Kent dover, allison pickell, kelly o’dwyer, paulette richie, dana kellerman, inez reeder, jim McAdams, marva caldwell, stephanie hurst, karen upton
Not Pictured: Kim robbins, leigh spann, doug wingfield
Making Wise Investments
Life is a series of investments. Our “Investment Issue” is the perfect opportunity to examine some of the many things in which we invest our time and resources.
We begin by shining a bright light on the Downtown Little Rock Partnership, a nonprofit organization that invests in the success of our city through vibrant events, public art projects and special committees dedicated to enhancing down town Little Rock. Read more about this organization’s amazing work in “Investing in Little Rock.”
When we think of the word “investment,” we most often think of finances. This month, we asked our friends at Meridian Investment Advisors to offer tips for creating a strong investment strategy. Be sure to read more in “Creating a Roadmap for the Future.”
For many of us, our homes are the biggest investment we will make. A home is an investment that requires a series of investments. We asked four local experts to lend their advice on the best ways in which homeowners can invest in their homes and protect their investment. Read more in “Invest in Your Nest.”
Did you know that April is National Stress Awareness Month? What better time to invest in your mental health? Melissa Wickliffe, Baptist Health Vice President of Behavioral Health, tells us how in “Prioritizing Mental Health.”
Time is one of our most precious commodities, and we can think of no better way in which to invest our time this spring than planting flowers. If you lack a green thumb – never fear. “Planting Spring Flowers” offers some helpful tips for creating a beautiful blooming garden.
And speaking of flowers, we must thank the brilliant Kathy Bay for lending her stunning piece “Garden Party” to our April cover. Read more about Kathy’s work in “Capturing Landscapes Through Abstraction.”
Thank you, friends, for investing your time with us each month. We hope you have a beautiful April!
STEPHANIE HASBROUCK, PUBLISHER @LITTLEROCKCITYLIFESTYLE
April 2025
PUBLISHER
Stephanie Hasbrouck
stephanie.hasbrouck@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Anna Yanosick | anna.yanosick@citylifestyle.com
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
LaKendria Geter | lakendria.geter@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Anna Yanosick, Stephanie Hasbrouck, Lori Hawkins
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Kyle Leyenberger, Katie Adkins Photography, Jason Masters
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Adam Finley
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1 –
3: Coldwell Banker RPM Group recently celebrated its Blue Carpet Event. 4 – 5: Community members, artists and art enthusiasts gathered at Art Group Gallery’s festive Hearts & Hues event. 6 – 7: The Punch Bowl celebrated its second anniversary.
Stanley is central Arkansas’ most trusted name in jewelry, and Laura Stanley is proud to continue the family tradition. A 3rd generation jeweler, she specializes in custom design, personal shopping for just the right piece, estate jewelry, or re-designing those pieces that just aren’t working for you anymore. Working by appointment is a private and personal experience, and once you visit her salon, you’ll feel the difference! Laura’s passion for fine jewelry comes through with every project.
business monthly
Class XL of Leadership Greater Little Rock Completes Economic Development Session
Class XL of the Leadership Greater Little Rock program recently completed its Economic Development Session. Class members heard from industry leaders in economic development, including those in business attraction, existing business support and entrepreneurial development. The class also enjoyed tours of the Port of Little Rock, the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport and Dassault Falcon Jet. Entergy Arkansas sponsored this session.
Sustain the Rock Awards Nominations Deadline is April 18
Nominations are open until Friday, April 18, for the 2025 Sustain the Rock Awards. If you know a business, non-profit, individual, school or others making strides toward environmental, economic and/or social sustainability in Little Rock, now is the time to recognize their efforts. Visit littlerock.gov/.../gre.../sustain-the-rock-awards to find the nomination form, learn more about eligibility and see a list of past winners.
Art Group Gallery Presents: Exploring Abstraction with Debora Stewart
Join Debora Stewart April 24-26 for a three-day workshop that will explore different ways to create abstracts in soft pastel or acrylic painting. Debora will share her experience and process with attendees and take the mystery out of abstraction. Debora is a Midwestern artist based in Iowa. She has received numerous awards for her work and has exhibited nationally and internationally. For more information on the workshop, visit artgrouparkansas.com
Photography by Little Rock Regional Chamber
DOWNTOWN LITTLE ROCK PARTNERSHIP WORKS TO REVITALIZE CITY
ARTICLE BY ANNA YANOSICK | PHOTOGRAPHY
BY KYLE LEYENBERGER, CONTRIBUTED
I NVESTING IN LITTLEROC K
“We advocate at the city and the state level for policies that will benefit the downtown.”
The Downtown Little Rock Partnership, a nonprofit organization, invests in the success of downtown Little Rock through vibrant events, transformative public art projects and special committees dedicated to the city’s enhancement.
“The organization was created to try to bring energy and people and businesses back downtown to invest in the city, invest in the urban core of the city and make it a place where people want to come,” says Kyle Leyenberger, DLRP’s communications director.
