Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts

Creative Saturdays
2025-09-13 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Celebrate self-expression and style inspired by AMFA’s exhibition Kwame Brathwaite: The 1970s! Create a self-portrait that highlights your unique look and personality, then display it in a bold, patterned frame reminiscent of the vibrant era.
At Creative Saturdays, guests of all ages and abilities are welcome. Just drop in and enjoy a free, family-friendly art-making activity in AMFA’s Windgate Art School – no registration required!

Creative Saturdays are supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation.
Kwame Brathwaite: The 1970s is organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
This exhibition is organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported in part by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied on all classes through 2025.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Art Start
2025-09-16 10:30 - 11:30
Join us for a reading of Construction, a book that captures the excitement of making something new. After story time, create collage houses using mixed media materials that reflect the quiet, dreamlike world of Staging Silence (3) by Hans Op de Beek.
Art Start is an early reader program that pairs children’s books with art activities, inviting toddlers and preschool students to learn through reading, imaginative play, and art-making.
This free program welcomes parents, grandparents, caregivers, and our youngest patrons to drop in and explore with us – no reservations required!

Art Start is supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation and Walmart Spark Good.
Staging Silence (3): Hans Op de Beeck is organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.

Dual Perspectives on Art and Healing
2025-09-18 18:00 - 19:30
Learn how art practices intersect with the process of healing from trauma. Presented in conjunction with Death of Kings at AMFA and War Toys: Ukraine at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, this discussion brings together two compelling bodies of work that confront the emotional toll of war.
Join artists Ben Grimes and Brian McCarty for this powerful conversation that will explore artmaking as a form of healing through theatrical and photographic lenses.
Ben Grimes is a playwright and actor, and the founder of Riverside Actors Theatre, a theatre ensemble centered on elevating veterans’ stories. Brian McCarty is a photographer and the founder and executive director of War Toys® – a non-profit organization devoted to gathering and disseminating children’s firsthand accounts of war through art-therapy-based collaborations around the world.

Dual Perspectives on Art and Healing is supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation.
Death of Kings is supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and Cardinal Counseling. Mental health support provided in collaboration with Dr. Jason Williams at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Cardinal Counseling.
Children’s Theatre and Performing Arts programs are supported in part by the Shubert Foundation and the Alice L. Walton Foundation.
Photos courtesy of the artists.

Creative Saturdays with Art Start
2025-09-20 10:00 - 13:00
Celebrate America’s upcoming 250th anniversary by designing your own flag inspired by the American art on view at AMFA! Using colorful felt, create a unique flag that represents your personal story, values, and vision for the future.
At Creative Saturdays, guests of all ages and abilities are welcome. Just drop in and enjoy a free, family-friendly art-making activity in AMFA’s Windgate Art School – no registration required!
For preschool-aged children, do not miss Art Start at 10:30 a.m. in the Amerine/Calhoun Glass Box, where there will be a playful live reading of Good Night America by Adam Gamble. After story time, young artists can decorate their own miniature flags.

Creative Saturdays with Art Start is supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation and Walmart Spark Good.
The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported in part by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied on all classes through 2025.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Art Start
2025-09-24 10:30 - 11:30
Learn about our country’s landmarks, traditions, and symbols during a live reading of Good Night America by Adam Gamble. After story time, decorate a miniature flag in celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary and the artworks on view that honor this milestone.
Art Start is an early reader program that pairs children’s books with art activities, inviting toddlers and preschool students to learn through reading, imaginative play, and art-making.
This free program welcomes parents, grandparents, caregivers, and our youngest patrons to drop in and explore with us – no reservations required!

Art Start is supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation and Walmart Spark Good.

