It’s hip to be square: The January Art on the Bricks Art Walk in Downtown Rogers is unlocking emotions with shape psychology in design--with a particular focus on squares. Experience paintings, quilts, mosaics, woodworking, photography and more, many using squares as design elements. Featured artist, R.J. Lawlor, is known for her bold and expressive paintings. Lawlor employs simplicity combined with abstract forms, shapes, and textures to create impactful compositions.

Be there AND be square: Paint one of the squares that surround “Whistle Stop” a new community art project -- a four-foot square quilt design painted on wood. Children and adults are invited to participate in a community art-making project from 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Thursday, January 11 during Art on the Bricks Art Walk. Mechel Wall, the Benton County coordinator of the Arkansas Quilt Trails, worked with Rogers Lowell Chamber to offer a painting station at Rogers Experimental House. The community is invited to paint the border of the 48” square wood quilt that, once complete, will be installed on an exterior wall of Andora Real Estate, 401 N 2nd Street. The community is invited to begin their tour at Rogers Experimental House, 121 W Walnut Street, and explore several other galleries and pop-up shops as we highlight the beauty of the square.

Join the squares: Art on the Bricks Art Walk patrons of all ages are invited to participate in a community art-making project. Mechel Wall, the Benton County coordinator of the Arkansas Quilt Trails, worked with the Chamber to offer a painting station at Rogers Experimental House.

Backgrounder: The Arkansas Quilt Trail is a series of painted wood images that represent fabric quilts.

• Barn quilts are usually hung on a barn or a similar structure and are often referred to as barn quilts.
• Counties need 12 or more approved blocks before being added to the official trail site.
• The quilt square being completed during the Art on the Bricks Art Walk is the 12th new square in Benton County! Artists may still submit designs and participate in the project. Learn more here.
• These quilt blocks are traditionally seen in the country, but any Arkansas county resident, regardless of their location, urban or rural, may participate in the project.

The softer side of quilts: Lost Ozark Dawn, a local group of sewers, invite you to get lost in sewing. This organization helps others learn while sharing the experience and art of sewing. These talented makers are exhibiting several handmade quilts at Rogers Experimental House during the January Art on the Bricks Art Walk. The organization offers sewing groups, events, and classes for all ages. Regardless of one’s sewing experience, their goal is to assist others in developing their knowledge and skill, while creating friendships. Lost Ozark Dawn believes though sewing may, at times, be a tedious, expensive hobby, anyone with a desire to sew can obtain it easily and affordably.

Quilts for Kids: A ministry of First United Methodist Church, Quilts for Kids will be represented by members who make, donate and sell quilts to support the Church’s missions as well as various community organizations.

In the house: House 1830 is welcoming their featured Artist, Dustin Miller, and his exploration of animals using abstract square grid format.

What so big about squares? 

How artists use shapes: Understanding the psychology of shapes empowers artists to make intentional choices that align with the message and emotions they want to convey. Different shapes can be combined, manipulated, and arranged to create visually compelling and emotionally resonant designs. It's a powerful tool that adds depth and meaning to the visual language of design.

Squared away: The psychological impact of shapes is a fundamental aspect of visual communication, and artists and designers often leverage this knowledge to elicit desired responses from their audience. Works of art are intended to communicate something specific, often in a subtle, non-verbal manner. By understanding the psychology of shapes, an artist can use them in such a way that they support their message. One of the most familiar geometric shapes in design, the square format, is appealing for many reasons:

• Squares symbolize order, trust, and a sense of being grounded.
• Squares are used to organize and define a design, adding comforting structure along the way.
• Square shapes may offer symmetry and stability with clean lines and minimalism.
• Additionally, squares are often seen as being practical and functional, making them a popular choice in design and architecture.

See images of art by artists participating in this month’s Art on the Bricks Art Walk.