A group of Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts students assisted in painting a mural at the Northwoods Trail System in Hot Springs.
ASMSA seniors Lillian Hickman of Omaha, Madison Mainer of Ozark, Takoya Marks of Prescott and Miranda Merideth of Wynne as well as art instructor Brad Wreyford helped paint a mural on a City of Hot Springs pumphouse facility along the trail. The mural was officially unveiled on Nov. 13 during the second annual Güdrun Mountain Bike Festival at the Northwoods trails.
The mural is one of 12 being created statewide under the ARKanvas Initiative of OZ Art. ARKanvas is a partnership of OZ Art, The Unexpected and JustKids. In addition to Hot Springs, the initiative is creating public artworks in Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, Fort Smith, Conway, Little Rock, Pine Bluff and Stuttgart.
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Internationally known artist Camille Walala designed the Northwoods mural. Walala is a multidisciplinary artist working across the fields of art, architecture, textile art and graphic design, and is a perpetual purveyor of positivity, expressed through vibrant color and bold patterns.
The Northwoods Trail System mural was painted by a team of artists following her design. The artists were in constant communication with Walala via FaceTime and other means as they applied the paint, according to a City of Hot Springs press release.
Wreyford said Mary Zunick, cultural affairs manager for Visit Hot Springs and one of the driving forces behind the just-concluded Arts & The Park Festival, told him about the project. The students did about an hour and a half of work on the project. It was a great opportunity for the students to participate in a community project, Wreyford said.
“The students really enjoyed the experience. It was simple and straightforward involvement and engagement in the community, which is important,” he said.
The four students who participated are each participating in the Fine Art and Design capstone program at ASMSA. The program consists of two sequential semesters of visual art, emphasizing the development and pursuit of a student’s individual studio experience. The first semester introduces students to the structure and discipline required to develop a self-directed body of work through a progression of techniques and concepts. Students build an individual portfolio for exhibition and competition during the second semester.
Fields of research include painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, 2D design, 3D design, digital design, digital fabrication, architecture, functional design/furniture/ graphic design, photography and documentary film. The capstone culminates with an exhibition where each student presents their portfolio in a gallery setting. Their work is judged by industry professionals, according to the quality of work and the ability to articulate the intent/concept of their work.
The theme of the ARKanvas Initiative is Unite, a tribute to being united through shared outdoor and art experiences across Arkansas. A virtual experience will be launched at www.ARKanvas.com and @OAArtNWA on Instagram and will feature videos of the art, artists and communities.