The annual Conway ArtsFest, hosted by the Conway Alliance for the Arts, aimed to bring the community together by participating in various art forms.
The co-chair for this year’s ArtsFest, Nakeya Palmer, said this was the sixteenth ArtsFest to be hosted in Conway.
“It’s about setting up an event so people can have an opportunity to experience the arts, learn about the arts [and] learn about ways they can support the arts here in Conway,” Palmer said.
The event was held at Fifth Avenue Park on Oct. 1 and featured performances from students of various schools.
Select choirs of third- and fourth-grade students from Ida Burns, Woodrow Cummins, Preston and Florence Mattison, and Marguerite Vann started off the event with a small concert. They were directed by elementary music specialists Allison Summey, Jordan Sorrells, Brandon Sorrells and Bart Dooley.
“We’re kind of like the kickoff of the day. It really helps to bring families out,” Dooley said.
The select choir sang the national anthem, followed by a performance of “It’s a Wonderful World” that featured sign language.
A choir of third- and fourth-grade students from Ida Burns, Woodrow Cummins and others sing to start of the Conway ArtsFest. The choir sang the National Anthem.
Autumn Riley, a parent within the community, enjoyed watching her daughter perform in the select choir.
“It’s good seeing all the children just being kids,” Riley said.
Alongside the performing arts, the event was made up of several hands-on activities for the children. Tables were set up with paints, paper, and other utensils.
Third-grade student Layla Riley participated in the different art activities.
“[I enjoyed] drawing, and the paint thing. I painted a flower for my mom,” Riley said.
The event also featured performances from Conway Public Schools Orchestra chamber ensemble and Funk Fusion Dance Company. The Red Curtain Theatre performed highlights from “James and the Giant Peach” and the Conway Symphony Orchestra hosted an instrument petting zoo. The Light Switch Company and Stage Door Dance Arts also hosted activities.
Palmer said that ArtsFest heavily relies on its partnerships within the community.
“The only reason we have been able to make it 16 years is through our partnerships,” Palmer said. “So, we do like to call on the schools for their arts programs, but we also like to call on different community members. We like to bring anyone in the community.”
One of the goals of ArtsFest is to aid the growing art scene in Conway.
“The arts scene here in Conway has developed so much over the last few years, at least since I’ve been here,” Palmer said. “I think there is definitely a niche for artists here in Conway, and I think ArtsFest is a way for people to recognize the value of arts in Conway.”
Dooley said the fest gives the community a feel for the various types of art happening around them.
“It encompasses all the arts. Not just visual arts, but also musical arts, and there are some performance arts,” Dooley said.
The event is completely volunteer-run and was sponsored by Arkansas Community Foundation, Children’s Clinic, Conway Kiwanis and First Security Bank.