curious proposition. The film is set during the great depression and is a fantasy, drama style. Director Andy Kastelic is best known for creating iconic films such as The Misanthrope, St Augustine, Torchlight and Typhoon. He is hailed as an independent visionary and a brilliant filmmaker in the industry. 

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Directed by Shayan Naghibi, The Last Snow shows how everything can disappear like the fall of the last snowflake. Naghibi is 22 years old and has directed multiple short animation films. Naghibi explained that The Last Snow is his first experimental film, and it has met with critical acclaim. He has won two awards for the film.  

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Green Eyes, directed by Joe Ramos, is an exploration of the “what ifs” that appear in an ending relationship. Ramos can easily be described as a wholesome, adventurous and imaginative filmmaker. He loves to highlight interpersonal storytelling in his work as well as challenging both visuals and themeswith a fresh perspective. 

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In The Perfect Day, Charlie Hoover, an aspiring ad man living in his van, eagerly answers a job posting to videotape Linda Lindell’s online life coaching series. However, the gig quickly evolves into indoctrination to Linda’s peculiar methodology as the two form an unlikely bond in pursuit of completing the ‘perfect day.’ This narrative short film is directed by Virgile Beddok, Daniel Breithaupt and Jonathan Frey, and the film has enjoyed a successful festival run including a screening at the Houston Comedy Film Festival in 2023.  

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Mermagic, directed by Brian Du, is the story of Lucy who is granted three wishes by Marina the Magic Mermaid. The catch is, things don’t quite go according to plan. Du is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and he is an award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker. He loves to create unique stories that pursue Asian American and Pacific Islander representation and diversity and inclusion. Du has won two awards for this film. 

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The world has gone quiet, Three Ninety Five, directed by Nicholas Thurkettle, is about a nameless traveler who has no home, no memory and is searching for fellow survivors along a remote highway. When asked to describe his film in one sentence, Thurkettle said, “a nameless wanderer searches for fellow survivors in a world gone quiet.” Thurkettle shot his film near and along the actual U.S. Highway 395 in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. 

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Tickets to all these film showcases are available now for $15 plus applicable fees. Purchase tickets 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.  

The last showcase for the season is LGBTQIA+ Filmmakers at 8 pm on Thursday, June 13. 

Bentonville is Full of Artosphere Activities

Artosphere Festival celebrates art, music and nature with exciting performances, activities and events that the whole family can enjoy throughout May. You can join the Artosphere fun in Bentonville at these events.   

All month long you can enjoy Tunes on the Trail, a completely free opportunity to combine music, movement and nature. Enjoy a curated playlist featuring some of the Artosphere Festival Orchestra’s most beloved performances from the past 11 seasons as you use the trails around the Crystal Bridges Musuem of American Art and on other trails throughout Northwest Arkansas. Just scan the QR code on the signage placed at each trailhead. Click here to learn more about Tunes on the Trails.

Artosphere events kick off with First Friday, a monthly festival series located in downtown Bentonville featuring live music, food trucks, multiple family-friendly activities and local vendors. The free community event welcomes all and is produced by the non-profit Downtown Bentonville Incorporated. This month’s theme is “Outdoor Adventure,” and you’ll be able to hear Artosphere artist Thanks for Nothing perform live music on the main stage. This event is free and open to the public, no registration is required. 

Next up is the perfect event for the whole family, Scott Family Amazeum’s Priceless Nights featuring Papa Rap on Wednesday, May 8. Time to play and explore for kids and adults is priceless, and that’s what you’ll get at this free community event. Returning Artosphere artist Papa Rap will host a drop-in drum circle on the outdoor PlayScape. Indoors, there will be Artosphere-themed crafts and engagements, helping little ones make connections between nature, music and creativity. This event is free to attend. 

A returning Artosphere favorite, the Grammy®-nominated Dover Quartet will present an evening of exquisite entertainment at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, May 11. Named one of the greatest string quartets of this century by the BBC, this immaculate ensemble will perform Mozart’s String Quartet in E-Flat major, K. 428, Dmitri Shostakovich’s Quartet No. 9 in E-flat major, Op. 117 and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Quartet No. 1 in D major, Op. 11. Tickets are $15. 

