Downtown Rogers is kicking off Welcoming Week with the Art on the Bricks Art Walk. Pop-up visual art exhibits are taking place in more than 20 locations, and the title event, Yo + Aqui (I + Here), can be found at the Rogers Experimental House. An artist reception and the works of 10+ artists is set for today from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. at 121 W. Walnut St. in Rogers.
Rogers Artist, David Gomez, moved to Northwest Arkansas three years ago with the intention of selling his art and growing professionally as an artist. He has been a sojourner all of his life, moving from place to place with his family as his father is a missionary. His first exposure to the Natural State occurred when he moved from Mexico to Little Rock when he was 14 years old. He was a teenager tasked with learning a new language, a new culture and finding his tribe.
Northwest Arkansas allowed Gomez to flourish as an artist and to find his tribe, yet he doesn’t remember a time when he wasn’t an artist. It will come as no surprise he married an artist, Angie Gomez. She, along with many other artists make up the majority of his tribe. These are the people he best connects with, and they are the people he assembled to curate the art exhibition that kicks off Welcoming Week today at the Rogers Experimental House. Yo + Aqui (I + Here) is an exhibition about newcomers and how the path they took to find their way to Northwest Arkansas allowed them to meet their tribe and become family in their new home.
The exhibit remains through the closing event, Welcome Mat: Newcomers Make an Impact, a community party, set for Saturday, September 17, 7:00 p.m. – midnight. The exhibits include a community glow in the dark art experience with a blacklight dance party and music by DJ810.
Family Friendly Interactive Activities during Art on the Bricks Art Walk
Percussion Drumming – Jump into the Splash Zone! An interactive community event that explores the intersection of music and art provides fun for the whole family. Participants are equipped with disposable coveralls, an artist canvas, paint covered buckets, and drumsticks. They will drum to music using drumsticks and buckets covered in paint. The wet paint is deflected and splashed on individual canvases to create images defined as percussion art. Gomez developed the technique to allow individuals to react to music and color while creating art. Those who stay until 7:30 p.m. during the Art Walk will be treated with a blacklight edition of the experience for glow in the dark drumming fun.
Balloon Sculpture Photography Backdrop - The Pink Paloma is celebrating being a newcomer to NWA, and is in fact a transplant from Las Vegas! This talented artist is adding a towering splash of color to the Rogers Experimental House. The lighter than air structure provides a bit of a treasure hunt. Hidden Gems is the title of the installation that Artist and entrepreneur, Kisha Smith assembled to set the tone of the Art Walk. The balloons offer vibrant color with a welcoming party like atmosphere.
Art on the Bricks Art Walk Galleries and Pop-Up Exhibitions
Thursday, September 8, 2022, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Downtown Rogers serves as the cultural center of the city, with flagship museums, craft breweries, artfully preserved historic buildings, retail and event venues, and unique restaurants and bars hosting live music and a vibrant nightlife. A growing creative economy has organically gravitated to the welcoming community known as the Downtown district, contributing to an authentic creative culture. The public is invited to visit galleries and pop-up exhibits to view art and meet the artists. Twenty plus local businesses contribute to the evolving character of Rogers the second Thursday of every month showcasing original art, hosting live music, offering dance classes and exhibitions to highlight the talent of local, regional, and nationally recognized artists. The monthly event highlights a spirit of entrepreneurship that flows through our historic downtown offering a vibrant and diverse community with participation by area schools, Arkansas Public Theatre, and businesses hosting live music, performing arts, classes and interactive experiences that offer entertainment and educational opportunities.
