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16 | 2022 Bella vista city guide SPONSOR CONTENT If you want to see the work of some of the finest artists and artisans in Bella vista and the surrounding area, look no further than the Wishing Spring Gallery. "e gallery is part of the Artisan Alliance at Wishing Spring Art Club," began Pearl Williamson, Gallery Director. "e main idea of the gallery when it opened back in the eighties was to give artists a place to sell and display their art. It's still that way today. e gallery was named best art gallery in NWA in 2019 and 2020." e exhibitors at Wishing Spring Gallery are all members of the Artisan Alliance. And part of getting the opportunity to display and sell their creations is agreeing to work as volunteer at the gallery. "ey all have shis that they work," Pearl said. "ey are all pretty much local with some from Missouri and Oklahoma." Wishing Spring Gallery has everything from wall art to cras. "We have all kinds of painting, like watercolors or acrylics," Pearl said. "We currently have four potters and five jewelry makers which are both big sellers at our gallery. Finally, we have our so lines which is anything like sewn items, crocheting…and tie-dyed tee shirts are also a big seller." e Artisan Alliance is a non-profit art organization formed in 1966 as e Village Art Club. e group exists to further art appreciation and education within the community. In addition to the gallery, the Alliance has the Scholarship fund, and e Clay Studio that provides classes and training by professional potters on creating your own pottery. ey also sponsor the Bella Vista Arts & Cras Festival, Northwest Arkansas' premier show held the third weekend in October of each year. However, they had to take a break in 2020 and 2021 because of covid. "is year in April we are planning to have an artist event to introduce all of our new artists that have come on board the last couple of years," Pearl said. "Since events have been closed because of covid, all the people who came in 2020 and 2021 haven't had the opportunity to get known in the area. We are also planning an arts and cras Spring sale in May or June. We will put up some tents and invite everyone to view our artists' work." Pearl has been gallery director for five years and is, of course, an artist herself. "I started out in photography," she said. "I used to have my photography on display in the gallery but, I've kind of retired from that now. We have a great photographer who is on display now in the gallery. I still do some so-line items along with photography postcards of local Bella Vista. Mostly I am busy as director of the gallery." And she loves the work she does and the people she gets to work with. "I absolutely love being around the artists," Pearl said. "ey are great people I love the creativity at the galley. It is a great place to hang out and a real pleasure to be able to work there. We have a great board of directors and an executive committee, too. Everybody is just out to take care of the artist and advance any way we can the work of the artists." e Artisan Alliance Scholarship e Artisan Alliance is proud to offer scholarships for local artisans in the amount of $1,000 per semester for up to 8 semesters (A total of $8,000). Applicants should be a Northwest Arkansas high school senior entering College in the fall with a declared major in the fine or applied arts or a current Northwest Arkansas college freshman, with a GPA of at least 2.65. For more information contact Scholarship Director, Cathy Chanin, by email: cathychanin10@hotmail.com. 8862 W McNelly Rd, Bentonville, AR 72712 www.wishingspringgallery.net Wishing Spring Gallery, a home for local artists An Arts & Crafts Show EVERY DAY! By the Artisans Alliance at Wishing Spring Gallery Monday thru Saturday 10 AM - 5 PM 479-273-1798 www.artisanalliance.net 8862 W. McNelly Rd., County Rd 40 (1/2 block east of Hwy 71/I-540) Bella Vista, Arkansas Wishing Spring Gallery Fine Arts & Crafts