AMFA Board of Trustees Meeting
2026-04-30 15:30 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Meeting Agenda

Call to Order and Welcome – Le’Kita Brown, Board of Trustees President

Approval of Minutes from February 25, 2026 Meeting

Finance Committee Report – Gary Cooper, Chair, and Laine Harber, AMFA CFO
Director’s Report – Dr. Victoria Ramirez, AMFA CEO
President’s Report – Le’Kita Brown

Announcements

For media and other inquiries, please contact director@arkmfa.org.

Art for Two: Clay Cup Companions (SOLD OUT)
2026-05-01 18:00 - 21:00
Make a pair of cups that fit snuggly together and brighten up any table space or countertop! You will learn how to decorate your cups by stamping or carving designs into soft clay.
Art For Two is the perfect one-night class experience for two where you each take home a finished piece. Class materials 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 three 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.
Artwork by Jenn Perren.

Creative Saturdays
2026-05-02 10:00 - 13:00
Create a pocket-sized diorama inside a small container inspired by AMFA’s exhibition A Month of Sundays: Art and the Persistence of Time. Guests can design their own miniature world and add details to tell a story, making a unique piece fit for display.
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 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. This exhibition was 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: Seasons of Life
2026-05-02 10:30 - 11:30
Take a docent-led tour of AMFA’s new exhibition Will Barnet: Seasons of Life, an extensive selection of works on paper by American artist Will Barnet.
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 Barnet’s work.

Exhibition Tours are supported in part by Fleur S. Bresler.
Will Barnet: Seasons of Life is supported in part by Jackye and Curtis Finch, Jr.
This exhibition is organized by the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
ARTWORK: Wil Barnet (Beverly, Massachusetts, 1911 – 2012, New York, New York), Silent Seasons, Autumn (detail), 1969, lithograph on paper, 29 3/4 x 22 in., Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation Collection: Purchase, Tabriz Fund and Museum Purchase Plan of the NEA. 1971.009.011.1.

Portrait Drawing Workshop
2026-05-02 14:00 - 17:00
Explore artwork featured in AMFA’s exhibition A Month of Sundays: Art and the Persistence of Time and create a portrait drawing in pastel. Explore facial anatomy, model positioning, and color to create an expressive portrait drawing.
Whether you are a beginner or refining your skills, receive expert instruction and practical guidance to capture a moment in time.

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

Artwork by Zina Al Shukri.

Member Sunday Fun Day
2026-05-03 12:00 - 17:00
Members: treat yourself to a slow Sunday of artful play and thoughtful experiences in the Cultural Living Room. Inspired by AMFA’s exhibition A Month of Sundays: Art and the Persistence of Time, this event is designed for creativity and connection.
Try your hand at unhurried, adult-oriented art-making activities, indulge your sweet tooth with a build-your-own ice cream sundae bar, and relax to live music that sets an easy Sunday pace. Coffee, beer, and wine are also available for purchase. Docents are giving guided tours of A Month of Sundays from 1:00–2:00 p.m.
While you are here, do not forget to venture downstairs to enjoy double discounts at the Museum Store and Park Grill. This is the perfect way to play, reflect, and savor the last day before your work week begins!
Not an AMFA Member? Join today for access to this and other exclusive events. Call the membership team at 501.396.0322 for more information.

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

Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Drop-in Expressive Painting with Music
2026-05-03 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-10 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-17 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.

Meditative Sundays
2026-05-03 14:00 - 15:00
Explore meditation, reflection, and creative awareness in honor of AMFA’s exhibition A Month of Sundays: Art and the Persistence of Time, where art becomes a guide for slowing down, calming the mind, and reconnecting to the present.
Led in collaboration with specialists from the UAMS Mindfulness Program, Meditative Sundays offers a guided experience, from meditation and slow looking to sound baths and yoga. As the series unfolds, deepen focus, release stress, and build support well-being and connection through art.
In this session, move with gentle awareness through slow, intentional motion inspired by art. Drawing from practices such as Qigong and gentle yoga, this session reconnects the body and mind.

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

Photo by Sara Reeves.

Architecture and Design Network Lecture Series: Herron Horton Architects
2026-05-05 17:30 - 19:00
The mission of the Architecture and Design Network (ADN) is to educate the public about architecture, design, and related disciplines and the ways in which their practice shapes communities and affects people’s lives.
This lecture features Jennifer Herron and Jeff Horton of Herron Horton Architects, based in Little Rock, Arkansas. Their award-winning portfolio spans residential and commercial architecture, earning national recognition for their distinctive modern aesthetic that seamlessly blends functionality with artistic vision.
Go inside a semester-long creative collaboration where fine art, interior design, and spatial thinking converged. During their spring residency at the University of Central Arkansas, Herron and Horton led coursework, mentored students in a studio setting, and worked alongside emerging designers as ideas moved from concept to installation.
This event extends that experience through a panel-style conversation examining the intersection of architecture and fine art, the ways those disciplines informed the residency, and the creative and educational impact the process had on the students involved.
Before the lecture, enjoy a short reception from 5:30-6:00 p.m. in the Atrium. The lecture begins at 6:00 p.m. in the Amerine/Calhoun Glass Box.

Art Start
2026-05-06 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 art-making 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 My Friend Earth by Patricia MacLachlan, a story celebrating our planet and the ways we can care for it. Then, create an earth collage inspired by the AMFA exhibition Lori Larusso: A Paradox of Plenty.

