Rogers-Lowell Area News

Rogers Experimental House Partners with Arkansas Arts Academy to Create Mural in Downtown Rogers

The Rogers Experimental House (RXH) has partnered with a disparate group of partners to implement a new community mural project in Downtown Rogers. The non-profit organization is partnering with Arkansas Arts Academy (AAA), and several other organizations, to design and install a mural on the side of the old Ritter Building located at 122 N. 1st St. Students will be painting the mural September 13 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. in conjunction with Downtown Rogers Art on the Bricks Art Walk as well as September 14 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. in conjunction with The Good Life Experience kick-off dinner. Organizers expect to continue working on the mural September 15 and hopefully finishing it on Saturday afternoon during The Good Life Experience Marketplace which runs from noon – 4:00 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to the mural installation.

As a board member for the RXH and vice president for downtown development for the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, Karen Wagaman saw opportunity to connect the business community to high school students through the Rogers Experimental House via a pop-up mural project. The Chamber of Commerce’s new lifestyle event, The Good Life Experience, seemed like a natural fit. Wagaman began discussions with various contacts in mid-August with less than 30 days to pull the project together, but everyone was enthusiastic and worked together to participate.

The logo for The Good Life Experience is painted on the West end of 122 S. 1st St. building. The East end of the 80’ canvas includes a bold blue and white design created by Rogers Artist, R. J. Lawlor and inspired by Ron Hudnall and Garrett Surly at Resource Design. The image was applied using DIY chalk board paint and this 32-foot span will be available for children and families to add chalk art during The Good Life Experience marketplace. Arkansas Arts Academy Painting II students will work over the next three days to fill the center of the wall with imagery that is inspired by art, food and outdoors in NWA.

The rough sketch for the mural includes: images of canoeing in NWA Rivers; food; an “eat local” banner trailing behind an airplane; mountain biking; camping; Ozark mountain scenery; and, of course, wildlife in the form of a bear peeking out of the woods and a creature that appears to be big foot or some other Sasquatch creature eating a hamburger (paying homage to sports and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Baseball Team.)

Partnering with the Rogers Experimental House are:
Arkansas Arts Academy (painting 2 students of instructor Kerrey Klatt)
Flintco, LLC (commercial construction company)
The Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce
High Street Real Estate Development (owner of the building)
Resource Design (design firm)
R. J. Lawlor Contemporary Art (Rogers artist)
MobiCon Crushing and Recycling (commercial contractor with power washer equipment)
Rogers Land Company Real Estate (provider of water for power washing)
The Rusty Chair (provided the warehouse for storing the paint supplies)

The 80’ wide and 10’ high wall serves as a backdrop for hub for this weekend’s The Good Life Experience activities which include more than 30 interactive activities and workshops throughout Downtown Rogers. The mural will mirror the event’s theme illustrating the art, food and outdoor experiences in NW Arkansas.

Aaron Jones, director of arts integration and museum partnerships for Arkansas Arts Academy, was eager to participate in this community art opportunity. “Rogers is a community that is thriving when it comes to art. Our campus is just blocks from the heart of downtown Rogers and it Is clear the arts are supported,” commented Jones. “We are seeing the energy that surrounds the arts and crafts at the Downtown Rogers Farmers Market, the Heart of Rogers Craft Fair and the monthly Art on the Bricks Walk. We want to be a part of it,” he continued. One of Jones’ responsibilities at the school is to integrate the arts into the core curriculum and also educate the students as to how the arts benefit the community. “After our students graduate, we want them to be contributors to the community. Our goal goes beyond teaching them to be life-long students of the arts but also, active citizens,” he continued. “This project is just one of many where we can show them how they can volunteer and become actively involved in the community.”