The June 8th Art on the Bricks Art Walk celebrates the founding of our city and highlights artists who share a sense of community through their art. Rogers was officially founded on June 6, 1881, and we are celebrating Founders Day during the entire month of June. Rogers has been home to a variety of creative individuals who have given our city a rich and diverse cultural history in the arts. These artists have been painters, woodcarvers, sketch artists, quilters…the list goes on! No matter what medium they used or whether they were a hobbyist or a professional, it is evident that all these artists were just as passionate in the love of their craft as Rogers’ artists are today.

Featured Artist, Elizabeth Pier shared the sense of place she hopes to convey through her Downtown Rogers art series, Keeping on Track, “Downtown Rogers possesses that sense of past when things were slower paced,” she explains. The feel of shade and sun as you walk the streets, peeking into window displays, the chatter of children in the parks, the benches to settle into and watch the world go by.” Whether you have lived here for decades or are visiting for the first time, these elements set the stage to give you that feeling of coming home.

Pier has a keen connection to Downtown Rogers that is seen in her series, “Keeping on Track.” The charm of the brick streets, the craftsmanship of the buildings, the friendliness of the business owners, the lush green in the parks…all extend a warm welcome to everyone who visits.

Experience Art on the Bricks Art Walk 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 8, throughout Downtown Rogers.

Indoor and outdoor exhibits: Look for exhibitors in Railyard Park Plaza as well as in more than a dozen businesses. Downtown Rogers galleries, retail spaces and restaurants will partner with area artists to highlight the creative talent of members of our community. Meet artists and crafters of numerous mediums and support the local creative economy in Downtown Rogers. See the map.

Live Performances: 

• The City of Rogers and Railyard Live host the Local Showcase w/ Live Music on Butterfield Stage.
• Artists of Northwest Arkansas ANA Gallery has live music by Dave Floyd
• Make your own kind of music with Karaoke at The Shire GastroPub

Who ‘ya gonna’ call? June 8 is National Ghostbusters Day and the celebration at Arkansas Public Theatre is not to be missed. Join the NWA Ghostbusters Meet and Greet on the anniversary of the 1984 theatrical release of Ghostbusters. Take selfies with the NWA Ghostbusters and visit their Facebook Page and check out their live interview on Good Day NWA.

Reflections of Historic Downtown Rogers by Contemporary Artists

Elizabeth Pier – Keeping on Track in Historic Downtown Rogers

TaDonna Cudney - Life is Beautiful

Karen Wagaman – Downtown Rogers Watercolor Expressions

Visit our website for a list of some of our participating artists. 

Rogers artists through the ages: (provided by Rogers Historical Museum)

Lillie B. Sherrell (1891-1975) was a life-long Rogers resident and a descendant of the Sikes family, Rogers’ founding family. She was a seed artist who used seeds gathered from her home garden, local fields, and woods to create small mosaic pictures. She exhibited and sold her work at the War Eagle Craft Fair and Benton County Fair.

Roy E. Harris (1893-1977), known as the “Ol’ Whittler” of War Eagle, was born near Cassville, Missouri. In 1959, he and his wife moved east of Rogers. Inspired by craftsmen at the War Eagle Craft Fair, Roy began whittling wood miniatures that represented traditional Ozark ways of life. Over the next decade, he created hundreds of pieces, including buildings, tools, animals, and people. His work attracted so much interest at the War Eagle Craft Fair, that he was invited to participate in the Smithsonian’s 1968 Festival of American Folklife in Washington, D.C.

Elsie Mistie Sterling (1907-1960) moved to Rogers with her husband in 1942. She was a professional sketch artist and painter who trained at the Art Institute of Chicago. Wildflowers were her favorite subject to draw and paint, and she also created commissioned drawings, such as signs and brochures for local businesses.

Charles Summey (1936-present) grew up in Rogers and began pursuing his artistic talents as a painter while a student at Rogers High School. He is known for his oil paintings depicting Ozark landscapes and local town scenes, such as the old Rogers Frisco Depot. His professional work has won many awards and has been featured in both galleries and private collections throughout the United States.

WHAT’S HAPPENING:  Downtown Rogers Art on the Bricks Art Walk seeks to provide a welcoming and diverse ThirdSpace to members of our community. We also promote downtown Rogers as a destination location for arts, music, dance, and other interactive experiences.

HOW IT WORKS:  More than 20 pop-up shops, galleries, retail and restaurants partner with area artists to highlight the creative talent of member of our community. In addition to extended hours in retail shops, art galleries and pop-up art exhibits are scheduled from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. on the 2^nd Thursday of every month.

See the interactive Google Map of participating locations at www.artonthebricks.com.

2023 SPONSORS: Make Art on the Bricks one of your third space destination locations for nightlife, dining, shopping, and art. This free, family friendly experience is supported by generous businesses in our community.  Presenting Sponsor: T-Mobile, Partner: TYSON, Art Sustainer: Rogers Experimental House, Community Sponsor: Arvest Bank, and Washington Regional Urgent Care-Rogers, Media Sponsors: KNWA/Fox 24 News, iHeartMedia, Signage Sponsor: Minuteman Press and Lamar Advertising. The monthly event is coordinated by Rogers Lowell Chamber in partnership with Destination Rogers and business owners and area non-profit organizations and participating artists from across NW Arkansas and beyond.