Concert Series: René Marie
2025-01-30 19:30 - 21:00 (America/Chicago)
René Marie, known for her dynamic voice and versatile talent, has left an indelible mark on the world of music over two decades. Her work, encompassing 11 albums and numerous performances, transcends genres, blending jazz with elements of folk, R&B, classical, and country.
Rooted in the traditions of jazz icons like Ella Fitzgerald and Dinah Washington, Marie’s compositions explore the depths of human experience, offering a powerful affirmation of the human spirit.
Born in 1955 in Warrenton, Virginia, Marie’s journey in music began with informal exposure to various genres during her childhood. Despite minimal formal training, her passion for music persisted, leading her to sing in R&B bands as a teenager. However, she put her musical ambitions aside to fulfill familial obligations until her late thirties, when she returned to singing.
Facing personal challenges, including leaving an abusive marriage, Marie embraced music as a source of strength and healing. Since then, she has produced numerous albums, performed on stage, and launched initiatives like SLAM, offering vocal therapy sessions.
Marie’s latest album, Sound of Red, showcases her insightful songwriting and sensual vocal delivery, providing a deep emotional resonance for listeners. Through her music, she continues to inspire and uplift audiences, embodying the healing power of music.

Photo courtesy of the artist.

WEBSITE

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The 2024-2025 Concert Series is supported by Saracen Casino Resort.

Drop-in Critique: Ceramic Wheel Throwing
2025-01-31 18:00 - 20:00
Ready to better your understanding of ceramic-making techniques and deepen your knowledge of materials? Bring your questions and ceramic work to discuss in a group setting.
Windgate Art School faculty will lead participants through a thoughtful and respectful critique of artwork and ceramic processes.

Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Creative Saturdays
2025-02-01 10:00 - 13:00
Start your weekend with free art-making fun for all ages and skill levels in AMFA’s Windgate Art School!
Inspired by Anne Lindberg’s installation passage, this Creative Saturdays activity invites you to create your own string artwork. Using Lindberg’s innovative use of thread as your guide, experiment with string to create dynamic designs that explore the interactions of line and color.

Creative Saturdays are supported 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.
Anne Lindberg: passage is presented by Terri and Chuck Erwin with additional support from the Lenore G. Tawney Foundation.

Tool Making for Clay Workshop
2025-02-01 10:00 - 13:00
Create and design a customized wooden tool to use for forming and shaping your clay artwork. Use basic woodworking techniques to carve, cut, and sand a hard wood into a personalized, long-lasting tool for your studio.

Tools by Kim Arcega.

Gallery Tour
2025-02-01 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.

Photo by Jason Masters.

Art Start
2025-02-04 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-02-12 10:30 - 11:30
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!
In this session, we are reading A Walk in Paris and creating abstract landscapes with watercolor crayons.

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

Drop-in Figure Drawing
2025-02-05 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.

Photo: Iwan Baan.
The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.

Drop-in Printmaking
2025-02-05 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-02-12 18:00 - 21:00
Experiment with printmaking during this three-hour drop-in experience at the 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.

Photo by Rachel Cobler.
The Windgate Art School is generously supported by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.

Rivera's Paris Preview Night
2025-02-06 18:00 - 20:00
Take a trip back in time to the world of Rivera’s Paris, an exhibition exploring Diego Rivera’s early years as an artist living in the art capital of the world before he became one of the most influential Mexican painters of the 20th century.
DJ Nick Hud sets the scene at this exclusive preview party with French music, ranging from classic tunes to modern pop and chanson hits, while you enjoy a first look at the exhibition and indulge in Parisian treats.
Not an AMFA Member? Join today for access to this event.

Rivera’s Paris is supported in part by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation with additional support from the Robert Lehman Foundation.
This exhibition is organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
Member Preview: In-Kind support provided by Moon Distributors Inc. and O’Connor Distributing.
ARTWORK: Diego Rivera (Guanajuato, Mexico, 1886 – 1957, Mexico City, Mexico), Dos Mujeres (Two Women) (detail), 1914, oil on canvas, 77 3/4 x 63 1/2 in., Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation Collection: Gift of Abby Rockefeller Mauzé. 1955.010.

Art for Two: Hammered Copper Bracelets (SOLD OUT)
2025-02-07 18:00 - 21:00
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 are required – just come ready to create, unwind, and add some artistic spark to your evening.
In this session, create a hammered copper bracelet with a personalized message or design. Learn how to hammer, bend, and stamp designs onto a piece of heavy copper wire.
Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing that is washable.

Bracelets by Myriam Saavedra.

