What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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Marshall Island heritage. "The flowers that are painted are the plumeria, the national flower of the Marshall Islands. The whale symbolizes creativity, wisdom and community, and the butterflies are a part of our art theme this year — they symbolize rebirth, resilience and hope," Breshears explains. "The opportunities that arise from working large and outdoors are that we attract the attention of the community. It's a way to get to know the community and to get to share our gifts with the world, and hopefully get more people involved in community projects. People are more likely to take care of a space if they helped in the creation of the space." Roxy ERickson City where you live: Centerton Location of your artwork: 809 E. Emma Ave. "Some of my earliest memories involve me drawing, painting, crafting in some form or another," Roxy Erickson begins. "I'm not sure if there's any one thing that made me first start creating art other than it being a passion and driving force in my life. Once I gained access to art classes, I took every one I possibly could. Then I realized I wanted my work to speak to people on a level other than just functioning as a pretty picture." Now, when she thinks about her new mural speaking to viewers, Erickson first wants them to know that the title, "Chaseing Arkansas Summer," is intentionally misspelled! After that, she hopes the piece brings joy to viewers, or sparks a memory or nostalgic feeling within them. "I had been working on a series of paintings relating to summer fun, and I wanted this mural to carry over that sense of being carefree, a feeling I think a lot of people are craving after a crazy year (2020)," she says of the vibrant piece. "I used 'Arkansas summer' as my inspiration, including local nature, going to the river, etc…" Though painting has been Erickson's medium since high school, her foray into murals was a bit unexpected, she admits. After making a connection at a gallery show in Bentonville, Erickson was invited to paint her first public work and has since continued exploring how to best marry her painting on canvas style with her large scale mural style. "Murals have a completely different and broader audience than a gallery show. They are great exposure, and I love to see how people interact with public murals and experience them on their own terms," she muses. "I'm continuing to establish myself and art career locally. Hopefully more public projects will present themselves soon!" BEnTonViLLE The Museum of Native American History has commissioned Mvskoke (Muscogee) artist Johnnie Diacon to paint a Trail of Tears mural as part of a joint exhibition, "Companion Species," with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. The three-panel mural will be unveiled May 8 and, according to MONAH, will effectively create a new stop on the National Trail of Tears Association map of destinations at the museum. 10 What's up! april 25-may 1, 2021 President Brent A. Powers editor Becca Martin-Brown 479-872-5054 bmartin@nwadg.com twitter: nWAbecca AssociAte editor Jocelyn Murphy 479-872-5176 jmurphy@nwadg.com twitter: nWAJocelyn rePorter Lara Hightower 479-365-2913 lhightower@nwadg.com designers Chris Swindle and Monica Hooper ! UP WHAT'S on ThE coVER "this cast is just hilarious and moving and won- derful," says tyler meredith, who plays Carlo in t2's production of "at the Wedding." "i think we all feel so ready to be able to welcome audiences again — we miss them. i'm so excited that theatresquared has done such an incredible job as far as safety measures and keeping us safe." (Courtesy Photo/Wesley hitt for t2) What's Up! is a publication of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. "i had been working on a series of paintings relating to summer fun, and i wanted this mural to carry over that sense of being carefree, a feeling i think a lot of people are craving after a crazy year (2020)," Centerton artist roxy Erickson says of her vibrant new mural in springdale. (Courtesy photo/roxy Erickson) FYI Find out More ROGERS craigcolorusso.com SPRINGDALE downtownspringdale.org roxyshmoxy.com BENTONVILLE monah.us facebook.com/JohnnieDiaconArt ozartnwa.com justkids.art ouizi.art FAYETTEVILLE georgesmajesticlounge.com brandonbulletteart.com Art Continued From Page 9