OLLI
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Arkansas has announced the following classes:
April 28: Innovative Approaches to Supporting Individuals Experiencing Homelessness in Northwest Arkansas — This course will equip you with valuable insights into the evolving landscape of homelessness services in Northwest Arkansas. 10 a.m.-noon. OLLI office. Members $19, non-members $34.
April 29: Self Defense Class — Learn practical and effective self-defense techniques designed for real life situations. 2:30-3:30 p.m. Fayetteville Krav Maga. Members $25, non-members $40.
April 30, May 7: Following the Money: Financing the November 2024 Federal Campaigns — This two part course breaks down the history of campaign spending and takes a look at the funding of the 2024 elections. 10 a.m.-noon. OLLI office. Members $25, non-members $40.
May 1: A Day at the Philbrook Museum of Arts. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Philbrook Museum, Tulsa. Members drive self $39, nonmember drive self $54; $69 member ride OLLI van $69, nonmember ride OLLI van $84.
May 1: Transforming Communities: The Economic Role of Universities: Vice Chancellor for Economic Development, Mike Malone. 10 a.m.-noon. OLLI office. Members $25, non-members $40.
Information: olli.uark.edu/participate or (479) 575-4545.
NEIGHBORLY FOOD CO.
Neighborly Food Co., based in Cave Springs, is holding a special Buy 1 Give 1 campaign in partnership with Ozark Natural Foods Co-Op this April in honor of Earth Month. For every Neighborly product purchased at Ozark Natural Foods during April, Neighborly will donate a product to the Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry at the University of Arkansas to help those on campus who are affected by food insecurity.
Neighborly meals are plant based, clean label, allergen free, gluten free, dairy free and produced in Northwest Arkansas. All rice in Neighborly products comes from Arkansas rice farmers, and 100% of profits from Neighborly are donated to organizations that serve people affected by food insecurity.
The Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry was established in 2011 by the Volunteer Action Center. They serve students, faculty, staff and their families at the University of Arkansas with well-balanced meals, including non-perishables, fresh items from community partners and produce from their garden. With nearly 6,000 visits annually, they distribute over 2,500 meals per month to those in need. Full Circle distributed 30,000 items during the Fall 2024 semester.
Ozark Natural Foods is a locally owned consumer cooperative in Fayetteville dedicated to healthful living and sustainability by providing owners and the Northwest Arkansas community with natural and organic products and related services. They provide support through community engagement to many organizations and activities in Northwest Arkansas.
The Buy 1 Give 1 campaign runs through April 30 at Ozark Natural Foods, located at 340 N. College Ave. in Fayetteville. To learn more about Neighborly Food Co. visit neighborlyfoodco.com.
BENTON COUNTRY MASTER GARDENERS
The Benton Country Master Gardeners will hold their 2025 plant sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 2 and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 3 at the garden behind Helping Hands Thrift Store at 2602 S.W. D Street in Bentonville.
Native plants like coneflowers and milkweed will be available as well as shrubs, trees, vegetables and house plants. The Master Gardeners who started the plants will be available to answer questions.
The Garden Expo will also feature speakers and a section with gently used gardening tools and décor for sale.
Master Gardeners are volunteers trained in horticulture who share their training by participating in community projects including a vegetable garden that benefits the Helping Hands Food Pantry and flower gardens at several public buildings. For more information visit home.bentoncountygardening.org.
THE MEDIUM
Applications for the 2025–2026 Creative Exchange Fund (CXF) opened April 17, 2025. Now in its third year, CXF supports artists, creatives and cultural organizers with funding and free space to take creative risks. The program offers five opportunities for performances, community events, residencies and exhibitions at The Medium.
CXF is open to artists, creatives and cultural organizers interested in producing performances, exhibitions, music or community events at The Medium. Most opportunities are geared toward those living or working in Northwest Arkansas, though some are open to applicants outside the state. Each fund has its own eligibility and focus, so applicants should review the details to find the best fit for their work.
Awards range from $1,500 to $15,000 and total more than $147,000, which will be distributed across 37 unique projects and are open to individuals and organizations. Projects will take place at The Medium between August 2025 and October 2026. Applications close at 5 p.m. May 5, 2025. Visit themedium.art/cxf to access the application and learn more about the program.