Family Fest: Rivera's Paris
2025-02-08 10:00 - 13:00
Long before fame and Frida, Diego Rivera set out on a bold journey from Mexico to Europe, chasing his dream of becoming an artist. Now, you can travel alongside Rivera, exploring the vibrant cultures and artistic influences that shaped his iconic style.
Immerse yourself in the music and dance of Rivera’s world, enjoy captivating stories, and roll up your sleeves for hands-on art-making fun! From the lively streets of Mexico to the bustling cities of Spain and France, this event is your family’s ticket to discovering the sights, sounds, and colors that inspired a legend.
Come spark your creativity and uncover the artist in you—there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. / Drawing games in the Cultural Living Room

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. / Still life drawing, portrait drawing, and sculpture-making activities in the Windgate Art School

10:15 a.m. / Dance performance by Danza San Eduardo in the Atrium

11:00 a.m. / Spanish guitar performance by Jean-Paul Francoeur in the Cultural Living Room

11:30 a.m./ Performance of A Tale of Two Flurffys in the Amerine/Calhoun Glass Box

12:40 p.m. / Dance performance by Danza San Eduardo in the Atrium

Family Fest: Rivera’s Paris is supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation.
Rivera’s Paris is supported in part by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation with additional support from the Robert Lehman Foundation.
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.
Flurffy and Friends is supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation.

Exhibition Tour with ASL Interpretation: Rivera's Paris
2025-02-08 10:30 - 11:30
Discover Rivera’s Paris through a docent-led exhibition tour accompanied by an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter!
Take a guided look at several carefully selected works on view and leave with a new understanding and appreciation of Diego Rivera’s life as an artist in the early 20th century.

Rivera’s Paris is supported in part by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation with additional support from the Robert Lehman Foundation.
This exhibition is organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Expressive Watercolor Workshop (SOLD OUT)
2025-02-08 13:00 - 16:00
Explore artwork on view in the AMFA Galleries and learn how to create an expressive watercolor painting. Students will work with watercolor on paper to create artwork inspired by works featured in one of AMFA’s exhibitions.

Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Art Together for Guests with Dementia and their Caregivers
2025-02-11 14:00 - 16:00
Drop in and discover AMFA with a docent-led tour through the galleries!
Led by trained docents and specialists, this tour welcomes guests living with dementia or Alzheimer’s – along with their caregivers and family members – to connect and use art to build cognitive skills. The afternoon concludes with a studio workshop with art educators who lead art-making activities that build creativity and encourage play.
For ease of accessibility, guests are encouraged to arrive early, park on Crescent Drive off Ninth Street on the north side of the Museum, and enter through the Courtyard Entrance.
Availability is limited, so please register yourself and your loved one as soon as possible.

Art Together: Guests with Dementia and their Caregivers is a collaboration with Alzheimer’s Arkansas and is supported in part by Judy C Thompson Rev. Trust.

Fridays in Rivera's Paris
2025-02-14 17:00 - 20:00
Immerse yourself in the world of Rivera’s Paris! Experience a taste of Rivera’s life during the early 1900s with French dinner specials at Park Grill, live jazz performers, and more special surprises across the museum – perfect for a night out.
Park Grill reservations are available at parkgrillatamfa.com. If you cannot snag a reservation, grab a drink and relax in the Cultural Living Room.

Rivera’s Paris is supported in part by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation with additional support from the Robert Lehman Foundation.
This exhibition is organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.

Art For Two: Portrait Mugs (SOLD OUT)
2025-02-14 18:00 - 21:00
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 are required – just come ready to create, unwind, and add some artistic spark to your evening.
In this session, create a mug while learning clay hand-building techniques and other sculpting skills. Have fun adding your own style and personality through sculpting a face onto your mug.
Your creations will be glaze fired with a watertight finish and ready for pickup three weeks after the class.
Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing that is washable.

Mug by Jenn Perren.

Creative Saturdays with Art Start
2025-02-15 10:00 - 13:00
Start your weekend with free art-making fun for all ages and skill levels in AMFA’s Windgate Art School!
Drawing from the striking portraits on view in Rivera’s Paris, this Creative Saturdays activity invites you to learn the basics of drawing the human face and create your own unique portraits.
Using a variety of dry drawing materials and paper, explore techniques that bring the unique personality and character of your subjects to life.
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 live reading of Diego by Jeanette Winter and Jonah Winter.

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.
Rivera’s Paris is supported in part by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation and the Robert Lehman Foundation.
This exhibition is organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.

Exhibition Tour in Spanish: Rivera's Paris
2025-02-15 10:30 - 11:30
Discover Rivera’s Paris through an exhibition tour led by a Spanish-speaking docent!
Take a guided look at several carefully selected works on view and leave with a new understanding and appreciation of Diego Rivera’s life as an artist in the early 20th century.

Rivera’s Paris is supported in part by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation with additional support from the Robert Lehman Foundation.
This exhibition is organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Expressive Painting with Music Workshop (SOLD OUT)
2025-02-15 13:00 - 17:00
This workshop provides an opportunity for participants to create expressive paintings influenced by live music.
Local artist Hamid Ebrahimifar will provide handmade brushes for participants and demonstrate the improvisational painting process.

Painting by Hamid Ebrahimifar.

