The Downtown Rogers Art on the Bricks (AOTB) Art Walk resumes LIVE AND IN PERSON Art Exhibitions on the 2nd Thursday of every month beginning in May.

For May and June AOTB has reached out to the anime and cosplay community to invite them to join other artists, photographers, and jewelry makers to participate. The theme is “Art, Antiques & Anime.”

A Growing and Thriving Art Walk
Each month, artists, and creatives from throughout Northwest Arkansas partner with locally owned business owners and provide pop-up displays in businesses, along sidewalks and in parking lots and alleyways. The artists and business participation changes from month to month and prior to COVID-19, it wasn’t unusual to have 25 or more businesses staying open late on the 2nd Thursday of every month. Some of the mainstay businesses that participate every month include: Rogers Experimental House, Gateway Mortgage, Brick & Mortar, Arkansas Public Theatre, Studio 300, Java Dudes Coffee Company and Art Collective Gallery.

AOTB is also welcoming new creative businesses to Downtown Rogers who will be joining every month: Ozark Talent Bank on S. 1st Street, Artists of Northwest Arkansas Gallery at the corner of 2nd and Walnut, Mavis Wine Company at 718 N 2nd Street and Into+View Art Gallery and Studios at 300 N 2nd next door to Studio 300.

Multi-Generational Appeal
The May and June Art Walks are designed to attract multiple generations from different cultures and ethnicities. It’s a fun way to come together for an arts event that supports the creative economy in Downtown Rogers.

Anime fans have an opportunity to submit drawings for a competition and compete for prizes. The drawings will be displayed during ATOB and a People’s Choice prize as well as 1st, 2nd and 3^rd place prizes will be awarded. Donated drawings will then be shared with an area nonprofit organization.

What’s Coming in May and June
During the May Art Walk, Arkansas Arts Academy will have two orchestra groups performing. The event will also feature a Lolita Tea Party, Anime Art exhibits, a lapel pin exchange, cosplay costume exchange, photo studio and selfie stations, Anime painting and makeup workshops and an Anime After Party with Cosplay Karaoke and a live artist creature creator demo. Also coming in the June Art Walk is a Cosplay Runway Show.

Have a Free Ride and Java
During ATOB, there will be live music throughout Downtown Rogers. To facilitate parking and make it convenient to visit all ATOB points of interest, Ozark Regional Transit will provide a courtesy shuttle with all shuttle riders receiving coffee vouchers from Java Dudes Coffee Co.

A Program of the Chamber’s Downtown Economic Development Mission-Work
Downtown Rogers has built up an impressive list of permanent art galleries that have patrons who frequent their art shows and receptions – the “Creative Economy”.

These monthly pop-up exhibitions complement these galleries and offer a broad selection of artists and makers.  AOTB is all about helping the creative economy and is a program of the Chamber’s Economic Development Division showcasing Downtown Rogers as a vibrant arts and entertainment destination.

AOTB also brings people back together to support and celebrate our artists and small businesses who have been among those most impacted by business closures over the past 15 months.