Northwest Arkansas is rich in artistic talent and the Artists of Northwest Arkansas (ANA) is proud of its mission to sponsor, encourage, assist, and promote enjoyment and understanding of the visual arts in the region. For over 30 years the ANA has offered a welcoming and inclusive place for artists of all kinds to showcase their work, learn new skills, and be part of the growing art scene in Northwest Arkansas and the surrounding area.

Founded in 1991 as the Fayetteville Art Association (FAA), the small group of creatives quickly grew to a regional organization. The name changed to the Artists of Northwest Arkansas in 1996 to reflect that growth and became a not-for-profit in 2001. The ANA met monthly to host speakers, artists workshops were held at different times and locations during the year, and membership shows were held at venues throughout NWA, including the yearly ANA 10-State Regional Juried Exhibition.

Fast forward another 20 years, ANA found it’s first brick and mortar home at the Rogers Experimental House (RXH) in downtown Rogers. In April of 2021 ANA opened the ANA Gallery, a fine artists cooperative comprised of 14 visual artists, and held the official ribbon cutting on September 9, 2021. The ANA Gallery features the art of  Becky Christenson, Stan Dark, Terry Dushan, Carol Hart, Gerald Scout Hatley, Gary Johnson, Cheryl Kellar, Judy Maurer, Melissa Milton, Eloa Jane Pereira, Annika Ringle, Kathleen Siegfried, Pat Sweeden, and Jeremy TenHaken.

Acquiring gallery space also allowed the Artists of Northwest Arkansas to expand programming to its full membership. Four times a year the organization curates an art exhibition in their gallery as well as the common area within the RXH. This provides the opportunity feature 150+ works of art during the month-long shows. They also offer monthly member presentations, and events open to the public including: artist receptions, social painting, artist workshops, art education programs and the annual 6 x 6 Show & Art Auction set for the 2nd Thursday in December which raises funds for art education programs.

Artists of Northwest Arkansas offers the chance to become part of a community of artists who support one another while growing the visual arts in Northwest Arkansas. Membership is open to the public and there are no qualifications required other than to love art and want to have fun!

https://artistsnwarkansas.com/membership/

https://artistsnwarkansas.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ArtistsofNorthwestArkansas/