ART GALLERY AT NWA MALL

Bringing Joy to the Community
The Art Gallery at the NW Arkansas Mall is a non-profit, first-class organization dedicated to spotlighting local Northwest Arkansas artists. The gallery showcases area contemporary painters, ceramists, jewelers, and woodcarvers some of whom are known on the national stage and whose art has been selected to appear in publications. It has a wonderful teaching collection of art and provides free art lessons to the public in exchange for a rent-free mall space. These classes are an asset for the community as they provide a fun art experience suitable for all ages and background. It provides an opportunity for individuals to release their inner creativity by painting in a manner they are most drawn to.
Background and Project Description
Our gallery benefits NW Arkansas artists who have a place to exhibit their work with the ability to also exhibit at the University of Arkansas Faulkner Center of Performing Arts and the Fayetteville Public Library which periodically invites us to display our art offsite. Our main mission is “To ensure our local community can benefit from art related interactions”. Our gallery enriches lives though exposure to its unique styles of art on display from modern to abstract. Nature texture paintings encourage visitors to go outside and find natural things to incorporate into art. Importantly, research-based data backs the benefits of the healing powers of nature outdoor walks and engaging in art on everyday stress.
From personal experience we have seen in our free art classes, how art making is, not only a way to have fun, but can alleviate emotional worries. As an example, a vision impaired woman who signed up to take our “How to draw fish (Fun and Easy)” class was ready to bolt at the beginning because she feared her impaired sight might get in her way to successfully create a painting. At the end she and her husband both signed up for another class because they had such a wonderful experience. A Razorback fan was glad to have the calming effect of painting during a close Razorback football game. For other participants it’s just a chance for parents to bond with their children and provide a phone free activity void of the addictive online computer activity. Veterans and elementary students have a special gallery area set aside for them for family and friends to see. We join in Mall community events and provide children with an art activity and provide refreshments.
We also have gallery walks to explore styles of art and try to unlock the hidden meaning of paintings through, “What do you see”, What do you Think” “What do you Wonder” gallery talk workshops followed by painting a style they are most drawn. Making art and unleashing creativity is just plain fun.
Note:
Although the gallery benefits from the mall’s generous donation of space. Our gallery still must budget for utilities and unexpected repairs like toilet issues that takes a licensed plumber to fix. To save expenses galley members donate their time to the running of the gallery. Handyman husbands come to our aid when a door lock breaks or shelves need to be repaired. Each gallery member pays fees every month. Even so our budget is very tight when it comes to workshop supplies and unexpected high utility bills or emergency repairs.
We have recently started a Sponsorship Campaign to:
• Grow and diversify our gallery artists
• Provide a larger budget for art supplies
• Provide reserves for Mall and Gallery Events or unexpected operating expenses
We would love if Tyson would partner with us in our community engagement activities. Sponsors will be listed on our web page and included on any folders or posters we print to publish to advertise our free art classes, special events, and entice new gallery members. Thank you for your kind consideration to partner with us. Any amount would be appreciated.
Note: Since our membership dues pay for basic operating expenses and our budget is tight, it is my goal as grant writer to pursue ways to help cover the yearly cost of:
1. Printing of brochures, posters, and business cards - $1,500
2. Art supplies - $2,000
3. Unexpected service calls to plumbers, etc. $500 - $800
4. Cost of several receptions at our off-site exhibits at the University of Arkansas Faulkner Center and elsewhere $1,000
5. Cost of handing out candy "Malloween" (a Mall Halloween event) $300
6. Gallery Hop reception (a bus tour of 9 galleries) where we have children's activities and live demonstrations $400
7. Christmas open house reception where we have children's activities and live demonstrations $400
8. Miscellaneous expenses (office, cleaning, and art installation supplies etc.) $1,500