Art Start
2026-02-11 10:30 - 11:30 (America/Chicago)
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. Crocodile? 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

Drop-in Figure Drawing
2026-02-11 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-18 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-25 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
2026-02-11 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.

Drop-in Metalsmithing
2026-02-11 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-18 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-25 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.

Art Insights: Unnatural Habitats
2026-02-12 18:00 - 19:00
Experience an evening that bridges art, ecology, and wildlife.
Artist Lori Larusso kicks off the evening with a presentation on her exhibition, A Paradox of Plenty, where her paintings reflect on urban expansion, consumer culture, and how animals adapt to these ecosystems.
In conversation with Dr. Laura Bernstein-Kurtycz from the Little Rock Zoo and Leslie Cooper from Quail Forever, Larusso reveals how her scenes of playful juxtapositions reframe how we see modern life and cohabitation with animals.
Before the conversation begins, stop by the Atrium from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. for a special meet-and-great with the Little Rock Zoo’s animal ambassadors. After the event concludes, enjoy a meet-and-greet with Larusso at the AMFA Museum Store and pick up a signed copy of her exhibition catalog.

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 catalog for Lori Larusso: A Paradox of Plenty is supported in part by the Great Meadows Foundation.

Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Art for Two: Heart Pendants (SOLD OUT)
2026-02-13 18:00 - 21:00
Create a vibrant and colorful Valentine-inspired glass heart pendant 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 glass sculpting and work with a variety of colorful glass rods, using the torch to melt and manipulate the material.
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: Ceramic Wall Sconces (SOLD OUT)
2026-02-13 18:00 - 21:00
Create a set of decorative candle sconces from soft clay that can hang on your wall.
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.
Artwork by Jenn Perren.

Creative Saturdays
2026-02-14 10:00 - 13:00
Decorate festive masks with a Valentine’s Day twist, using vibrant reds, pinks, and glittering embellishments to make a one-of-a-kind Carnival-inspired creation to celebrate SoMardi Gras.
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.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Gallery Tour
2026-02-14 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 For Two: Pottery on the Wheel (SOLD OUT)
2026-02-14 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-20 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.

Art for Two: Kiln-Fired Charms (SOLD OUT)
2026-02-14 14:00 - 17:00
Learn the basics of metal enameling and create a decorative, colorful charm to commemorate Valentine’s Day with your special someone. Work with an expert artist to prepare the metal and enamel powder for a red-hot kiln firing – this is an exciting art-making process to experience!
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 Myriam Saavedra.

Digital Animation Workshop
2026-02-14 14:00 - 17:00
Learn the basics of digital animation on an iPad tablet and work with a simple, affordable digital application: Procreate. Learn from an experienced artist how to digitally illustrate a winter scene using digital brushes, layers, and masks to transform multiple elements into animations with the application tools.
An overview of adjusting frame rates, onion skins, and playback modes will be demonstrated. Participants will export their created animation as a GIF at the end of the workshop.
Digital drawing experience is recommended for this 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 Rachel Cobler.

Drop-in Expressive Painting with Music
2026-02-15 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-02-22 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
2026-02-18 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-02-25 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 A Dress with Pockets by Lily Murray, a whimsical story about finding the perfect outfit. Then create a fabric collage inspired by the AMFA 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

A Month of Sundays Preview Night
2026-02-18 17:00 - 20:00
Celebrate the opening of AMFA’s new exhibition, A Month of Sundays: Art and the Persistence of Time, at this Member-exclusive event.
This exhibition explores the concept of time through modern and contemporary works of art in a wide range of media, demonstrating and expanding upon the ways we mark and experience time in our lives and in the environment. For one unforgettable evening, AMFA Members are invited to slow down, explore the exhibition, and savor classic Southern snacks and drinks.
Secure your free tickets now to see the exhibition before it opens to the public!
Not an AMFA Member? Join today to access tickets for this event, or call 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.

Member Preview: In-Kind support provided by Moon Distributors Inc. and O’Connor Distributing.
ARTWORK: Bruce Comer (Fresno, California, 1919 – 1988, Fresno, California), About-a-Quarter-to-Six (detail), 1951, oil on canvas, 15 1/4 x 19 1/4 in., On loan from the collection of the Mississippi Museum of Art, Jackson: Mississippi Art Association Purchase Prize.

