Walton Arts Center

[Mith242]

I keep hearing good things from Wu Man. Apparently she stuck around in the area. Yesterday she went to a Rogers elementary school and help educate more people about the pipa and her style of music. Then apparently today she had a free workshop at the university today. It's really great to see her stick around and spend time in our community. Not sure if all of this has anything to do with the WAC commissioning work from her or not.

[mcheiss]

I keep hearing good things from Wu Man. Apparently she stuck around in the area. Yesterday she went to a Rogers elementary school and help educate more people about the pipa and her style of music. Then apparently today she had a free workshop at the university today. It's really great to see her stick around and spend time in our community. Not sure if all of this has anything to do with the WAC commissioning work from her or not.

Yeah, she came to I think Grace Hill Elementary and showed the kids her Pipa. There was an article in todays paper about it.

[mcheiss]

WAC Looking for Bigger Venue

By Northwest Arkansas Business Journal staff

Northwest Arkansas Business Journal - 4/10/06

We hear the Walton Arts Center has solicited bids for a feasibility study for a larger performing arts venue in Northwest Arkansas.

Terry Trotter, vice president of external affairs for the WAC, said the center solicited proposals from about six to 10 firms. The proposals are due in May.

Trotter said if a larger facility were to be built, it would be at least eight to 12 years away.

The center is looking at a larger facility because it could bring in more ticket revenue from the same shows it brings in now. Most facilities that pay larger artist or production fees for Broadway-type performances seat 2,000 to 3,000. The WAC seats 1,200.

[Mith242]

I think this was slightly touched on when we were talking about a parking deck near Dickson. It sounds like in one form or another they will expand. If not to a new building then to expand their current location. I have to wonder what affect it would have if the left Dickson St. It was certainly a catalyst for getting Dickson St where it is now. I think Dickson St has come far enough that it could do just fine without the WAC. I suppose moving the WAC elsewhere could possibly improve another area of the city like it did to Dickson St.

[Aporkalypse]

I think this was slightly touched on when we were talking about a parking deck near Dickson. It sounds like in one form or another they will expand. If not to a new building then to expand their current location. I have to wonder what affect it would have if the left Dickson St. It was certainly a catalyst for getting Dickson St where it is now. I think Dickson St has come far enough that it could do just fine without the WAC. I suppose moving the WAC elsewhere could possibly improve another area of the city like it did to Dickson St.

Boy, what would go where the Arts Center is now? It's be a shame to tear that building down for no reason. I wonder if the university could use it.

From a development standpoint, Dickson would have a better feel if you replaced it with a large mixed use project that brought back the streetscape but that's an expensive building to waste.

[mcheiss]

Boy, what would go where the Arts Center is now? It's be a shame to tear that building down for no reason. I wonder if the university could use it.

From a development standpoint, Dickson would have a better feel if you replaced it with a large mixed use project that brought back the streetscape but that's an expensive building to waste.

Something like a mixed-use idea in that area would work well. I'd hate to see that building leave though.

But they could try to make it like a NWA Childrens Art Center.

[masons_dad1]

^^

Fayetteville could always use WAC for small theater performances like the Rogers Little Theater. It would also make a great place for local bands to perform to larger crowds. There's also plenty of gallery space there and they could move the Nadine Baum Studios in and knock down that building across the street. WAC is something of a Fayetteville landmark and it would be insane to knock it down.

[Mith242]

I didn't neccessarily mean if they move they should tear it down. Although I did hear some of the Dover-Kohl design team say they really didn't care for that building. It wastes space by not being up against the street. They also said it didn't stand out the way it should with it being a 'landmark building'. But I think this was said from a personal standpoint, not neccessarily from an official standpoint.

[Aporkalypse]

I didn't neccessarily mean if they move they should tear it down. Although I did hear some of the Dover-Kohl design team say they really didn't care for that building. It wastes space by not being up against the street. They also said it didn't stand out the way it should with it being a 'landmark building'. But I think this was said from a personal standpoint, not neccessarily from an official standpoint.

I agree with that assessment. When Dickson wasn't doing as well we were thrilled about any kind of project like that. Now with the area positively thriving, I think most people look back on it and wish they'd done a bit more.

