Rogers, AR--What’s Happening: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Appreciation Day, celebrated on July 16, is a day to explore the latest advances in AI, and discover how it can help shape our future. So, what better time to showcase the talents of creative digital art practitioners than the July Art on the Bricks Art Walk. Join us as we share the talent of artists who work in the digital realm. Animators, illustrators, photographers, plasma cutters  and creative techies dabbling in AI art generators! Downtown Rogers Art on the Bricks Art Walk presents “Digitally Yours, A Celebration of Digital Art.” The community is invited to visit 20+ pop-up locations with digital and traditional art, live music and interactive art experiences, Thursday, July 13, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. in Downtown Rogers.

Let’s Get Digital: Musician and Digital Artist, Dave Floyd, first became interested in creating AI generative art as it relates to his love of music, creating images that are similar to styles used to create book covers, albums, posters and other forms of visual marketing. He will share his techniques with demos and free mini workshops from 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Rogers Experimental House, 121 W Walnut Street, Rogers, AR, during the July 12 Art on the Bricks Art Walk. (See the workshop schedule at artonthebricks.com.

Free mini-workshops before and during Art on the Bricks. artist and musician, Dave Floyd, shares his recent experience creating digital art using artificial intelligence (AI) and its intersection with various aspects of art and life. Location, Rogers Experimental House, 121 W Walnut Street, Rogers, AR. CLICK HERE for schedule.

2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. – AI general lesson

2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. – interactive on AI art & Video

3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – questions and chat

4:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. – AI general lesson

4:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. – interactive session on art & Video

5:15 p.m. p.m. – questions, chat.

6:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m. interactive art creation

Crossing over to the dark side: Floyd will also exhibit art created in the styles of classical paintings and photographic realism. “My particular interests lend themselves to a graphic novel--almost film noir--style,” he explained. A retired telecom professional with an education degree, he taught digital art for five years before venturing into the AI platform. Since that time, his research has led him to develop content to share his knowledge and experience with others. Through a 3^rd Space Grant funded by Walmart Foundation, he is collaborating with Art on the Bricks, Artists of Northwest Arkansas, and the Rogers Lowell Chamber to develop several individual AI art classes to be offered at Rogers Experimental House on Wednesday evenings in the coming weeks.  The courses are suitable for both artists and business owners who want to utilize AI to explore productivity and creativity. Participants may choose from one or several basic, intermediate, and advanced classes.

Going Forward: “This is the time for both the young and old to learn the concepts of AI Prompt engineering,” explained Floyd. “To remain relevant, today’s graphic artists and advertising copy writers will find advantages to adapting to this technology,” he continued. “This technology will also create many new jobs for those that can grasp the techniques and use a creativity they didn't know existed.” AI art can simulate any number of techniques.

Hit the Bricks: 20+ pop-ups are taking place in galleries, shops and restaurants will partner with area artists to highlight the creative talent of members of our community. Meet artists and crafters of all mediums and support the local creative economy in Downtown Rogers.

See

Highlights and Live performances

Dave Floyd’s AI Generative Art

CLICK HERE for the interactive map.

AI Appreciation Day Background: A Google search for “Artificial Intelligence Day” yielded few references and links, but defines July 16 as Artificial Intelligence Appreciation Day. According to Holiday Calender IO, “This special day has been around since the late 1990s when it was created to recognize and acknowledge the many uses of artificial intelligence in our everyday lives. From voice recognition software, robotics, healthcare diagnostics and beyond, AI has become an integral part of how we interact with technology today.” The day was designed to highlight AI ethics and encourages a national conversation about ethics as it relates to Artificial Intelligence.  Artificial intelligence, as opposed to natural intelligence produced by humans and animals, is intelligence exhibited by machines. A.I. research is defined as the scientific study of intelligent agents. This refers to machines that understand their surroundings and act to increase their chances of reaching their objectives.

It’s our mission-work:  The Rogers Lowell Chamber attracts new investments to our historic downtown community while supporting small business growth.

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:  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.

2023 SPONSORS: Make Art on the Bricks one of your third space destinations 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 Sponsors: Arvest Bank, and Washington Regional Urgent Care-Rogers, Media Sponsors: KNWA/Fox 24 News, iHeartMedia, Signage Sponsors: 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.