ACNA President Sandy Farnham is pictured standing in the centers classroom, utilized by various members of ACNA and for activities.
Elaine Brown
The Arts Center of North Arkansas (ACNA) in Cherokee Village Town Center is hosting an Open House on Saturday, Sept. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center is celebrating its rebirth by showcasing the artwork of many new artists, local and beyond, which is on sale by consignment through ACNA. This Grand Re-Opening will provide an opportunity for people to meet and chat with the artists themselves. There will be prize drawings every hour starting at 11:30 a.m.
The beautiful art on display at the center covers a wide range of media, from oil paintings and water colors to ceramics and jewelry, and ACNA is open to any kind of original art an inspired artisan may create. An artist must be a member of ACNA in order to display their work, but anyone is welcome to visit the center to browse and enjoy. If they are so moved, people may purchase art pieces. A $30 annual membership fee allows a patron to even participate if they so desire.
Classes of all types are offered which members can attend at the center. There is a full calendar of events on which different clubs and classes are scheduled to meet, from art and writing to music and tai chi. Classes are taught at all levels, from beginners to advanced. There is even a time slated as open studio, during which people can come in and work on whatever they want. According to ACNA President Sandra Farnham, Open Studio, you can bring whatever you want to work on, or if you come in and say Hey, I dont know where to start. I want to learn to draw, [for example], theres drawing pads, theres paper, pencils and [we show them], this is how you start.
The center is open to all types of art forms, fine arts and performing arts, and welcomes any artist who wants to display, practice or perform their craft, as well as those enthusiasts who want to just appreciate, indulge or learn an art form. Teachers of all types of arts are also welcome to share their knowledge. Freedom of expression seems to be an ongoing theme of ACNA.
ACNA is a non-profit organization. Proceeds from memberships and consignment sales are given directly back to the center to keep it running. Donations are greatly appreciated. The Grand Re-Opening event, held on Saturday, Sept. 4 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., is open to the public at the center, located behind Chow on the Square next to the Gazebo in Cherokee Village Town Center. Normal operating hours of ACNA are Tuesdays, 2-7 p.m. and Th., Fri. and Sat., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 870-751-3793, or e-mail [email protected].
