ENTERTAINMENT: Fayetteville art exhibit seeks entries; book festival names ‘headliner’ | The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

ART

Regional exhibit

Aug. 10 is the deadline for Northwest Arkansas visual artists to submit works to Fayetteville’s Walton Arts Center for the sixth annual “Our Art, Our Region, Our Time” group art exhibition.

Curator Kathy P. Thompson will examine works from all visual art mediums by artists over 18 (or younger with parental consent) completed after Jan. 1, 2025.

Artists may submit up to two works, via the Walton Arts Center’s website.

The exhibition runs Sept. 25-Dec. 20 in the Alexander Gallery at the arts center’s Porter Art Warehouse in Fayetteville. For more information, email [email protected].

LITERARY

Headlining author

Author Ariel Lawhon will be the “headliner” for a fundraising event for the Central Arkansas Library System’s 2026 Six Bridges Book Festival, Oct. 4 at Ron Robinson Theater, 100 River Market Ave., Little Rock.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for a reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages; “An Evening with Ariel Lawhon” begins at 6:30. Lawhon will sign books afterward.

Lawhon’s works of historical fiction have landed her on The New York Times bestseller list; her books have been translated into more than 30 languages. Her novel “The Frozen River” was in the CALS’ Top 10 circulated adult fiction (print) titles of 2025.

Lawhon’s Little Rock appearance is part of a book tour for her latest novel, “The Pirate Queen,” due out Sept. 8, which a CALS news release describes as “a sweeping historical adventure inspired by the life of Grace O’Malley, the legendary Irish folk heroine who risked everything to defend her people.”

General admission tickets are $100 (which includes access to the reception). The first 60 ticket buyers will receive a complimentary copy of “The Pirate Queen.” Visit the website, SixBridgesBookFestival.org.

The fundraiser will be the concluding event of the 2026 Six Bridges Book Festival, Sept. 29-Oct. 4, in which CALS hosts approximately 50 authors for panel discussions, readings and book signings.

Seeking poets et al.

Organizers of the second annual Hot Springs Poetry Festival, Nov. 1-8 in venues throughout Hot Springs, are accepting submissions, proposals and applications from poets, workshop leaders, volunteers, vendors, sponsors and community partners interested in participating.

The literary arts initiative is “dedicated to elevating Arkansas arts and artists while celebrating the unique literary legacy and traditions of the Natural State,” according to a news release.

The festival is currently seeking:

◼️ Poetry and visual art submissions for the 2026 Festival Zine, a showcase for original poetry, visual art, hybrid work and experimental forms by Arkansas-based creators

◼️ Workshop, reading, panel and event proposals

◼️ Arkansas poets and literary artists interested in performing

◼️ Vendors, small presses, literary magazines and arts organizations for the Poetry Book Fair

◼️ Volunteers for festival operations and event support

◼️ Sponsors and community partners committed to supporting accessible arts programming.

For submission guidelines, sponsorship opportunities, volunteer information and partnership inquiries, email [email protected].