What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1364938
BECCA MARTIN-BROWN NWA Democrat-Gazette L overs of the arts tend to agree an end is in sight, and a new normal is emerging. But while artists would like to be through with the coronavirus, the pandemic isn't yet through with the arts enclave of Eureka Springs. This will be the second year that the May Festival of the Arts has been canceled; the White Street Walk has been postponed until 2022; and "the Carroll and Madison Public Library Foundation made the decision to 'close the book' on Books in Bloom," according to the event's co-founder, Jean Elderwind. Books in Bloom First held on May 1, 2005, the Books in Bloom Literary Festival brought authors, both internationally known and those who call the Ozarks home, to the Crescent Hotel for one big afternoon of interaction with their fans. "As Books in Bloom's reputation grew as a 'home-grown, world-class' event, authors heard about the festival from their fellow authors at conferences and other festivals, which made their 'yes' easier," says Elderwind. "Also, there is something to say about persistence! It might take four or five years of asking to get an author commitment, but it was a happy day when we did." Over the years, Elderwind and her co-chairman, Lin Wellford, hosted a who's who of popular and celebrated authors: James Dean, the artist creator of Pete the Cat, had lines for autographs wrapped around his booth. Gail Sheehy, author of the 1976 "Passages," was a big draw, Elderwind continues. Jeffery Deaver visited twice. "His books are sold in 150 countries and have been translated into over 25 languages. He has sold 50 million books worldwide." And "it was standing room only when mystery writers Craig Johnson or C.J. Box would visit. Their iconic protagonists, Sheriff Walt Longmire and Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett, respectively, were etched so vividly in their readers' minds that it is hard to believe that they are fictional characters." Books in Bloom was always about that connection, never about making money, Elderwind adds. "Here is where I really want to say that the Library Foundation will be forever grateful to The 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa. Without their generosity, the festival would not have happened in the way it did. They gave us their classic hotel for our use and assisted in defraying some of our other expenses, too. "Any profit we made after the last bills were paid became seed money for the next festival." Elderwind retired from the library system six years ago but remained on the foundation board, continuing to organize Books in Bloom until the pandemic put a halt to last year's event. "It was obvious to us all by March 2020 that we could not proceed with the May festival," she says. "[And] I knew after planning 15 festivals it was time to turn it over to someone else. No one stepped forward, so we let it go. It does make me sad but, as you know, sometimes there is a beginning, middle and end to even really good things. I loved our 15-year run and brought some great authors here who inspired readers and fledgling authors." The foundation, she says, will turn its attention to developing new author events in each of the six libraries in the two counties. "I am very excited about this new turn." White street Walk Next year's White Street Walk, traditionally held on the third Friday evening during the May Festival of the Arts, will happen and it will be numbered as the 30th, promises Zeek Taylor, one of its founders. In the meantime, he says, "galleries are still open in Eureka Springs, and art is available for purchase in person. The strange pandemic year has caused our creative community to become even more creative." The White Street Walk was conceived as a neighborhood event by artist friends from Memphis — Taylor, Eleanor Lux and Mary Springer — who had moved to the Eureka Springs at about the same time. "The walk has grown into a major event, [but] producing the show is still done by Mary, Eleanor and me," says Taylor. It's the popularity, he says, that forced the postponement of the event until 2022. April 25-MAy 1, 2021 WhAt's up! 5 See CanCeled Page 6 EurEka SPringS No Books, No Walk, No Festival May events in Eureka springs canceled, postponed, altered organizers hope the Artrageous parade, a staple of the May Festival of the Arts in Eureka springs, can be rescheduled to the fall of 2021. (Courtesy photo)