PINE BLUFF, Ark. – The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas (ASC) is kicking off summer with a two-day party. Art Rocks: Summer Bash is a fundraising event with music, food trucks, games, art demos, art auctions, kid-friendly activities and more. The festivities are set for 5-9 p.m. Friday, June 2, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 3, 2023.
“Last year’s ART ROCKS! was a great time. We’re excited to build upon it and bring the same energy back for this year’s event,” says Morgun Henson, ASC’s Communications and Development Coordinator, who is organizing the event.
“This event was created to raise funds and bring new faces to The ARTSpace. Following last year’s format, we split the event into two days, offering an evening for adults to relax and unwind and a fun-filled Saturday for kids and families to enjoy. Each event will give attendees a different taste of what we offer and what is possible with our spaces.”
Friday’s festivities kick off at 5 p.m. with traditional and modern blues featuring a Pine Bluff favorite, the Port City Blues Society. Complimentary beer, wine, and soda will be available to ages 21 and older from 5-9 p.m., courtesy of M.K. Distributors.
Attendees can enjoy the concert while eating dinner from Lucy Mae’s Southern Food Truck and indulging in delicious dessert treats from B’s Sweet Treatz & Desirez, both of which will be on site.
They can also watch live artist demos and have an opportunity to bid on the finished pieces. Amy Darragh with Creative Cords Macrame of Little Rock will create woven wall hangings. Artist in residence Aida Ayers will create one-of-a-kind stained glass pieces. John Kushmaul of Little Rock will return this year to paint another unique landscape.
ART ROCKS! will also serve as an opening reception for summer artist-in-residence Dustyn Bork’s latest printmaking exhibition “Blueprints,” on view in the Loft Gallery through Aug. 13. Bork will be on site with printmaking demonstrations and activities.
In addition to the live demonstration auction, an artwork raffle from Little Rock artist Greta Kresse will be another opportunity for attendees to support ASC.
Entry to the Friday night festivities is $5 for ASC members and $10 for nonmembers. It is open to all ages, and those 21 and older can enjoy alcoholic beverages. All attendees will be carded and given wristbands.
While Friday night’s festivities are more adult-focused, “the Saturday portion of the event will be all about the kiddos and families,” Henson said. Admission to Saturday’s event is free. Activities include face painting, kids karaoke, and so much more.
“Community members can also create beautiful art with our spin-art bike and decorate our sidewalks with chalk art,” said Shakeelah Rahmaan, ASC’s education programs coordinator. Summer treats will also be available, she said.
“Our attendees can look forward to a fun weekend kicking off summer and celebrating with ASC,” Henson said.
The Summer Bash will be at ASC’s ARTSpace on Main, 623 S. Main St. The event is intended to bring new faces to the ARTSpace on Main and raise money for ASC’s newly expanded school-integrated youth outreach programs.
This year, money raised from ART ROCKS will directly benefit these efforts through our youth outreach programs. “After a recent focus on our strategic plan, one of our goals is to become more integrated into the schools in our 10-county area — including hiring more staff and growing our resources,” says Henson.
Relyance Bank, M.K. Distributors, Highland Pellets, Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel Co. and Pine Bluff Heat & Air are sponsoring the Summer Bash. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.
For more information, contact Henson at mhenson@asc701.org or call 870-536-3375.