Death of Kings
2025-09-26 19:00 - 20:15, 2025-09-27 14:00 - 15:15, 2025-09-28 14:00 - 15:15
Death of Kings traces the journey of an American soldier from enlistment and deployment to reintegration into society.
Written by a military veteran from Arkansas, this poignant play explores the profound effects of war, trauma, and mental health, emphasizing how the art of storytelling can serve as a transformative tool for healing and resilience, both for soldiers and civilians. By weaving Shakespearean texts and drawing from advancements in neuroscience and drama therapy, he reveals a path to recovery and the true cost of freedom.
After the performance, an interactive demonstration will offer a deeper exploration of techniques designed for healing and coping with trauma. This thought-provoking experience will be followed by a brief conversation with individuals from the worlds of art and healing, giving audiences an opportunity to learn more and ask questions.
“This piece is not just about war—it’s about what happens when we don’t create space for healing. It’s about what we carry, what we bury, and what we lift up.”– Ben Grimes, Playwright
Running Time: 55 minutesRecommended Age: 12 and up

Watch Trailer

Death of Kings is supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and Cardinal Counseling. Mental health support provided in collaboration with Dr. Jason Williams at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Cardinal Counseling.
Children’s Theatre and Performing Arts programs are supported in part by the Shubert Foundation and the Alice L. Walton Foundation.

Creative Saturdays
2025-09-27 10:00 - 13:00
Celebrate America’s upcoming 250th anniversary by designing your own postcard! Take inspiration from the landscape depicted in Thomas Hart Benton’s painting Clay County Farm to create an illustration of your everyday life, considering your community, local landscape, and cultural heritage.
At Creative Saturdays, guests of all ages and abilities are welcome. Just drop in and enjoy a free, family-friendly art-making activity in AMFA’s Windgate Art School – no registration required!

Creative Saturdays are supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation.
The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported in part by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied on all classes through 2025.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Making Together: Collage and Paint
2025-09-28 13:00 - 16:00
Inspired by Lori Larusso: Paradox of Plenty on view in the Robyn and John Horn Gallery, this Making Together invites you to connect your personal narratives in layers through collaging.
Collaborate to create your story through mixed media, painting, drawing, and found imagery, and learn how to build a meaningful composition together.
Making Together offers families an opportunity to come together and create. Register now to enjoy a day full of artmaking fun with your child!

Lori Larusso: A Paradox of Plenty is supported in part by The Brown Foundation, Inc. of Houston.
This exhibition is organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied to all classes through 2025.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Creative Saturdays
2025-10-04 10:00 - 13:00
Inspired by Louise Nevelson’s sculptural work in AMFA’s new exhibition Architects of Being: Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina, create colorful three-dimensional compositions using found objects. Explore texture, shape, and layering as you build your unique artwork.
At Creative Saturdays, guests of all ages and abilities are welcome. Just drop in and enjoy a free, family-friendly art-making activity in AMFA’s Windgate Art School – no registration required!

Creative Saturdays are supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation.
Architects of Being: Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina is supported in part by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Alan Dubois Fund for Contemporary Craft, Ellsworth Kelly Foundation, Anita Davis, and the Jewish Federation of Arkansas.
The catalog for Architects of Being: Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina is supported in part by the Wyeth Foundation for American Art.

This exhibition is organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported in part by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied on all classes through 2025.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Youth Theatre Auditions
2025-10-05 13:00 - 16:00
AMFA is casting community youth actors aged 10 and up for our upcoming holiday show Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! Register now and come prepared to sing, dance, read scenes, and play theatre games – all materials will be provided.
Community roles are volunteer positions. Actors must be able to commit to evening and weekend rehearsals October 20 – November 23, 2025, and weekday and weekend rehearsals and performances November 24 – December 21, 2025.

Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! is supported in part by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Cindy and Greg Feltus.
Children’s Theatre and Performing Arts programs are supported in part by the Shubert Foundation and the Alice L. Walton Foundation.
Photo: Iwan Baan.

Art Start
2025-10-08 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-10-14 10:30 - 11:30
Join us for a reading of Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina, a story of a peddler, mischievous monkeys, and a stack of colorful caps. After story time, decorate your own paper hat using vibrant materials, patterns, and flair to create your own take on the peddler’s famous caps.
Art Start is an early reader program that pairs children’s books with art activities, inviting toddlers and preschool students to learn through reading, imaginative play, and art-making.
This free program welcomes parents, grandparents, caregivers, and our youngest patrons to drop in and explore with us – no reservations required!

