Fine Arts Center Grand Reopening
75 Years of Fine Arts: The Next Era of Art in Arkansas
Join the School of Art on April 16 for the Fine Arts Center's grand reopening. More details below.
Since the 1950s, the Fine Arts Center at the University of Arkansas has been a cornerstone of arts and culture in Arkansas. Designed by Arkansas native, U of A alumnus, and renowned architect Edward Durell Stone, it was the first academic building in the nation to unite theatre, dance, music, art, and architecture within a single, connected space. In 2023, the School of Art began restoring this historic building in partnership with architectural firms TenBerke and MBL Architecture. The School of Art is honored to welcome the public in celebrating the restored center on April 16.
Grand Reopening Celebration on April 16
Reception
5–7 p.m. | Fine Arts Center Lobby
Enjoy food and beverages, explore newly revitalized spaces for learning and making,
a virtual reality demonstration focused on creativity and wellness, and experience
live music and contributions from a range of artistic disciplines, including theatre
and music.
RSVP to the Reception
Schedule of Events
All Day
Fine Arts Center Teaching Gallery
"The First Years" Exhibition
View the original ticket booth from the 1950s, a chaise longue designed by Edward
Durell Stone and manufactured by Fulbright Industries, and work from former art faculty.
This exhibition is a collaboration between the School of Art, UA Libraries, and the
UA Museum. On view from April 16 until July 10.
Fine Arts Center Lobby
Creativity + Wellness: Virtual Reality for Emotional Regulation
The Technology Empowered Storytelling Lab (TESL) at the School of Art, in collaboration
with the Sam M. Walton College of Business, will present Elara 0.1—an immersive virtual reality environment. Moving away from conventional “calm VR”
nature scenes, the project explores how interactive, art-driven environments—shaped
by the user—can support emotional regulation. Future iterations will incorporate biometric
data to create adaptive environments that respond to the user’s internal state.
Throughout the Day
10 A.M.–2 P.M. | Fine Arts Center Second Floor
Printmaking
Join School of Art Printmaking & Photography Technician Leah Grant to print your own
tote bag! Available while supplies last.
11 A.M.–3 P.M. & 5–7 P.M. | Fine Arts Center Lobby
Tactile Art Demo
Experience a tactile model of a famous artwork created to increase access to art for
individuals with and without vision loss. Participants can interact with the model
and learn more about this groundbreaking project, resulting from a multi-year collaboration
between the School of Art and the NWA chapter of the National Federation of the Blind
of Arkansas.
12 P.M. | Fine Arts Center Lobby
Free Lunch
Enjoy free lunch and refreshments provided by the School of Art, including gluten-free,
vegetarian, and vegan options. Available while supplies last.
3 P.M. | Fine Arts Center Conference #115
Loom Workshop
MFA student Minahil Qazi will lead a loom workshop. Participants will receive their
own kit and be guided in creating beautiful textile art.
6–7 P.M. | Fine Arts Center Lobby
Live Portraits
MFA Studio Art student Yair A. R. Sikorski will create custom-made portraits of participants
who request them at the reception. Participants will pose for a few minutes while
the artwork is created and can take home the finished portrait the same day.
"The First Years" Exhibition
in collaboration with University Libraries Special Collections and UA Museum
The First Years
On view: April 16–July 10
Beginning April 17, the exhibition is open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., or by
appointment.
Discover works from the building’s early days, including a chaise lounge designed by Edward Durell Stone and manufactured by Fulbright Industries, the original ticket booth, and artwork by former U of A faculty Plus, check out the digital collection of similar works on the University Libraries' site.
Special Thanks
The restoration was made possible through the generous support of the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, and the University of Arkansas.
The School of Art would also like to thank TenBerke and MBL Architecture, the U of A's Office of Advancement, University Libraries, Catherine Wallack (archivist, U of A Special Collections), U of A Department of Music, U of A Department of Theatre, John Blakinger, Ph.D. (Endowed Associated Professor, School of Art), Marc Mitchell (Associate Professor, School of Art), Ryan Slone (Assistant Professor, School of Art), Will Watson (Sr. Graphic Designer, School of Art), and McKinley Hughes (Student, School of Art) for their contributions to the reopening's exhibition and digital collection.