What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1466421
BECCA MARTIN-BROWN NWA Democrat-Gazette E xecutive Director Kelly McDonough might be understating the situation when she says Eureka Springs School of the Arts "has been extremely fortunate to have come through the pandemic with great momentum." "We have added new members to our team and expanded and improved our facilities to support robust programming both on campus and in the community," says McDonough. "ESSA is also expanding our artist-in-residence program, and we intend to continue to grow that program significantly over the next few years. Our artists-in-residence will add vibrancy to our regional arts community by engaging with area artists and craftspeople, visiting schools and interacting with the public. "We are also in the process of visioning the next phase of growth for the school, and there are many exciting developments on the horizon," she adds. "Our next step in campus development is renovation of an aging home on our property to create a communal space for visiting instructors, small events and other gatherings." McDonough has been executive director of ESSA since April of 2017, moving from Austin, Texas, to be closer to family and as a bonus finding a good fit for her background in nonprofit management and grants administration. What she connected with was "an art and craft school offering workshops for adults of any skill level, whether they are total beginners or seasoned practitioners," she explains. "Workshops range from one to five days, and topics include woodworking, blacksmithing, ceramics, painting, drawing, jewelry making and many, many more," all taught on a 50-acre campus with seven dedicated teaching studios for iron working, woodturning, woodworking, ceramics, small metals, leather working, and a multi-use studio. "Recently added are four duplex cottages for visiting instructors who come from all over the country to teach at ESSA, and to provide housing for our growing artist- in-residence program," McDonough adds. So why would ESSA commit as the new — and permanent — sponsor of one of the favorite events of the Eureka Springs Festival of the Arts in May? "One of the best things about the MAY 1-7, 2022 WHAT'S UP! 9 FAQ ArtRageous Parade WHEN — 2 p.m. May 7 WHERE — The parade route begins on Spring Street near the Post Office and ends just past Basin Park in Eureka Springs COST — Free INFO — essa-art.org and click on ArtRageous under the Events tab FEATURE See May Fest Page 37 Old faves, new fun come with return of May festival This year, the Eureka Springs School of the Arts will become the permanent sponsor of the ArtRageous Parade. (File Photo) McDonough