Art Start is supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation and Walmart Spark Good.
Architects of Being: Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina is supported in part by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Alan DuBois Fund for Contemporary Craft, Ellsworth Kelly Foundation, Anita Davis, and the Jewish Federation of Arkansas.
The catalogue for Architects of Being: Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina is supported in part by the Wyeth Foundation for American Art.

This exhibition is organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts

Creative Saturdays
2025-10-11 10:00 - 13:00
Inspired by the Ballet Arkansas’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, create dramatic cut-paper silhouettes. Use bold shapes and striking contrasts to capture the mysterious and enchanting mood of the ballet in your unique artwork.
At Creative Saturdays, guests of all ages and abilities are welcome. Just drop in and enjoy a free, family-friendly art-making activity in AMFA’s Windgate Art School – no registration required!

Creative Saturdays are supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation.
The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported in part by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied on all classes through 2025.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Fridays on the Lawn with Cody Dickinson
2025-10-17 17:00 - 20:00
The fun of Fridays on the Lawn continues this fall with live music! Bring a blanket to relax and enjoy a fun night of tunes, drinks, and food with your friends and family on AMFA’s Event Lawn.
Let the music inspire you to be creative at a drawing easel and express yourself with the help of an instructor, or take a walk through the Museum grounds to explore our outdoor sculptures. Relax and stay awhile as you start your weekend at AMFA!
This week’s special guest performer is Cody Dickinson, an American roots musician and Grammy award-winning producer best known as the co-founder of North Mississippi Allstars.
Please note that coolers and outside food or beverages are not permitted.

Fridays on the Lawn is supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation.
Photo by Bob Bayne.

Family Fest: Architects of Being
2025-10-18 10:00 - 13:00
Celebrate the creative intersection of fashion and sculpture at this free, family-friendly event inspired by AMFA’s groundbreaking new exhibition, Architects of Being.
Drop in and discover art-making activities where you can build shadow-box sculptures, design wearable art, and sketch original fashion concepts. Take a moment to explore the exhibition and move to the beat of a live DJ – this is where your personal identity and creative expression are welcome to shine.

Family Fest: Architects of Being is supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation.
Architects of Being: Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina is supported in part by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Alan Dubois Fund for Contemporary Craft, Ellsworth Kelly Foundation, Anita Davis, and the Jewish Federation of Arkansas.
The catalog for Architects of Being: Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina is supported in part by the Wyeth Foundation for American Art.

This exhibition is organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Flurffy’s Tales for Sale
2025-10-18 11:00 - 12:30, 2025-10-25 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-11-01 11:00 - 12:30
Flurffy and his fabulous friends are hosting a dazzling fashion show to raise money for charity—but disaster strikes when their costumes mysteriously vanish! Were they stolen… or did they sashay away on their own?
To crack the case, the gang must dive into a whirlwind of storytelling adventures—acting out wild, whimsical tales in hopes of uncovering clues and retrieving their lost looks.
Join Flurffy, AMFA’s beloved pink puppet dog, in this all-new original production full of mystery, mischief, and unexpected twists. With themes of teamwork and friendship taking center stage, Flurffy’s Tales for Sales is bursting with theatrical fun for audiences of all ages.
Come dressed in your favorite spooky costume and enjoy a special Halloween-themed artmaking activity before the show!
The show’s runtime is approximately 30 minutes, with showtimes starting at 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Flurffy’s Tales for Sale is supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation.
Children’s Theatre and Performing Arts programs are supported in part by the Shubert Foundation and the Alice L. Walton Foundation.

Art Start
2025-10-22 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-10-28 10:30 - 11:30
Celebrate spooky season with a reading of The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Creepy-Crawly Halloween, a fun and festive story perfect for little readers. After story time, use air-dry clay and colorful decorations to create your own miniature pumpkins.
Art Start is an early reader program that pairs children’s books with art activities, inviting toddlers and preschool students to learn through reading, imaginative play, and art-making.
This free program welcomes parents, grandparents, caregivers, and our youngest patrons to drop in and explore with us – no reservations required!

Art Start is supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation and Walmart Spark Good.