[CellarDoor135]

Boy, what would go where the Arts Center is now? It's be a shame to tear that building down for no reason. I wonder if the university could use it.

From a development standpoint, Dickson would have a better feel if you replaced it with a large mixed use project that brought back the streetscape but that's an expensive building to waste.

I heard The University is very interested in the facility. If anyone has been to the University Arts center they would know why! But this is all just floating about as rumors so who knows the truth behind it.

[mcheiss]

I heard The University is very interested in the facility. If anyone has been to the University Arts center they would know why! But this is all just floating about as rumors so who knows the truth behind it.

That would be a great facility for the U of A and it's Fine Arts programs.

[Mith242]

That would be a great facility for the U of A and it's Fine Arts programs.

Yeah I would have to say that it would probably work well for the university. Not sure if the city would have other plans for it or not.

[Mith242]

Has anyone else noticed the sculptures they've put out recently around the WAC?

[mcheiss]

I haven't been down near the WAC in ages, nice to see more culture in the Downtown Fayetteville area.

Kind of Ironic they put out new sculptures with them thinking about moving.

[Mith242]

I haven't been down near the WAC in ages, nice to see more culture in the Downtown Fayetteville area.

Kind of Ironic they put out new sculptures with them thinking about moving.

I admit they really aren't to my personal liking, but still it's nice to have some more sculptures around. Even if they do move it will be years and I suppose they could simply bring them along when or if that happens.

[mcheiss]

It looks like the Walton Arts Center is having Dr. Doolite perfrom from the 30th of June to July 2nd. Seems like a big venue for the Arts Center.

[masons_dad1]

It looks like the Walton Arts Center is having Dr. Doolite perfrom from the 30th of June to July 2nd. Seems like a big venue for the Arts Center.

That's a great family performance. It looks like there's quite a few great performances coming to the Walton Arts Center:

Walton Arts Center Show Schedule:

Ball in the House Mar 2, 2006

The Second City Aug 18, 2006

AIDA Sep 12~17, 2006

Ballet Folklorico de Mexico Oct 10. 2006

Thwak! Oct 17, 2006

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Oct 20, 2006

I Can't Stop Loving You Oct 24~29, 2006

Tales from the Field with Jeff Corwin Oct 22, 2006

STREB - Wild Blue Yonder Nov 10~11, 2006

Canadian Brass Dec 14, 2006

The Producers Jan 2~7, 2007

Mamma Mia! Feb 13~18, 2007

Hamlet Feb 23~24, 2007

KODO Feb 27, 2007

Pluck - The Specialists Mar 9, 2007

LEGENDS! Apr 10~15, 2007

Pirates of Penzance Apr 17, 2007

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Apr 21, 2007

One Man Star Wars Apr 27~28, 2007

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change May 15~20, 2007

Goodbye Mr. Muffin May 25~27. 2007

At least half of those shows are huge!

I'm not sure if anyone was aware of this but there's a Fayetteville-based professional theatre company called TheatreSquared, or T2. "TheatreSquared, Inc. is a regional professional company of artists dedicated to producing exceptional theatre for both adult and youth audiences." "T2's first home is the Studio Theatre, a state-of-the-art black box space designed to comfortably seat an audience of 200, located in downtown Fayetteville on West Street at Nadine Baum Studios."

T2's Show Schedule:

Bad Dates May 19~June 4, 2006 (Premiere Show)

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse Jul 27~Aug 13, 2006

The Last Five Years Nov 9~26, 2006

Cyrano Feb 15~Mar 4, 2007

The Drawer Boy May 17~Jun 3, 2007

My Father's War ~ This new play development project - made possible by a Collaborative Project Grant from the Arkansas Arts Council - will workshop throughout the year with a public staged reading on June 6th, 2007.

I just discovered this theatre company while Googling and now I wonder how many theatre companies there are hiding in Fayetteville? T2 has a nice website with lots of information about how this theatre company is going to really help open up Fayetteville to an "Off-Broadway" experience! Imagine sometime in the near future a certain street in Fayetteville lined with theatres and thousands of people dressed in their finest garb on their way to one of many nightly performances.