To close out this year’s Artosphere Festival and to complete their last season on a high note, Artosphere Festival Orchestra will perform their signature Live from Crystal Bridges: Mozart in the Museum on Wednesday, May 22. The program for this third and final performance of AFO includes two of the orchestra’s favorite works which will bookend the orchestra’s debut performance of a Mozart piano concerto. Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor will feature pianist Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, a student of the first AFO’s piano soloist, Benedetto Lupo. The young prodigy will bring us full circle, helping celebrate great performances and incredible musical relationships. Tickets are $54.  

With over 30 events in communities across Northwest Arkansas, Artosphere has something for everyone. Check out our website for a full listing of events including yoga sessions, shows and workshops for kids, music in the outdoors and so much more.   

Tickets to these and other Artosphere performances and events 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. 

A special thank you to our Friends of Artosphere for their additional support. Artosphere Festival is sponsored by Walmart. Premier Artosphere Festival support is provided by Kelly & Marti Sudduth. Artosphere Festival Orchestra Principal support for Maestro Corrado Rovaris and Dover Quartet is provided by Reed and Mary Ann Greenwood. Artosphere Festival Orchestra Show Underwriters are Greg & Hannah Lee and Peter B. Lane & Barbara Putman. Artosphere Festival is made possible by Tyson Foods and the generosity of all our Friends of Artosphere.  

Celebrate Artosphere in Rogers

Artosphere Festival celebrates art, music and nature with exciting performances, activities and events that the whole family can enjoy throughout May. You can join the Artosphere fun in Rogers at these events.  

The festival kicks off with three Artosphere-sponsored live music shows in downtown Rogers.  

First up is Railyard Live with The Cate Brothers and The Nace Brothers performing on the Butterfield Stage in downtown Rogers on Friday, May 3 at 7 pm. Fayetteville natives and Northwest Arkansas favorites, Earl and Ernie Cate have been performing their unique brand of country soul music since the mid-1960s.  

They will be joined by the Nace Brothers, known for high-quality performances with brilliant songwriting, expressive vocals, soaring guitar and a rock-solid rhythm section combining for entertainment at its best.   

Next local favorites La Fiesta con Grupo del 4 & Emmanuel Cortes come together for a highly anticipated collaboration joined by electrifying opening act Little Yei, known for his infectious Spanish R&B and Reggaeton, and special guest DJ Alfaro. The show is Saturday, May 4 at 7 pm on the Butterfield Stage. This promises to be a fusion extravaganza of regional Mexican and Hispanic party music, geared towards our vibrant young audience.  

Tickets for these events range from free to $30 and are available at railyardlive.com.  

For singer-songwriter fans, we have just the event for you! Held at the beautiful, recently renovated Victory Theater in Rogers at 7:30 pm Monday, May 6, Bruce Cockburn performs songs from his illustrious 40-year career. This Canadian musical legend has been capturing in song the essence of human experience – earning high praise as an exceptional songwriter and a revered guitarist. Tickets are $29.50-59.50 and can be purchased at thevictorytheater.com  

Artosphere is all about sustainability and nature, and you can’t get more naturally sustainable than falconry. As the largest outdoor concert venue in the state, the Walmart AMP is attractive to birds for shelter and roosting – but that can quickly become messy. Rather than taking invasive steps to remove the birds, the venue participates in sustainable and eco-friendly falconry-based bird abatement with master falconer Jordan Jones. Groups of 30-40 people will be able to tour the Walmart AMP on Sunday, May 19 at 11 am and 11:30 am and watch the fascinating natural process as trained raptors patrol the surrounding area, intimidating nuisance birds and discouraging them from roosting on the premises. Registration is required and will be available on our website May 6. 

