Artists of NW Arkansas ANA

 Northwest Arkansas Living    Northwest Arkansas Living   Northwest Arkansas Living

Our Mission

Our Mission is to sponsor, encourage, assist and promote enjoyment and understanding of the Visual Arts in Northwest Arkansas.

Our History

Originally, the group began in the home of Beth Vacanti, who, after discovering the lack of a supporting group of artists in Fayetteville, decided to start an association similar to others she was familiar with in California. The first meeting was October 14th, 1991, at the Fayetteville Public Library.

The goal of this group is to provide a way for artists to meet and share experiences, plus increase awareness in the community of the diversity of artistic talent in this area. The name chosen was the Fayetteville Art Association (FAA). Members participated in the Grand Opening of the Walton Art Center in April of 1992 where they recruited members for the new group. In the next few years the FAA grew in membership and enjoyed a variety of speakers, shows and activities. In December 1996, the group included artists from so many surrounding areas, the name was changed to the Artists of Northwest Arkansas (ANA), and a new logo was adopted.

In 1997, the Annual Regional Art Exhibition was expanded to become a 10-state, regional show then held at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale, Arkansas. Because of the generous support of the Bank of Fayetteville and NBC 24/51, we were able to fund the first show and start our scholarship fund which is now awarded to (at least) two promising art students annually in conjunction with the show.
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The Artists of Northwest Arkansas meet monthly to host speakers, workshops, etc. These venues are offered free to the public. The specifics, places and times are noted in our monthly newsletter, which is found here, on our website. Please join us at one of our meetings and share in our love of the visual arts and in promoting the rich talent of artists in northwest Arkansas.

Signature Members

Signature members have been juried into five ANA Regional Art Exhibitions and maintain current membership status in ANA. The first year members were eligible for Signature Membership was 2001.

Carolyn Bailey / Sandy Barksdale / Bill Barksdale / Johnny Bowen  / Dorothy Campbell  / Carol Cooper / Terry Dushan / 

Susan Edgmon / Amy Eichler / L.S. Eldridge / Karolyn Farrell / Virginia Haines / Diana Harvey / Helen Hellweg / Joe Ray Kelley /
Brenda Laney / Judy Maurer / Willis Miller / Rosanne Nekuda / Erika Nelson / Laverne Nelson / Leslie Newman /
Victor Parkerson / Martin Peerson / Gloria E. Pendry / Ann Powers  / Carol C. Roberts / Beth Schindler / Sharon Simmons /
Trena Ward