Ceramic Vase Workshop (SOLD OUT)
2025-02-15 13:00 - 17:00
Create a cylindrical vase inspired by AMFA’s exhibition Rivera’s Paris. Students will visit the AMFA galleries to view select artworks and collect ideas of how to design their vase with color and shapes.
Learn how to use underglaze and carving tools to create designs on your vase. A clear glaze will be applied by staff to brighten colors.

Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Making Together: Portrait of an Artist
2025-02-15 13:30 - 15:30
Visit the Rivera’s Paris exhibition and see all the amazing portraits of artists created in many different styles. Then, return to the studio to work together on creating stunning portraits of each other.
Participants will be led through fun drawing exercises to learn the secrets of drawing the eyes, nose, and mouth before making a final work in watercolor.

Little Rock Premiere: Tippi & Barb
2025-02-16 14:30 - 15:30
From filmmaker Brad Burleson, Tippi & Barb tells the inspiring love story of ACS Board Member, Rep. Tippi McCullough, and her wife, Barb Mariani. When Tippi is fired from a Catholic school after marrying Barb, the couple turns their hardship into a platform for change. Advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights at the local, state, and national levels, they transform adversity into activism.
Tippi & Barb premiered at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (HSDFF) last October and recently won the overall Audience Choice Award at the 2025 Persistence of Vision Film Festival (POV) in Hot Springs.
Following the screening, ACS Founding Board Member and Executive Productor Kathy Webb will reunite with Burleson, McCullough, and Mariani on stage for a Q&A session moderated by Senator Clarke Tucker. Audiences are invited to continue the celebration and conversation during a happy hour reception afterward in the Atrium.
Run Time: 12 minutesRating: Suitable for all audiences

Art Start
2025-02-18 10:30 - 11:30
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!
In this session, we are reading Diego and using pastels to create art like Diego does in the story.

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

A Transformative Gift: The Rockefeller Legacy and the Arts in Arkansas
2025-02-19 10:30 - 11:30
In 1955, Abby Rockefeller Mauzé—daughter of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., and sister of future Governor Winthrop Rockefeller—made a significant gift to the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, then called the Museum of Fine Arts: the monumental painting Dos Mujeres (Two Women) by Diego Rivera. When the painting entered the collection, it marked the beginning of a new era for the museum.
Governor Rockefeller, a visionary dedicated to advancing art and culture as a foundation for Arkansas industry and education, encouraged his sister to give this transformational gift, which inspired generations of Rockefeller and other family donations to follow.
As part of Rivera’s Paris, please join Dr. John A. Kirk, George W. Donaghey Distinguished Professor of History at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, to explore this history, the impact of Dos Mujeres on art in Arkansas, and the enduring legacy of the Rockefellers’ philanthropic efforts in the state.
After the lecture, enjoy brunch at AMFA’s Park Grill. Space is limited. To make reservations, contact: 501-396-0390 or parkgrill@arkmfa.org.

About John Kirk

John A. Kirk is the George W. Donaghey Distinguished Professor of History at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He has authored, edited, or co-edited ten books including, most recently, Winthrop Rockefeller: From New Yorker to Arkansawyer, 1912-1956 (Fayetteville: University of Arkansas Press, 2022), which won the 2024 Booker Worthen Literary Prize from the Central Arkansas Library System and the 2024 John G. Ragsdale Book Award from the Arkansas Historical Association.

Kirk has published numerous book chapters, articles, and media pieces that have appeared in The Guardian, The Atlantic, The Huffington Post, PBS, CNN, The History Channel, and BBC Radio. His research has been supported by numerous grants and fellowships including at the Roosevelt Study Centre (Middleburg, The Netherlands), the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library (Boston), and the Rockefeller Archive Center (New York).

Rivera’s Paris is partially funded by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation with additional support from the Robert Lehman Foundation.
This exhibition is organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.

AMFA Art Salon (CANCELED)
2025-02-19 17:00 - 20:00
This event has been canceled due to incoming winter weather.
Great artistic minds come together during a social gathering inspired by 20th-century salons in the era of Rivera’s Paris. Full of creative exchange and open dialogue, these intimate and exciting spaces once invited artists and philosophers alike to debate and dine as one – but now, you get to join in on the fun.
Two of AMFA’s Windgate Art School instructors specializing in different disciplines are paired together each evening to discuss their artistic inspirations and creative processes, offering guests an opportunity to engage in passionate discussions and gain new perspectives and philosophies on art.
This evening’s event explores ceramics and painting – we hope to see you there!

AMFA Art Salon is supported in part by the Alice L. Walton Foundation and the Windgate Foundation.
Rivera’s Paris is supported in part by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation with additional support from the Robert Lehman Foundation.
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.

Drop-in Figure Drawing (CANCELED)
2025-02-19 18:00 - 21:00

Drop-in Printmaking (CANCELED)
2025-02-19 18:00 - 21:00