With over 30 events in communities across Northwest Arkansas, Artosphere has something for everyone. Check out our website for a full listing of events including yoga sessions, shows and workshops for kids, music in the outdoors and so much more.  

Artosphere Festival is sponsored by Walmart. Premier Artosphere Festival support is provided by Kelly & Marti Sudduth. Artosphere Festival Orchestra Principle Support for Maestro Corrado Rovaris and Dover Quartet is provided by Reed and MaryAnn Greenwood. Artosphere Festival Orchestra Show Underwriters are Greg & Hannah Lee and Peter B. Lane & Barbara Putman. Artosphere Festival is made possible by Tyson Foods and the generosity of all our Friends of Artosphere. 

Celebrate Artosphere Festival Orchestra's Greatest Performances in its Final Season

After 12 seasons and more than 35 performances, the celebrated orchestra is ending on a high note. For its finale season, AFO programs will celebrate the orchestra’s amazing performances presented as part of Artosphere: Arkansas’ Arts + Nature Festival under the baton of Maestro Corrado Rovaris. 

The first program, American Soundscapes, was programmed as a tribute to the first AFO program and season in 2011. Aaron Copland’s Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo was the first piece this orchestra performed in 2011, and this season it will be the opening piece on May 14. The concert will finish with Antonín Dvořák's Symphony No. 9 From the New World. This piece concluded the first concert ever performed by AFO.  

Over the years Maestro Rovaris has established a tradition of featuring orchestra musicians as soloists for new or contemporary works. This year he will continue this tradition by inviting arx duo, who serve as the percussion principals within AFO, to perform as soloists on Nick DiBernadino's Double Percussion Concerto.  

That first season AFO performed two concerts, American Soundscapes and Italian Soundscapes to connect the new world America with Corrado's home country of Italy. That is being mirrored this year starting with the Tuesday, May 14 performance with the distinctly American pieces by Copeland and Dvorak (popularly known as the music for the Beef – It’s What’s for Dinner and DeBeers’s Diamond commercials). AFO’s next performance is one of Maestro Rovaris' favorite Italian works, Verdi’s Requiem on Saturday, May 18. This work is something that Maestro Rovaris conducted annually at La Scalla Opera House in Milan before moving to America. To honor him and his legacy, AFO chose to perform this incredible work as their second concert. 

AFO will conclude the season with their signature Live from Crystal Bridges: Mozart in the Museum on Wednesday, May 22. At this third and final performance, two of the orchestra’s favorite works will bookend another musical piece that has yet to be performed. The Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor will be new for the orchestra and will feature pianist Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, a student of the first Artosphere Festival Orchestra’s piano soloist, Benedetto Lupo. As a Canadian- American, the young prodigy will bring us full circle, helping celebrate great performances and incredible musical relationships.  

Enjoy all the refreshing interpretations of your favorite orchestral works filled with shimmering strings, rippling woodwinds, percussive crescendos and more during the Artosphere.  

A special thank you to our Friends of Artosphere for their additional support. Artosphere Festival is sponsored by Walmart. Premier Artosphere Festival support is provided by Kelly & Marti Sudduth. Artosphere Festival Orchestra Principal support for Maestro Corrado Rovaris and Dover Quartet is provided by Reed and Mary Ann Greenwood. Artosphere Festival Orchestra Show Underwriters are Greg & Hannah Lee and Peter B. Lane & Barbara Putman. Artosphere Festival is made possible by Tyson Foods and the generosity of all our Friends of Artosphere. 

Tickets to these and other Artosphere performances and events 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.    

Show Dates & Times  
American Soundscapes | Tuesday, May 14 at 7 pm | $10 tickets

Verdi’s Requiem | Saturday, May 18 at 8 pm | $15 - 50 tickets

Mozart in the Museum | Wednesday, May 22 at 7 pm | $54 tickets

BIPOC Film Fest Celebrates Locally Produced Films

Films, no matter their plot, have the power to create change across communities, elicit intense emotions and start conversations among all people. All around Arkansas, film makers are sharing their stories in a variety of ways and Fayetteville Film Festival and Walton Arts Center are thrilled to highlight these incredible films.  