Concert Series: Lost Bayou Ramblers
2026-02-19 19:30 - 21:00
The two-time Grammy award winning Lost Bayou Ramblers’ evolution as a progressive Louisiana French band rooted in Cajun traditions continues to excite, challenge, and redefine both genre expectations as well as cultural preconceptions.
Founded in 1999 by brothers Andre and Louis Michot, the years have brought LBR a feature on Jack White’s American Epic, contributions to the Oscar nominated film Beasts of the Southern Wild, and Grammy wins for Live: Orpheum Theater NOLA (their 2023 album with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra) and their 2017 studio album Kalenda.
Lost Bayou Ramblers stands at the crosscurrents of Louisiana culture by inhabiting the gray area between Cajun and Creole, convention and innovation, mystery and a revelation, experimenting and growing the show to what it’s become today: an eclectic mix of modern sounds and rhythms with ancient Cajun melodies and lyrics.

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 Zach Smith.

Family Fest: A Month of Sundays
2026-02-21 10:00 - 13:00
Find joy in every moment with a day of creativity and connection at this free family festival where guests of all ages can make, move, and celebrate together.
Inspired by AMFA’s new exhibition, A Month of Sundays: Art and the Persistence of Time, this event invites families to slow down and gather for a day of creative exploration.
Dive into these interactive activities:

Do: yoga in the Flex Studio, meditation in the Governor Winthrop Rockefeller Lecture Hall, drawing challenges in the Cultural Living Room, and community weaving in the Atrium
Make: sketchbooks in the Drawing Studio, breathing beads in the Metals Studio, and memory boxes in the Ceramics Studio
Watch: printmaking demonstrations and musical performances in the Atrium

AMFA Members enjoy access to an exclusive lounge with snacks and drinks in the Terri and Chuck Erwin Collections Research Center.

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.

Exhibition Tour: A Month of Sundays
2026-02-21 10:30 - 11:30
Take a docent-led tour of AMFA’s new exhibition, A Month of Sundays: Art and the Persistence of Time, which explores the concept of time through modern and contemporary works of art.
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 the exhibition’s themes.

Exhibition Tours are supported in part by Fleur S. Bresler.
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: Mimi Smith (Brookline, Massachusetts, 1942 – ), December 14, 1978, The Eleven O’Clock News (detail), 1979, colored pencil and ink on black rag paper, 30 x 40 in., Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation Collection: Purchase, Collectors Group Fund. Photography by Jason Masters.

AMFA Board of Trustees Meeting
2026-02-25 12:00 - 13:00
Meeting Agenda

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

Introduction of Guests
Approval of Minutes from December 17, 2025 Meeting
AMFA Restructured: Meet the C-Suite Team

Finance Committee Report – Gary Cooper, Chair, and Laine Harber, AMFA CFO

Review FY2026 Budget

FAC Committee Report – Betsy Rhodes and Mary Olive Stephens, Co-Chairs

Director’s Report – Dr. Victoria Ramirez, AMFA CEO

AAM Accreditation: Strategic plan, bylaws, site visit (November/December)
Presentation: Rotation of the Permanent Collection Galleries

President’s Report – Le’Kita Brown

Board Transformation Update – Governance Committee approved
Taking Recommendations for New Board Members

Upcoming Meetings

Tuesday, March 10, 10:00 a.m.: Strategic Plan Special Committee Meeting
Tuesday, March 17, 10:00 a.m.: AMFA Board Bylaws Special Committee Meeting
Thursday, April 30: Board of Trustees Meeting, 3:00–5:00 p.m., Reception 5:00-6:00 p.m.

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

Artist & Vendor Open Call
2026-02-25 13:00 - 18:00
Are you a local artist, artisan, or maker? Stop by to learn what it takes to have your work for sale in the AMFA Museum Store!
Bring samples of your work, information about your price points, and be ready to share more details about yourself and your products. The store management team will be available to answer your questions, and you can enter to win an AMFA swag bag.
Image courtesy of Jason Masters.

Art Insights: Aging Well
2026-02-26 18:00 - 19:00
Re-imagine what it means to age well in this inspiring conversation that considers how movement, art, and mindfulness can strengthen the body, renew focus, and nurture social connection.
Presented in connection with AMFA’s exhibition A Month of Sundays: Art and the Persistence of Time, this event highlights the expertise of four speakers – Dr. Catherine Crisp, Garbo Hearne, Rebecca Schrock, and Sarah Thomas – who will share insights on how creative activities can sustain vitality and joy throughout the aging process.
Drawing on the exhibition’s themes of time, aging, and reflection, explore how creativity and mindfulness can support not only longevity, but a fuller life at every age.

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.

Watercolor Botanicals Workshop (SOLD OUT)
2026-02-27 09:00 - 12:00
Use watercolors to create detailed botanical studies and expressive works inspired by the beauty of plants and nature.
You will learn how to mix and build colors to capture the subtle nuances of your botanical subject. Explore a range of techniques that allow you to express the essence of plants in your own unique style.

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 Emily Wood.

Art For Two: Clay Cup Companions (SOLD OUT)
2026-02-27 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, 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.
Artwork by Jenn Perren.
