Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts

Creative Saturdays
2026-01-17 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Drawing inspiration from Uncommon Threads in Contemporary Art, craft a unique fabric wall hanging using vibrant textiles, ribbons, and mixed materials. Explore texture, color, and pattern as you design a piece that celebrates the creativity of fiber art.
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!

The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
The Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported in part by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied on all classes through 2026.
Uncommon Threads in Contemporary Art is organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Yoga at the Museum (SOLD OUT)
2026-01-17 10:15 - 11:00
Immerse yourself in a 45-minute yoga session surrounded by inspiring art and stunning architecture. Led by yoga instructor Sarah Thomas, this event welcomes both beginners and regular yoga practitioners in a calm and encouraging space.
Participants must bring their own yoga mat.
About Sarah Thomas
Thomas is a yoga instructor at Sage Health and the author of Chair Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis and Chronic Pain, a book that extends her mission of supporting others in their wellness journeys.
She is a certified health and wellness lifestyle coach through Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health focused on helping pre-diabetic, diabetic, and cardiovascular patients achieve healthier lives.
Yoga photo courtesy of Ebony Blevins.

Gallery Tour
2026-01-17 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-01-31 10:30 - 11:30
Drop in and discover AMFA with a free docent-led tour through the galleries!
With this fun, engaging, and memorable experience, guests of all ages are invited to explore the art on view while learning how to interpret and appreciate works of art in various media.

Gallery Tours are supported in part by Fleur S. Bresler.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Yoga at the Museum
2026-01-17 11:15 - 12:00

Drop-in Expressive Painting with Music
2026-01-18 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-01 13:00 - 16:00
Create expressive paintings inspired by the energy and emotion of music!
Working with Little Rock artist, Hamid Ebrahimifar, practice improvisational painting that mirrors the spontaneity and flow of sound. Hamid will guide you through techniques that allow music to shape your artistic expression. A live musician will provide an immersive soundtrack that enhances the creative atmosphere.
Participants are encouraged to bring tempera paint, brushes, and a painting surface (mixed media paper, canvas, or board). In addition to your own materials, you will have access to tempera paint and a handmade calligraphy brush to use during the session.

The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
The Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied to all classes through 2026.
Artwork by Hamid Ebrahimifar.

Art Start
2026-01-21 10:30 - 11:30
Nurture your early learner’s creativity through art, music, movement, and play! Art Start invites toddlers and preschoolers to explore in a welcoming environment that encourages curiosity, imagination, and growth. Each session features a story, song, and artmaking activity, plus a special letter or instrument of the day to spark hands-on discovery for families and caregivers to enjoy together.
Drop by on this day to experience the story Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin, a fun and musical story about keeping a positive attitude when things do not go as planned. Then, create an artwork using buttons influenced by AMFA’s exhibition, Uncommon Threads in Contemporary Art.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters

Drop-in Figure Drawing
2026-01-21 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-04 18:00 - 21:00
Immerse yourself in a three-hour drawing session set in an untutored environment at the Windgate Art School. This dynamic experience will feature a variety of timed poses with draped and undraped models, providing an excellent opportunity for first-time students and experienced artists alike to hone their skills.
Students must be 18+ to attend, as the session may use the undraped model. An instructor will moderate the session and be available for critiques and questions upon request.
Students are encouraged to bring their own materials or purchase materials from the AMFA Museum Store. Recommended materials are graphite drawing pencils, charcoals, and a kneaded eraser. Basic drawing materials will also be available.

The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
The Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied to all classes through 2026.
Photo: Iwan Baan.

Drop-in Printmaking
2026-01-21 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-04 18:00 - 21:00
Experiment with printmaking during this three-hour drop-in experience at AMFA’s Windgate Art School. Open to beginner and experienced artists alike, it’s a great way to learn a new art form or work independently on your own projects.
An instructor will moderate the session and be available for critiques and questions upon request. Students are encouraged to bring their own materials or purchase materials from the AMFA Museum Store.
Recommended materials are a carving block, five-piece cutters and stamp carving tool, and high-quality paper. Basic printmaking materials will also be available.

The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
The Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied to all classes through 2026.
Photo: Rachel Cobler.

Curator Spotlight: Meet Stefanie Kirkland
2026-01-22 11:00 - 12:00
Experience AMFA’s permanent collection and experts up close and personal! Meet Stefanie Kirkland, AMFA’s new Windgate Curator of Contemporary Craft, and discover several of the Museum’s latest acquisitions before the artwork goes on display in the galleries.
After enjoying this exclusive event, complete your visit with a lunch reservation at Park Grill.
Not in Circle Society? Join today or upgrade your membership to access tickets for this event, or call 501.396.0348 for more information.