This mini film festival showcases minority voices and honors their stories and artistic expression. This is one of four collaborative film showcases between the two arts organizations this season. Each is designed to bring diverse and global cinema to local audiences to enrich our understanding of our neighbors and of the world at large. Fayetteville Film Fest and Walton Arts Center will present an evening of film featuring works created by Black, Indigenous and People of Color on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 8 pm.  

We asked each producer a few questions to gain their insights and inspirations about their respective films. Read more below!

Denzel Jenkins – The Measure of a Man

Denzel Jenkins, a Los Angeles based producer, shot his film The Measure of a Man for his thesis project at USC. His film was inspired by a heated conversation he had with his father over the phone. Jenkins is a survivor of rape/sexual assault, during his conversation with his father, it was revealed that his father was molested when he was young. Jenkins explained, “that experience along with having a mentor that pushed me to be bolder with my storytelling, inspired me to write this story.” 

The Measure of a Man has been shown at the USC screening, The Micheaux Film Festival, Arkansas Cinema Society Filmland, Fayetteville Film Festival and BHERC Reel Black Men Short Film Showcase. Jenkins ultimately hopes this film helps viewers create healing spaces for anyone who has experienced a related trauma. “I also want for people’s minds to shift and to treat this topic without it coming across as taboo like these things don't happen to men.” 

Daniel Beltram – Baking

Daniel Beltram’s film, Baking, was inspired by the idea of the “American Dream” and how this dream is not what is used to be for second and third generation immigrants. Beltram explained, “my inspiration for this film was this feeling of being somewhere that is supposedly better, opportunity wise, from where my family came from, but not feeling that to necessarily be true.” His inspiration also stems from long nights of loneliness and boredom. Beltram features his best friends in his film and adapted the story to match his best friend’s experiences, “he came to the U.S. at the age of eight and it hasn't always been easy for him, but together we've always dreamed big and punched above our weight.” 

Beltram believes showing this film is extremely important to help quiet the misconceptions people have about Latinos and what they look like. Beltram told us “being Latino is such a diverse ethnicity in itself and I'm learning more and more about the incredible diaspora of people across Latin America and I'm constantly inspired." Baking was shot in both Cabot and Conway, Arkansas. Beltram used these locations because he felt they truly represented the inspiration of the film as well as the experience of growing up as a Hispanic in a small town. 

When asked what he wants viewers to take away from the film, Beltram said “I hope viewers can watch the film and understand that this is a story about being an immigrant. I feel like a lot of people my age are stuck in a weird place where they don't feel American, but they don't also feel like where their family is from. I hope viewers can gain an insight or at least relate to that constant battle with cultural identity.” 

Michael Day – All Units

All Units is a film inspired by a dating experience from one of the cast members along with the 2020 protests surrounding George Floyd, Breanna Taylor and Amaud Aubrey. The film was shot by Michael Day in Northwest Arkansas at a cast members’ residence and My-t-by-design.  

All Units has been featured in multiple film festivals across the U.S. and has hosted private screenings. The film has also been part of multiple showcases in Arkansas. Day says he hopes “people to take away from All Units is that for change to happen, we must all work together for a common goal: to be free.” 

Neba Evans – Song of the Bluff 

Song of the Bluff features a story about the city Pine Bluff, Arkansas, drawing inspiration from the negative stigma about the city. Producer Neba Evans shot 90% of the film in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, she is an alumna of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and explained that the community is near and dear to her heart. Evans shared, “I wanted to create a film that shared some historical context about Pine Bluff, as well as uplift it.” 

This film has been shown at Nurture the Narrative, which Evans co-curated with Micheaux Award and Film Labs. When asked about what she wants viewers to take from the fil, Evans said “I want viewers to know that there are amazing things that are happening in the city, and that community members are working to nurture their narrative and empower their town!” 

Additional showcases are Arkansas Filmmakers on Saturday, April 6; Indie Films Artosphere on Saturday, May 11; and LGBTQIA Filmmakers on Thursday, June 13.  