TheaterSquared.org

[mcheiss]

I may have to go to these shows, some of them like Hamlet and Pirates of Penzance sound pretty good.

[Mith242]

I've heard mention of Theater Squared but didn't know they had a website.

[mcheiss]

I've heard some interesting news about the WAC.

WAC wants to put public art sculptures along I-540 from Fayetteville to the Missouri Border!!

This idea seems pretty cool IMO, because it can add culture to the area. I hope this gets approval from the Arkansas State Highway Commission and such.

[Mith242]

I've heard some interesting news about the WAC.

WAC wants to put public art sculptures along I-540 from Fayetteville to the Missouri Border!!

This idea seems pretty cool IMO, because it can add culture to the area. I hope this gets approval from the Arkansas State Highway Commission and such.

Yeah I thought someone mentioned this. From what I reas today though it doesn't sound like they'll get permission from them though. Which will mean they'll have to resort to getting approval from numerous private landowners near I-540. It also won't be as close to I-540 either. It's a shame, New Mexico puts up quite a bit of stuff along their interstates. Not sure why Arkansas would be so against it when other states seem to be able to work something out. Maybe this is a question for itk.

[mcheiss]

The problem is that the Highway Commission says if it allows the Art, then pretty much anything can come along the Highway. I wish they could make a special clause up here in Highway Development for allowing only "Art" along the Interstate.

[Mith242]

The problem is that the Highway Commission says if it allows the Art, then pretty much anything can come along the Highway. I wish they could make a special clause up here in Highway Development for allowing only "Art" along the Interstate.

Yeah I wish I could find out how New Mexico handles this situation. Although I have family there I don't know if they'd really know where to find that sort of info out.

[itk]

Yeah I thought someone mentioned this. From what I reas today though it doesn't sound like they'll get permission from them though. Which will mean they'll have to resort to getting approval from numerous private landowners near I-540. It also won't be as close to I-540 either. It's a shame, New Mexico puts up quite a bit of stuff along their interstates. Not sure why Arkansas would be so against it when other states seem to be able to work something out. Maybe this is a question for itk.

What does New Mexico put up on their interstates? I'm assuming that is in Alberquerque, as I can't imagine people driving 70 mph on a rural interstate taking their eyes off the road for extended periods of time while slowing down to enjoy art. That could be bad.

I've seen "sculptured" bridge/overpass structures, "artsy" overpasses, landscaping (smaller vegetation and such). But, from what they seem to indicate is that these would be actual stand-alone sculptures. To engineers, that means a possible safety hazard. Would the artist be liable if someone hits it and is impaled and killed? I don't think so-- the engineer(s) or DOT could. So that is a definite issue that article didn't mention.

Also, I-540 is going to undergo massive construction in the future, so they would most likely be destroyed or removed anyway. IMO, they would be smarter to wait until after I-540 gets reconstructed before making this proposal. Besides, I think decor on overpasses would be better-- you can put sculptures just about anywhere, but with a freeway there is a unique opportunity to turn the existing structures like overpasses into possible works of art.

[Mith242]

What does New Mexico put up on their interstates? I'm assuming that is in Alberquerque, as I can't imagine people driving 70 mph on a rural interstate taking their eyes off the road for extended periods of time while slowing down to enjoy art. That could be bad.

I've seen "sculptured" bridge/overpass structures, "artsy" overpasses, landscaping (smaller vegetation and such). But, from what they seem to indicate is that these would be actual stand-alone sculptures. To engineers, that means a possible safety hazard. Would the artist be liable if someone hits it and is impaled and killed? I don't think so-- the engineer(s) or DOT could. So that is a definite issue that article didn't mention.

Also, I-540 is going to undergo massive construction in the future, so they would most likely be destroyed or removed anyway. IMO, they would be smarter to wait until after I-540 gets reconstructed before making this proposal. Besides, I think decor on overpasses would be better-- you can put sculptures just about anywhere, but with a freeway there is a unique opportunity to turn the existing structures like overpasses into possible works of art.

As far as I-540 is concerned these sculptures are just a temporary exhibit from what I understand, Nothing permanent. In New Mexico yes it is urban areas although I think there are some outside of Albuquerque in some of the other cities.