Concert Series: Bette Smith
2026-01-22 19:30 - 21:00
Critically acclaimed and blessed with a voice described as “raspy,” “sassy,” “raunchy” and “sweet ’n soulful,” Bette grippingly fuses the soul, rock & roll, funk, blues, and gospel music she heard in her Brooklyn youth into something all her own.
The young Bette Smith would have no idea that her music would take her around the world, from shows in America headlining and supporting the likes of Kenny Wayne Shepherd and the Drive-By Truckers to spotlights in the pages of The New York Times, Billboard, Paste, Bust, and beyond; from the airwaves of NPR World Café and the top 40 of the Americana Music Radio Chart to official Spotify playlist adds and a song streamed well over a million times.
She traveled to the UK to make her new album Goodthing with GRAMMY Award-winning producer Jimmy Hogarth (Amy Winehouse, James Blunt, James Bay, Anonhi & The Johnsons, Sia, Corinne Bailey Rae, Tina Turner). Hogarth attests, “Bette is the real deal. Her delivery is the truth and comes straight from the heart. She is able to communicate with ease with her wonderful gift of a voice and I was delighted to work on this record.”

The 2025-2026 Concert Series is supported in part by John H. Dean DDS and Mary Ann Coleman, Mimi San Pedro, Olivia Farrell, and Susan Conley.
Photo by Shervin Lainez.

Art For Two: Still Life Paintings (POSTPONED)
2026-01-23 18:00 - 21:00
Experience the art of acrylic painting and learn how to create a colorful still life. An expert instructor will lead you step-by-step to explore the interplay of color and texture as you develop skills and bring your artistic vision to life on canvas.
This Art For Two is perfect for novice students and experienced artists looking to expand their techniques while enjoying a creative night out.
Art For Two is the perfect one-night class experience for two where you each take home a finished piece. Class materials, a charcuterie board, and refreshments are included, no skills required – just come ready to create, unwind, and add some artistic spark to your evening.

The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
The Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied to all classes through 2026.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Art For Two: Pottery on the Wheel (POSTPONED)
2026-01-23 18:00 - 21:00
Learn how to throw pottery on a wheel!
Art For Two is the perfect one-night class experience for two where you each take home a finished piece. Class materials, a charcuterie board, and refreshments are included, no skills required – just come ready to create, unwind, and add some artistic spark to your evening.
Your creations will be fired and ready for pick up approximately four weeks after the class.

The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
The Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied to all classes through 2026.

Creative Saturdays (CANCELED)
2026-01-24 10:00 - 13:00
Create layered gelli prints inspired by Nathalie Miebach: Under A Restless Sky. Use weather and nature-themed stencils to explore color, pattern, and rhythm in your own atmospheric 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!

Nathalie Miebach: Under A Restless Sky is supported in part by The Brown Foundation, Inc. of Houston and Bank of America.
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.
The Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported in part by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied on all classes through 2026.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Exhibition Tour: A Paradox of Plenty (CANCELED)
2026-01-24 10:30 - 11:30
Take a docent-led tour of AMFA’s exhibition Lori Larusso: A Paradox of Plenty – the artist’s first solo museum exhibition of her playful painting installations taking over the Robyn and John Horn Gallery.
Enjoy a guided look at several carefully selected works on view, gain a richer connection to the exhibition, and leave with a new understanding of Larusso’s artistic practice.

Exhibition Tour: A Paradox of Plenty is supported in part by Fleur S. Bresler.
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.
ARTWORK: Lori Larusso (Massillon, Ohio, 1980 – ), Flotsam & Jetsam (detail), 2025, acrylic paint on cut-out acrylic panels, 28 x 110 in., Courtesy of the artist.

Expressive Portrait Drawing Workshop (POSTPONED)
2026-01-24 14:00 - 17:00
Learn the basics of drawing expressive portraits using traditional pencils and charcoal techniques. Explore facial anatomy, model positioning, and lighting to create depth and mood while capturing emotion and personality.
Whether you are a beginner or refining your skills, receive expert instruction and practical guidance to capture personality and original characteristics, bringing your portraits to life.

The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
The Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied to all classes through 2026.
Artwork by Dominique Simmons.

Drop-in Expressive Painting with Music (CANCELED)
2026-01-25 13:00 - 16:00

Art Start (CANCELED)
2026-01-28 10:30 - 11:30
Nurture your early learner’s creativity through art, music, movement, and play! Art Start invites toddlers and preschoolers to explore in a welcoming environment that encourages curiosity, imagination, and growth. Each session features a story, song, and artmaking activity, plus a special letter or instrument of the day to spark hands-on discovery for families and caregivers to enjoy together.
Drop by on this day to experience the story Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin, a fun and musical story about keeping a positive attitude when things do not go as planned. Then, create an artwork using buttons influenced by AMFA’s exhibition, Uncommon Threads in Contemporary Art.