Tickets to all these film showcases are available now for $15 plus applicable fees. Purchase tickets 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. 

Films from Independent Creators Spark Conversations on Art and Sustainability

Fayetteville Film Fest and Walton Arts Center are proud to showcase Indie Films Artosphere on Friday, May 12 at 8 pm. Featuring 10 films from independent artists screened during the annual Artosphere, Arkansas’ Arts + Nature Festival, this mini film festival will spark conversations about sustainability and the intersection of art and nature.  

We sat down with some of the creatives behind the mini film festival to learn more about what inspires them. 

Cassie Self, executive director of Fayetteville Film Fest, curated these films based on their focus on themes of nature. These films will represent “multiple genres from animation, narrative and documentary styles, including student and professional,” Self said. As people enjoy the films, Self hopes “that it can broaden their perspective on how different cultures interact with our earth, how we individually hold values around nature and how we can be psychologically affected by the absence of it.”  

One of the films to be screened is Avoesis, which unpacks the idea of nature’s persistence despite human impact, like noise pollution and urban environments. The film’s director, Mykhailo Bogdanov studied both cinematography and environmental science, and combines his interests to spark conversations about nature and sustainability. “Filmmaking is one of the best ways to tell a meaningful story and share it with the world. That’s why, I think I am capable to fuse my passions and tell impactful environmental stories.” 

Bogdanov’s film highlights the interactions between natural life and human commercial impact. “It is important to consider the true power of that nature, but it will only be possible if we protect the environment and fill it with greenery, birds and other important living things.  "The natural cycle of life is the harmony that we belong to, and we shouldn’t disconnect and destroy it,” he continued. “We live in a world that is desperately struggling due to a climate crisis. As a father, I feel tons of responsibility to make sure my kids will have healthy soil under their feet, clean water, a lot of trees and a clear sky above them.” 

When asked what he wanted audiences to take away from the film, Bogdanov said, “I think that Avoesis has a lot of layers to it, and everyone can grab something for themself. Ideally, I would love if viewers will go out in their natural surrounding and start paying attention to everything around them, using their listening and critical thinking.” 

Avoesis is just one of the films you can see at the Indie Films Artosphere on Friday, March 12, at 8 pm. All tickets are $15!  

During Artosphere, there are a few additional opportunities to catch a film. Join us for a special, spooky, free (but ticketed) outdoor film screening of the classic 1963 Alfred Hitchcock horror film, The Birds at Prairie Street Live on Wednesday, May 10, at 8:30 pm. And, watch an unlikely love story unfold between artist Pat Musick and Apollo astronaut Jerry Carr on Friday, May 19, at 7 pm. Following the free screening of The Artist and the Astronaut, the director and music composer will be participating in a Q&A. 

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Other Films Screened at the Indie Films Artosphere Showcase: 

Indie Films Artosphere Titles and Schedule 

Pili Ka Mo’o (13:58)   

Director: Justyn Ah Chong 

While much of O’ahu has become urbanized. Hakipu’u remains a kipuka (oasis) of traditional knowledge where great chiefs once resided and their bones still remain. 

To The Bone (5:36)   

Director: Andy Sarjahani 

An Ozarks naturalist and bowhunter reflects on a recent animal harvest as he ponders the cycle of life.  

Diiyeghan (5:58)   

Director: Andy Sarjahani 

A grandfather teaches his granddaughter, a young Gwich’in mother named Alisha, how reciprocity is embedded in all aspects of life. The northern lights warm the caribou, the caribou help feed and sustain the community and the community learns to honor the connections. 

To Sprayer (8:45)   

Director: Farnoosh Abedi 

In the land occupied with the sprayers army, no one has the right to grow any kind of plants either in private or public.  

The Misanthrope (21:31)   

Director: Paulina Sobczak 

After a deadly sickness descends, a heartbroken gravedigger imposes a grevious new law. 

Rain (6:34)   

Director: Mahdi Barqzadegan 

Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.  