Creative Saturdays
2025-10-25 10:00 - 13:00
Inspired by AMFA’s exhibition Uncommon Threads in Contemporary Art, create simple, colorful weavings using a variety of fabrics and art materials. Explore texture and patterns as you weave together your own unique piece that celebrates the art of fibers.
At Creative Saturdays, guests of all ages and abilities are welcome. Just drop in and enjoy a free, family-friendly art-making activity in AMFA’s Windgate Art School – no registration required!

Creative Saturdays are supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation.
Uncommon Threads in Contemporary Art is supported in part by the Alan DuBois Fund for Contemporary Craft.
This exhibition is organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported in part by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied on all classes through 2025.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Fridays on the Lawn with Big Dam Horns
2025-10-31 17:00 - 20:00
The fun of Fridays on the Lawn continues this fall with live music! Bring a blanket to relax and enjoy a fun night of tunes, drinks, and food with your friends and family on AMFA’s Event Lawn.
Let the music inspire you to be creative at a drawing easel and express yourself with the help of an instructor, or take a walk through the Museum grounds to explore our outdoor sculptures. Relax and stay awhile as you start your weekend at AMFA!
This week’s special guest performer is Big Dam Horns, a Little Rock-based, 12-piece powerhouse band known for their electrifying performances and an irresistible blend of funk, soul, rock, and R&B.
Please note that coolers and outside food or beverages are not permitted.

Fridays on the Lawn is supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation.
Photo courtesy of the artist.

Creative Saturdays
2025-11-01 10:00 - 13:00
Inspired by the rooted traditions of Día de los Muertos, create bright and beautiful paper marigolds. Marigolds are used to honor loved ones through their vibrant color and symbolic meaning. Craft your own blossoms to take home or add to a community altar.
At Creative Saturdays, guests of all ages and abilities are welcome. Just drop in and enjoy a free, family-friendly art-making activity in AMFA’s Windgate Art School – no registration required!

Creative Saturdays are supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation.
The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported in part by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied on all classes through 2025.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Making Together: Stitching Stories
2025-11-02 13:00 - 16:00
Inspired by the art on view in Uncommon Threads in Contemporary Art, weave your personal narrative using mixed media art materials. Sew layers of colors and threads to create your story, using fabric and photography to build meaningful artwork.
Making Together offers families an opportunity to come together and create. Register now to enjoy a day full of artmaking fun with your child!

Uncommon Threads in Contemporary Art is supported in part by the Alan DuBois Fund for Contemporary Craft.
This exhibition is organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied to all classes through 2025.

Art Start
2025-11-05 10:30 - 11:30
Join us for a reading of Rosie Revere, Engineer, a story celebrating creativity and problem-solving. After the reading, create your own small-scale, twisted sculptures inspired by Louise Nevelson’s dynamic work featured in AMFA’s Architects of Being exhibition.
Art Start is an early reader program that pairs children’s books with art activities, inviting toddlers and preschool students to learn through reading, imaginative play, and art-making.
This free program welcomes parents, grandparents, caregivers, and our youngest patrons to drop in and explore with us – no reservations required!

Art Start is supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation and Walmart Spark Good.
Architects of Being: Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina is supported in part by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Alan Dubois Fund for Contemporary Craft, Ellsworth Kelly Foundation, Anita Davis, and the Jewish Federation of Arkansas.
The catalogue for Architects of Being: Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina is supported in part by the Wyeth Foundation for American Art.

This exhibition is organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.

Creative Saturdays
2025-11-08 10:00 - 13:00
Inspired by the unique jewelry pieces featured in AMFA’s exhibition Architects of Being: Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina, transform recycled art materials into playful and stylish wearable jewelry. Explore shapes, textures, and colors as you craft one-of-a-kind accessories.
At Creative Saturdays, guests of all ages and abilities are welcome. Just drop in and enjoy a free, family-friendly art-making activity in AMFA’s Windgate Art School – no registration required!

Creative Saturdays are supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation.
Architects of Being: Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina is supported in part by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Alan Dubois Fund for Contemporary Craft, Ellsworth Kelly Foundation, Anita Davis, and the Jewish Federation of Arkansas.
The catalog for Architects of Being: Louise Nevelson and Esphyr Slobodkina is supported in part by the Wyeth Foundation for American Art.

This exhibition is organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported in part by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied on all classes through 2025.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters.