EXHIBIT AT FAYETTEVILLE CITY HALL
The City of Fayetteville invites artists with ties to Arkansas to submit artwork for the inaugural Arkansas Art for City Hall exhibition, a curated showcase of regional talent in a public gallery on the second floor of Fayetteville City Hall, located at 113 W. Mountain St.
Deadline for applications is 11:59 CDT May 16. The exhibition will be held from June 27 to May 29, 2026. Artists selected for the exhibition will each receive a $250 honorarium.
The year-long exhibition will highlight the creativity and diversity of artists connected to Arkansas. All styles, media and subject matter are welcome. This is not a themed exhibition –submissions will be considered for their artistic quality, originality and suitability for public display. Artwork will be selected by a committee comprised of Fayetteville Arts Council members, city staff and local arts and culture leaders.
Artists must currently reside in Arkansas, have been born in Arkansas or have cultural ties to Arkansas or its Indigenous nations To receive the honorarium, selected artists must be able to complete a federal W-9 to be a vendor in the city system.
Selected artists must deliver and drop off or ship their artwork (the city may arrange return shipping arrangements on a case-by-case basis) to 100 W. Rock St., Suite 250, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Artwork(s) may not exceed 60 inches in height or width, or six inches in depth. Time-based media submissions may not exceed 10 minutes. Artwork(s) must be able to hang on a wall and should be ready-to-hang upon receipt with installation hardware installed (e.g., D-rings, frame wire, sawtooth picture hangers, French cleat, etc.). If no installation hardware is identified upon receipt of the artwork(s), we reserve the right to exclude it from the final installation.
All works on paper, such as prints, drawings and photographs, must be framed.
Selection criteria will be based on suitability for public presentation in a civic setting, artistic excellence and mastery of medium, and originality and strength of concept.
To submit an application, go to airtable.com/apptX5yKGGSzYUa3n/pagMOtrUAIvbcOnb2/form. Artists may submit up to three separate works, with up to three images per work (maximum of nine images total). Artists will need to upload their images (JPG or PNG, max 2MB, minimum 1500px on the shortest edge). Be sure to follow the required naming conventions.
Video submissions are welcome (under 10 minutes), submitted via link to a video hosting platform (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo).
For more information contact Carlyn Wilder, artist liaison, at [email protected] or (479) 966-9782 or Joanna Bell, arts and culture director at [email protected] or (479) 718-7605.
APPLE SEEDS, INC.
Apple Seeds, Inc., has been awarded a Community Impact Grant from The Campbell’s Company and The Campbell’s Foundation, receiving $20,000 to support its mission to inspire healthy living through farm-based education. Funding from the grant will support the expansion of their program into additional schools, as well as supporting farm field trips and in-school cooking classes for K-5 students.
The grants are part of a $920,000 investment in 46 nonprofit organizations across North America, all nominated by Campbell’s employees in the communities where they live and work. These grants bring The Campbell’s Foundation total fiscal 2025 grantmaking to more than $2.6 million.
BIKES BLUES & BBQ
Bikes Blues & BBQ Executive Director Tommy Sizemore and Board President Justin Tennant recently presented $7,500 checks to representatives of three nonprofit organizations– Boys & Girls Club of Benton County, the Children & Family Advocacy Center and Open Avenues.
The donations came from the proceed of the 2024 Bikes, Blues & BBQ rally, which brought in more than $35,000 in charitable contributions to benefit Northwest Arkansas organizations, according to the organization.
SHILOH MUSEUM OF OZARK HISTORY
Tina Pfister, Shiloh Museum of Ozark History project manager, has been named the 2025 Distinguished Museum Professional of the Year by the Arkansas Museums Association.
This award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional professionalism, teamwork, creativity and vision. Pfister is often the first person to welcome visitors to Shiloh, ensuring that they have a positive experience. She also manages the Ozark Bookshelf museum store, handles building rentals, coordinates schedules and much more.
“Tina’s commitment to our mission and to visitor experience is unflagging. She handles so many different kinds of tasks and does them all with grace and professionalism. Her first thought is always about how best to serve the public. She is truly deserving of this award,” says Angie Albright, museum director.
She received the award at the association’s annual conference in April at Historic Washington State Park (Hempstead County).
The Arkansas Museum Association was established in 1966 with the mission of advancing professional standards within Arkansas museums, fostering collaboration among museum professionals and cultivating public advocacy for and engagement with museums in the state. It has more than 250 members.
Credit: Source link
