Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Can a town held by Hendrix students to be only a slight step above a fast food detour ever become, in the words of Hendrix provost Dr. Robert Entzminger, "vibrant and creative"? If nothing else, things are definitely looking up for the humble, prohibitionist settlement our school calls home. Continuing the efforts of many other Hendrix endeavors such as Volunteer Action Committee (VAC) and Project Pericles, the Conway ArtsFest taking place this Saturday at Simon Park will seek to unite campus and community in a manner infinitely more fruitful then, say, going to Stoby's for dinner. Arising out of conversations between Dr. Entzminger and Dr. Rolling Potter, Dean of the fine arts at UCA, the festival will be a mid-day affair featuring a variety of theatrical, artistic, and musical performances.

Scheduled to be revealed at 12:30 p.m., the tangible centerpiece of the ArtsFest is a 26 x 36 foot mural designed by one of UCA's artists in residence Morton Brown. Meticulously applied to the south side of the Conway City Hall, the mural is, fittingly, mindful of the past and the future, the commonplace and the bizarre; antiquated buildings and a train share space with spinning ballerinas and a flying child ascending into digitalization. The product of six weeks work divided between Brown and eight UCA students, the mural will provide inspiration for the artistic expression to come.

Beginning at 1:00 p.m., members of Hendrix Theatre Arts and Dance will present Anansi Does the Impossible, an interactive play based on an African folk tale. After encountering tribal lore, audience members will then bear witness to a comedic interpretation of Shakespeare's "star-cross'd lovers" performed by three male UCA students. Following the theatrical productions, shuttles will be provided to transport ArtsFest attendees to a Chamber Music Concert beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the Reves Recital Hall. Featured players include The Cross Town Trio, a vocal ensemble, and the UCA Pinnacle Brass band. There will be a reception inside Trieschmann after the concert.

Rounding off the holy trinity of performing arts, a selection of short films shown by UCA faculty and students will be playing from 1 - 3:45 p.m. in the district court building. Finally, for everyone who would rather just amble around downtown Conway, eat food, and draw, Mike's Place will be serving free hor'dourves throughout the day and sidewalk chalk will be readily available.

With a wide-array of artistic expression supported by a receptive community, the ArtsFest has the potential to, as Dr. Entzminger avers, "put Conway on the map". Undoubtedly, any road-trippers driving through our town on Saturday will get back on I-40 with more then just an empty bladder and fast-food in their belly.

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