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.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters

Drop-in Figure Drawing
2026-05-06 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-13 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 Metalsmithing
2026-05-06 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-13 18:00 - 21:00
Drop into the Metals Studio for a three-hour session to work on your class projects or individually driven artworks.
One of our expert metals artists will be monitoring the studio to offer advice and direction towards completing your artwork. Each three-hour session provides an opportunity to develop and refine your skills in an independently focused work environment.
This session is intended for students who are currently enrolled in a metals class or have taken an 8-week metals course at the Windgate Art School. Supplies are not included. Students must bring their own materials or purchase materials from the AMFA Museum Store.

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.

Drop-in Printmaking
2026-05-06 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-13 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.

Art Insights: Deep Time
2026-05-07 18:00 - 19:00
Slow down and reflect on how art reshapes our sense of time as AMFA Curator Dr. Jennifer Jankauskas leads a thought-provoking panel discussion on the AMFA exhibition A Month of Sundays: Art and the Persistence of Time.
Panelists Dr. Paige Ford, Dr. René A. Shroat-Lewis, Susan Sims Smith, and Jennifer Wiseman will explore how artists and thinkers – from anthropologists to astronomers – reveal the diverse ways we perceive and imagine time.
Together, they invite us to look beyond the rush of daily life to consider how creativity across disciplines can expand our perspective of moments, memories, and generations.

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

Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Fridays on the Lawn
2026-05-08 17:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-15 17:00 - 20:00
Kick off your weekend with sunshine, lawn games, cold drinks, and endless fun for everyone.
Get competitive over games like baggo or bocce ball, sketch your surroundings at a drawing easel, and pick up a refreshing snow cone. As a special surprise for our youngest adventurers, AMFA’s pink puppet dog Flurffy is stopping by to play ahead of his tenth birthday!
For an extra special experience, make a reservation at Park Grill to enjoy dinner and drinks outdoors with a beautiful view.
Coolers, outside food or drinks, and large bags are not permitted. Pets, blankets, and lawn chairs are welcome.

Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Art for Two: Paper Marbling (SOLD OUT)
2026-05-08 18:00 - 21:00
Create colorful artwork through the process of marbling paper. Mix, swirl, and layer colors over water to imitate a stone-like surface. Every paper marble design will be slightly different as it is transferred onto paper. This workshop provides a simple, enjoyable, and immersive experience into the world of marbling!
Art For Two is the perfect one-night class experience for two where you each take home a finished piece. Class materials are included, no skills are 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 David Warren.

Art For Two: Pottery on the Wheel (SOLD OUT)
2026-05-08 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 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
2026-05-09 10:00 - 13:00
Make sun prints outside using natural materials as stencils inspired by the art on view in AMFA’s exhibition A Month of Sundays: Art and the Persistence of Time. Experiment with light, shadow, and composition to create one-of-a-kind prints.
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 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. This exhibition was 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.

Gallery Tour
2026-05-09 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.

Art Start
2026-05-13 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 art-making 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 Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton, a story about teamwork and the clever ways birds navigate their world. Then, create a collage bird nest inspired by Natalie Miebach: Under A Restless Sky.

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.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters

Out of the Vault: Lunch and Learn
2026-05-13 12:00 - 13:00
Explore works from the AMFA vaults with a curator!
Circle Society Donors are invited to enjoy a Park Grill lunch and learn from Dr. Catherine Walworth, AMFA’s Jackye and Curtis Finch, Jr., Curator of Drawings, as she presents a selection of modernist works on paper from the permanent collection – including new acquisitions, personal favorites, and a bit of history.
Following lunch, guests will transition to the Terri and Chuck Erwin Collections Research Center to view the works up close.
Not in Circle Society? Join today for access to this event.

ARTWORK: Sonia Delaunay (Hradyz’k, Ukraine, 1885 – 1979, Paris, France), Composition – Tapestry Design (Composition – Projet de tapisserie) (detail), 1940 – 1942, watercolor on paper, 20 x 13 3/4 in., Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation Collection: Purchase. 2025.012. Photography by Jason Masters.

Art for Two: Portrait Mugs (SOLD OUT)
2026-05-15 18:00 - 21:00
Learn basic ceramic hand building techniques and other skills to sculpt clay into a handheld mug. Have fun adding your own style and personality by sculpting a unique face onto your mug.
Art For Two is the perfect one-night class experience for two where you each take home a finished piece. Class materials 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 Jenn Perren.

Creative Saturdays
2026-05-16 10:00 - 13:00
Create a colorful tin relief by embossing sheets of tin with a stylus. Inspired by the geometric patterns and textured surfaces in AMFA’s exhibition A Month of Sundays: Art and the Persistence of Time, this hands-on project invites guests to explore repetition, design, and the passage of time.
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 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. This exhibition was 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.

Spotlight Tour: America 250
2026-05-16 10:30 - 11:30
Take a docent-led tour to discover the diverse contributions of American artists throughout the AMFA galleries.
Enjoy a guided look at several carefully selected works on view, gain a richer connection to our nation’s art history, and leave with a new understanding of the AMFA Foundation Collection.

Gallery Tours are supported in part by Fleur S. Bresler.
The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts extends its gratitude to The Brown Foundation, Inc. of Houston, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable and Educational Trust for grant awards supporting stewardship and conservation of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation Collection.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters.