Uncommon Threads in Contemporary Art is supported in part by the Alan DuBois Fund for Contemporary Craft.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.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters

Drop-in Figure Drawing (CANCELED)
2026-01-28 18:00 - 21:00

Drop-in Printmaking (CANCELED)
2026-01-28 18:00 - 21:00

Creative Saturdays
2026-01-31 10:00 - 13:00
Create colorful kaleidoscopes inspired by the connections between art and science with LISA Academy! Using mirror board, paper, and vibrant materials, explore pattern, reflection, and symmetry to design a one-of-a-kind optical creation that celebrates STEAM.
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!
About LISA Academy
Founded in 2004, LISA Academy is a tuition-free, open-enrollment K–12 public charter school network in Arkansas. The school specializes in STEM-C-focused, college-preparatory education that inspires students to innovate, achieve, and thrive. With a strong record of academic excellence, opportunities, and family partnerships, LISA Academy prepares students for both higher education and meaningful careers.

The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
The Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported in part by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied on all classes through 2026.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Woodturned Bottlestoppers Workshop (SOLD OUT)
2026-01-31 14:00 - 17:00
This one-session workshop offers an excellent introduction to woodturning, perfect for beginners or those looking to try something new. The instructor will cover fundamental woodturning techniques, including proper tool handling, methods for shaping wood, and essential lathe safety practices.
After a brief demonstration, students will practice these techniques hands-on before creating two unique wine bottle stoppers to take home. With step-by-step guidance from an expert woodturner, participants will gain confidence in using the lathe and exploring their creativity.
No prior experience is necessary, and all materials are provided for this fun and exciting workshop.

The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
The Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied to all classes through 2026.
Artwork by Kim Fifer.

Art Start
2026-02-04 10:30 - 11:30
Nurture your early learner’s creativity through art, music, movement, and play! Art Start invites toddlers and preschoolers to explore in a welcoming environment that encourages curiosity, imagination, and growth. Each session features a story, song, and artmaking activity, plus a special letter or instrument of the day to spark hands-on discovery for families and caregivers to enjoy together.
Drop by on this day to experience What Time Is It, Mr. Crocdodile? by Judy Sierra, a playful story about planning, patience, and daily routines. Then create a paper cuckoo clock artwork inspired by the AMFA exhibition A Month of Sundays: Art and the Persistence of Time.

The Mid-South Cohort, a multi-year, multi-institutional exhibition partnership formed by the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, in collaboration with the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, the Birmingham Museum of Art, Fisk University Art Gallery, and the Mississippi Museum of Art, is made possible by the Art Bridges Cohort Program. A Month of Sundays: Art and the Persistence of Time was organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.

Image courtesy of Jason Masters

Sneak Series: Pillion
2026-02-04 18:30 - 20:30
The Arkansas Cinema Society and Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts are proud to present A24’s Pillion starring Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård at a special sneak preview screening before its theatrical release on February 6, 2026.
Critics are already raving: Pillion currently holds a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, calling it an “unconventional romance that soars thanks to its nonjudgmental perspective and knockout performances.”
About the Film
Wallflower Colin (Harry Melling) leads a humdrum existence until he meets the impossibly handsome Ray (Alexander Skarsgård), a mysterious biker he is soon desperately devoted to. As Colin submits to Ray and enters an exciting new world of desire, he must decide the limits of his devotion.
Hilarious, subversive and sexy, Pillion is the acclaimed and surprisingly tender love story from writer-director Harry Lighton, starring Melling and Skarsgård in fearless performances as a mild young man and his leather-clad lover.
Run Time: 1 hour, 47 minutes
Rating: R

This screening is presented in partnership with the Arkansas Cinema Society.
Film still courtesy of A24.

Art for Two: Stacked Rings (SOLD OUT)
2026-02-06 18:00 - 21:00
Create a set of stacking rings by customizing to your size and shape, learning to solder brass wire and complete your golden-toned set.
Art For Two is the perfect one-night class experience for two where you each take home a finished piece. Class materials, a charcuterie board, and refreshments are included, no skills required – just come ready to create, unwind, and add some artistic spark to your evening.

The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
The Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied to all classes through 2026.
Artwork by Erin House.

Art for Two: Glass Hummingbirds (SOLD OUT)
2026-02-06 18:00 - 21:00
Create a vibrant and colorful glass hummingbird using the technique of flame-working glass over a torch flame.
Under the expert guidance of a skilled glass artist, you will learn the process of sculpting a delicate hummingbird, from shaping the beak and body to crafting the wings. You will work with a variety of colorful glass rods, using the torch to melt and manipulate the material to form the bird’s features.
Art For Two is the perfect one-night class experience for two where you each take home a finished piece. Class materials, a charcuterie board, and refreshments are included, no skills required – just come ready to create, unwind, and add some artistic spark to your evening.

The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
The Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied to all classes through 2026.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Bead Setting Workshop
2026-02-07 09:00 - 16:00
Learn the precision and artistry of bead setting in this focused jewelry-making workshop. An expert jewelry instructor will guide you through the process of securely setting small stones using traditional bead setting techniques.
Instruction will cover tool selection, surface preparation, layout, drilling, burr work, and using gravers. With hands-on practice and expert guidance, you will develop skills needed to create refined and professional settings, adding sparkle and dimension to your metalwork.
Please bring your lunch for a 12:00–1:00 p.m. break.

The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
The Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied to all classes through 2026.
Artwork by Lucas Pointon.
