By: Rylie Melton
Rylie Melton is a junior at the University of Central Arkansas, majoring in marketing and minoring in creative writing. Rylie hopes to obtain a job in the creative world of advertising when she graduates to exercise her artistic energy. She has a passion for all things art and nature. Any way that she can incorporate these fascinations into her daily life is something she finds exciting.
Central Arkansas is filled with opportunities to immerse yourself in the local art. One way to surround yourself with beautiful, unique art is by visiting the art walks of Conway, Little Rock and Argenta. While viewing these impressive pieces of art is fun, supporting the local artists makes it even more desirable to make your Friday night one spent enjoying art in Central Arkansas. With local art vendors, exciting performances and delicious food, you are sure to fill your weekend with entertainment.
Conway Art Walk (First Friday of Every Month from March to November)
The Conway Art Walk takes place in downtown Conway, where all the excitement fills the atmosphere on the first Friday of every month. “We have artists of all disciplines: painting, printmaking, graphic design, graphic novel artists, ceramicists, sculptors, you name it,” Executive Director of Create Conway Katie Wilson said. “You get a sense of the many different creative aspects of Conway just from walking from vendor to vendor.
According to Wilson, the incorporation of existing buildings and structures in downtown Conway, as well as partnerships with different organizations, including UCA and the Faulkner County Library, is what makes the Conway Art Walk so special to its culture. 
Photo courtesy of Conway Art Walk
Recently, Conway Art Walk partnered with UCA Foundation and Arkansas Arts Council to bring a book-themed art walk with paper making and marbling. The art gallery set up in one of the buildings surrounding the art walk also houses many higher-quality paintings and sculptures that will draw many eyes. You can find more information about the Conway Art Walk here. 
Little Rock Art Walk (Second Friday of Every Month)
After being around for 20 years, the Little Rock Art Walk has perfected the art of an enjoyable Friday night. Taking place on the second Friday of every month, you can experience even more local art in the bustling city of downtown Little Rock. “There are people with paintings, there are people who are printmakers as well as craft items, that kind of thing,” Downtown Little Rock Partnership Deputy Director Kyle Leyenberger said. “So, they really have a wide variety, and they change it up every month, but it's always local artists.” 
Photo courtesy of Little Rock Art Walk
They also have several locations that get involved in the art walk every month. Each location will host individual activities, but they are all part of one walkable experience in the downtown area, making it a truly urban experience. You also get to hear live music when you participate in this Little Rock art experience, as you visit different vendors and participate in different activities. You can find more information about the Little Rock Art Walk here. 
Argenta Art Walk (Third Friday of Every Month)
The Argenta Art Walk in North Little Rock is our third and final art walk in Central Arkansas. After so many entertaining Friday nights at the beginning of the month, you can attend the Argenta Art Walk on the third Friday of the month in North Little Rock. The art walk has had many participating venues, some of which have included Argenta Contemporary Theater, Thea Foundation and Argenta Library. Each venue brings unique artists as well. According to Argenta Art District, “A diversity of art has been exhibited during prior art walks: 2-dimensional works in various mediums, sculptural pieces, textiles, jewelry, etc.” 
Photo courtesy of Argenta Arts Foundation
So whatever type of art you’re looking for, you’re sure to see a wide selection of art at the Argenta location. According to Argenta Art District, they have also hosted giveaways in the past, such as in March, where a gift card was given away to someone who entered their drawing. To be entered into the drawing, each participant had to obtain stamps from different venues involved in their art walk. You can find more information about the Argenta Art Walk here.
With almost a full month of art-related activities, Central Arkansas is filled with so much artistic culture that you’re sure to never feel like you have run out of the excitement of art. And the best part about these engaging weekend art activities: they’re free!
Engage in Arkansas’ Art Culture
If you want to engage yourself in even more of Arkansas’ art culture, watch the Arkansas PBS Governor’s Arts Awards livestream here.