Heal The River (5:36)   

Director: Andy Sarjahani 

Hydropower dams, built decades ago, have dramatically altered river systems across Alabama. Downstream of the Harris Dam on the Tallapossa River, families and landowners who have lost property and use of the river have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ask for changes to the operation of the dam through the relicensing process. Their hope is that changes can improve downstream conditions and begin to heal the river.   

Psychogeography of Mourning (8:30)   

Director: Shayna Connelly 

This film uses static imagery and unpredictable sound to reconcile the contradictory interior and exterior experiences that grief elicits. 

Flyover (10:58)   

Director: Brian White 

A day in the life of a modern Midwestern community as a farmhand hunts for the cow he scared away. 

2021 Artosphere Photography Contest Winners

This year Artosphere, Arkansas’ Arts + Nature Festival, returned following a year off during the COVID-19 outbreak. For the annual Artosphere photography contest, Arkansas-based photographers submitted original photos inspired by the theme “art in nature.” Adjudicator Rebecca Drolen, assistant professor of photography at the University of Arkansas, selected a grand prize winner and nominated several photos for the People’s Choice Award, which was voted on by members of the public. We are excited to announce the winners of this year’s competition!

Grand Prize Winner: Elijah Aron

“Black Vulture at Lee Creek” by Elijah Aron

Judge’s Statement: Aron’s dramatic photograph of a vulture has a dream-like quality that complicates the notion of a nature photographer as someone who simply documents.  Aron's intimate photograph inspires wonder as well as some intimidation at the beauty and closeness of these creatures.

Artist Statement: My dog Sonja and I were out in the woods testing a rare cine lens (the Schneider Xenon 50mm f0.95) when we stumbled upon this black vulture. I slowly approached it as Sonja waited nearby. I was only about 10 feet from the bird as I captured this shot before it flew to a higher position.

People’s Choice Award Winner: Jade Edster

“Frozen Bubble” by Jade Edster

The People’s Choice winner was chosen based on voting that took place via Walton Arts Center’s Facebook page.

Artist Statement: A picture of the way bubbles freeze in the extreme cold.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Artosphere Photography Contest. There are still several events left in this year’s Artosphere lineup, including a performance by Dover Quartet, the signature Trail Mix event, the Artosphere film series and Art Heist, a immersive true-crime theater experience! Find tickets, info and more at artospherefestival.org.

2020 Artosphere Photo Contest Winner Announced

Walton Arts Center’s Artosphere Festival has been connecting and bringing to life art, nature and sustainability in fun and exciting ways for the past 11 years. For the second Artosphere Photo Contest, Arkansas photographers were invited to submit photographs during March and April related to the “Beauty of Reuse.” These could include nature and landscape photos, images that depict environmental issues and other pictures that encourage people to be “green.”

Rebecca Drolen, assistant professor of photography at the University of Arkansas, judged the 30 images submitted from 11 photographers. All of the submissions were fantastic, but one stood out among the rest as the grand prize winner, and seven others were earned runners-up honors.

Grand Prize Winner

David Cagle is the grand prize winner of the 2020 Artosphere Festival photo contest with his “Milky Way Over Boxley.”

Cagle’s winning photograph “Milky Way Over Boxley Church”

Cagle’s winning photograph features a stunning view of the starry night sky over a striking white chapel in Boxley Valley. His expert technique made details of the Milky Way visible that typically cannot be seen by the naked eye.

Cagle has been taking photos for 14 years. He started because he was looking for a hobby that would motivate him to get out and enjoy nature, and his favorite subject to photograph is waterfalls.

“I like to photograph waterfalls mainly because I enjoy being in the presence of the waterfall and listening to the water,” he said.

“This scene is a majestic and beautiful reminder of how we exist within much larger ecological systems that we must contribute to upholding,” Drolen said. “To see our land as ordinary or a simple backdrop that we control would be short-sighted. And if you are looking for it, sometimes the sky will open up to reveal the extraordinary.”

