ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — According to a press release, the theme for Downtown Rogers Art at Bricks Art Walk is “Fashion, Steampunk and Cosplay.”
Anime and cosplay performances were popular in 2021, so the organizers will showcase artists and fashion designers during the event that includes interactive, visual and performance art. Temporary and gallery exhibits are scheduled throughout downtown Rogers from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, in addition to live music performances that last into the night.
There will be photo opportunities with Cricket the Dinosaur, a 7′ tall and 10′ long Muppet-like character. Miss Cricket is visiting Brick Lane Books from the Mesozoic era, passing through White Hall, just south of Little Rock, Arkansas.
It was created to the specifications of owner David Bowerman by some of the artists who created a series of props for the movie “Jurassic Park.” Miss Cricket will be on Brick Lane at 113 S. 2North Dakota Street and a hands-on architectural dig, provided by the Scott Family Amazeum, will be across the street near the Arkansas Public Theater.
The public is invited to join in the free family fun on Thursday, April 14, from 4:30-7:30 p.m. students from the Arkansas Academy of the Arts. Art will also be available for purchase and music and dance performances will be scheduled.
ART WALK HIGHLIGHTS
- Brick Lane – Books, Gifts and More presents the momentous special guest in 113 S 2North Dakota Street. Miss Cricket, a cute dinosaur muppet, will enhance the cosplay experience and pose for selfies.
- Scott Family Amazeum is hosting a hands-on learning experience with a mini archeology dig. Art Walk patrons are invited to bring the kids and let them get their hands a little dirty as they use spoons, funnels and strainers to discover artifacts in sand-filled art trays.
- Continuing the prehistoric theme, Altered Alley, a blockchain-based geolocated augmented reality art, will host a pop-up gallery in Railyard Park. A wide variety of art will be on display including: non-fungible tokens (NFTs), 3D models, live performances, games, and retail. Altered Alley brought a pony-sized dinosaur to visit his friends at the Arkansas Public Theater last week, but a much larger beast was spotted in Railyard Park this weekend and captured on Tik Tok.
- The Ozark Ballet Theater performs at Railyard Park at 6:00 pm and 6:30 pm at Turntable Plaza in Railyard Park. Twelve professional guest artists from the region and senior ballet school students will perform short excerpts from their upcoming professional production of Stravinsky’s The Firebird.
- Brick & Mortar presents a performance by dance students from the Arkansas Academy of the Arts, under the direction of dance teacher Amy Kessler-Weber. The performance explores the many possible shapes and meanings of clouds. Contributing to its choreography, students in Anne Wenzel’s Elsewhere Department have written aphoristic poems in the style of Mark Strand’s 89 Clouds, which have been superimposed and composed into a “cloud reflection”. Kendall Hunnicutt adds a solo vocal piece and Andi Renick an original poem to this collaboration, including students from grades 7-11.
- The Rogers Experimental House at 121 W. Walnut Street houses students from the Arkansas Academy of the Arts, under the direction of Emily Konomi. The classroom project display includes clothing and puppet construction and doll-sized miniature mannequin forms. Ozark Talent Bank interns will show off their best Vogue poses with mannequin models and a live fashion shoot at Rogers Experimental House, (RXH) 121 W. Walnut. Also on display at the RXH is the 8th grade portfolio exhibit by art students from Greer Lingle High School under the direction of Joel Martin.
- Professional cosplayer Wyatt Beck will don one of his costumes and be available to take photos or answer questions about his passion for this form of performing art. The colorful Bentonville resident has been impersonating the Joker since 2013 and has developed his own interpretation of Batman’s nemesis based on different incarnations. Hopefully, Batman will respond to the bat signal to keep everyone safe from his devious plans.
- Into+View Gallery and Studios has transformed its gallery at 300 N. 2nd Street into a California beach-like setting with the incredibly colorful art of Kansas City artist Jill Stewart. Join them for an artists’ reception.
- Mavis Wine Co. presents live music from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at its wine shop and tasting room at 718 N. 2nd Street.
- ANA Gallery at 121 W. Walnut Street is celebrating its first anniversary with an art exhibit, artist reception, drawings for artwork, and live music.
- The Arkansas Department of Health will provide a COVID-19 vaccine station that will offer the Pfizer vaccine to those 12 and older and the second Pfizer booster dose to those 50 and older.
Additional participating galleries and pop-up locations are participating throughout downtown Rogers and can be found at artonthebricks.com.