On May 13 – 14th, a team of artists and consultants from Little Rock will be in Clinton to discuss adding more murals to the area’s growing collection of public art.
Pat and Tracee Matthews, nationally-known artists, are coming to Clinton to assist with the development of murals for “We Love VBC”, the downtown revitalization initiative in Clinton . This is part of the Breakthrough Solutions Program with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service .
Pat Matthews has been named Arkansas Artist of the Year four times. His work is featured in galleries in several other states, and has created his art live before thousands of people. His wife Tracee is also an accomplished artist, was recently named as the artist for the Riverfest in Little Rock . Her work is on the cover of the Little Rock City Guide.
Downtown Clinton already has several pieces of public art including murals by artists Hart Williams and Morton Brown, and a fountain sculpture by artist Hank Kaminsky. Local business owners and revitalization organizers have been in discussion with artists in Clinton and Fairfield Bay about the prospect of at least four new sites for murals.
On Tuesday, May 13th, at noon there will be a meet-and-greet with a light lunch served at the
linton Municipal Airport . The public is invited to attend. The artists will talk about their work and will spend the day touring Clinton and determining optimal mural locations. At 3PM the artists will begin working on their designs inside Two Kidds Creations and Occasions at 358 Main Street in Clinton . The community is welcome to stop by and see them work.
For those who cannot attend the noon gathering, there is another opportunity to meet the artists at that evening’s pie auction fundraiser for the Adrienne Wilbers Small Business Grant which begins at 6:00pm at the Clinton High School Cafeteria. That event is held by the Clinton Chamber of Commerce.
On Wednesday, May 14th, the artists will present their work and recommendations at noon at the airport along with a presentation about grants and fundraising opportunities for public art. The public is invited and refreshments will be served.
More information about the revitalization initiative can be found at: www.welovevbc.com