Runners-up

Drolen also recognized runners-up for their representations of the awe-inspiring and complex relationship that humans have with nature. David Orr’s submissions “Riparian Stick Serpent Right Cranial” stood out among the runners-up for his use of the forest as a site of creation.

David Orr Riparian: Stick Serpent Right Cranial

For his entry, Orr photographed his land art Riparian Stick Serpent. The piece consists of vines and limbs cut and groomed over three months complied into an 80-foot stick serpent occupying space near a river in west Arkansas. The project sustained old-growth oaks, removed invasive non-native trees and shrubs and opened up areas that may benefit southern flying squirrels.

“I enjoy finding the story in a composition, whether told by a spring ephemeral or a monumental waterfall,” said Orr, a long-time photographer who has focused on his craft in retirement and interprets nature through photos.

Sandosh Kumar Ponnusamy: Caught Snake In Bamboo Tree

Ponnusamy has been taking photos for about nine years and took this photo in southern India. He said his favorite thing about photography is going outside and feeding his thirst for nature photography. “You don’t need to look far to find a beautiful scene or book a studio and a model to take photos; just go outside and start clicking that shutter,” he said.

LaDonna Harvey: Blossoms Up Close

Harvey took this photo in the Botanical Gardens of St. Louis. Harvey fell in love with photography in 2013, but says she was interested in it years before then. “I first became interested in photography when my family was young and family photos became expensive but still very much wanted. I started posing my family and sons for photos including building backgrounds and settings,” she said.

Kate Friesen: Natural Captivation

“When I pick up a camera, I hope to capture something inspiring and memorable. I don’t make it a goal because I don’t want to look for something inspirational, I let it find me. It’s moments when you round a corner of a building or the bend in the road and a moment, a view, a subject catches your eye and makes you stop. That’s when my camera is called upon. This particular photo was taken in a moment of speechlessness during a journey through several state and national parks. In a clearing between the base of two mountains, after carefully maneuvering traffic through winding roads, was a moment of vast peace and captivation.”

— Kate Friesen

Mike Bolding: Osprey Surfing A Barracuda

Bolding captured this photo outside of his hotel room in the Gulf Shores. He notes that it looks like the bird is actually riding the fish in this image. Bolding’s love for photography was born out of his time up in tree stands. “In addition to all the mammals, I saw owls, hawks and bird I'd never seen before up close, so I started bringing my camera with me and got some really good shots of birds.” Photographing and identifying birds has become his main focus as a photographer.

Shelby Vaught: Scenic Route

Shelby Vaught is a documentary photographer who is interested in the issues of emotional, mental and physical connectivity as complex systems of navigating our society. Inspired by vulnerability, she uses her surroundings to emphasize the relationship between oneself and their environment. Vaught got her first camera when she was 12-year-old and has been capturing “sweet little moments of life” that she says never last long enough ever since. “Photography became the solution by forever capturing these beautiful scenes and allowing me to share these instances long after they were over,” she explained.

Maurice Konkle: Examined Sky

Konkle has been taking photos seriously for over 40 years, working mainly in black and white in his earlier days. Many of his photos feature the sky prominently. “I don’t see the sky as a subject'; I think of it as the atmosphere enveloping humans and human-made things,” he said. Konkle is interested in how the things humans make fit themselves into the sky, whether gracefully, intrusively, or magically. 

How to Celebrate Artosphere

While Artosphere’s in-person performances were canceled due to COVID-19, you can still celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Artosphere Festival Orchestra Saturday, May 23 on heARTs to homes. This weekly webcast produced by Walton Arts Center airs at 6 pm every Saturday on Walton Arts Center’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. Episodes are available for 48 hours after they air.

Artosphere 2020 is sponsored by Walmart, Tyson Foods, Visit Bentonville and Experience Fayetteville. Support for Trail Mix provided by Bank of America and Arkansas BlueCross BlueShield. Support for Dover Quartet and Maestro Corrado Rovaris provided by Mary Ann & Reed Greenwood.