DLRP was founded in 1984 and originated from Little Rock Unlimited Progress, an organization that created the Metro Center Mall in 1978.
“In the 70s, they launched a project to create the Metro Center Mall, which was a pedestrian mall on several blocks of Main Street, right there at Capitol and Main. That project ultimately was not a success, and it was removed eventually.
Out of Little Rock Unlimited Progress, the Downtown Partnership was created and the Metro Center Business Improvement District, which we help manage at this point.”
The DLRP hosts various events to display the city’s abundant beauty, such as the Downtown Food Truck Festival, the dog parade Barkus on Main, the East Village Street Food Jam and MuralFest.
Kyle says the Main Street Revitalization Task Force, a DLRP committee devoted to making Main Street thrive, conceptualized the Downtown Food Truck Festival in 2011.
“When the food truck festival was first envisioned, Main Street was vacant storefronts and empty buildings. They thought, ‘What can we do to get people downtown and show them what it would be like if Main Street had a bunch of restaurants and things to do on it?’ And so that’s how the food truck festival was born.”
Last year’s MuralFest transformed a graffiticovered alley into an outdoor public art gallery.
“The organization was created to try to bring energy and people and businesses back downtown ...”
The Downtown Food Truck Festival, which will take place Sept. 21, attracts tens of thousands to the city each year, and 60 to 80 food trucks participate.
DLRP intends to revitalize Capitol Avenue after the success of Main Street and has begun holding the annual food truck festival on Capitol Avenue since last year.
“We have seen that success on Main Street, and we’re now trying to shift the focus and show off Capitol because that’s a very important street,” Kyle says. “It leads up to the Capitol. It’s right in the heart of our downtown.”
He says another way the DLRP works on improving downtown Little Rock is through public art projects.
“We will work with business owners. If they’re looking to put a mural on their building, we can help them find an artist, or if they have an artist they want, and our public spaces committee approves it, we can pay for half of that mural,” says Kyle. “We also work on other projects where a need has been identified. We did MuralFest last year in an alleyway that was covered in graffiti, and we added eight large-scale murals over the course of a couple of weeks to that alley and made an outdoor public art gallery and just transformed that space very quickly.”
DLRP also spearheaded the Downtown Little Rock Master Plan, a 200-page document that outlines steps for the city’s growth and development, such as strengthening the city’s relationship with the Arkansas River or connecting cultural amenities.
“We advocate at the city and the state level for policies that will benefit the downtown,” Kyle says. “We strongly urged the city that we needed to do a downtown master plan. We hadn’t ever done a comprehensive one for Little
Rock, and so we were able to help get that off the ground and get it going.”
Kyle says DLRP is working to improve bike and pedestrian accessibility under the master plan by narrowing wide streets to create safer routes to downtown amenities like the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Historic Arkansas Museum and Central High School.
“We have all these cool things, but they’re disconnected right now,” Kyle says. “One of the things that we’re trying to do is bring those more together and make sure there’s a clear, more connected path for people to go and visit these things.”
DLRP also manages the Ambassador’s Program, a community service initiative started in 2017.
Ambassadors wearing bright blue or green uniforms can be found on the streets of downtown Little Rock, patrolling the River Market, SoMa and the Main Street Creative Corridor. They help keep the city cleaner through safety patrol and litter removal.
“They’re out there picking up trash or cleaning up graffiti,” Kyle says. “They say hi to people, and ... if you need an escort, they can take you from your car to your work or from your work to your car.”
The Ambassador’s Program removed 218,221 pieces of trash in its first year.
“That’s making a real impact as well, and that’s another part of our work,” says Kyle.
He advises the easiest way to get involved with DLRP is to volunteer at events or join the Public Spaces Committee, which is an opportunity to weigh in on public art showcased downtown.
Downtown businesses also can join the DLRP by signing up for a membership. For more information on upcoming events or how to become a member, visit downtownlr.com .
ARTICLE BY STEPHANIE HASBROUCK PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASON MASTERS, CONTRIBUTED
CREATING A ROADMAP fortheFuture
MARSHALL MOON, SENIOR ADVISOR AND CHIEF EQUITY STRATEGIST AT MERIDIAN INVESTMENT ADVISORS, OFFERS INVESTMENT STRATEGY TIPS
Why is it important for individuals to devise an investment strategy?
The importance of an investment strategy is to keep you on track; think of it like a road map. Inevitably, there will be bumps in the road in the form of market volatility and temporary losses. A well-defined and agreed upon strategy should deter you from going off course and making poor decisions that will permanently impair the wealth that you are trying to build.
What should one consider when devising such a strategy?
Common considerations when crafting an investment strategy are age, goals, risk tolerance, time horizon and investing knowledge. All of these pieces help put together a puzzle in the form of a strategy that is clear, concise and understandable.
“There
is no better time than the present to create and implement an investment strategy.”
Marshall Moon
Our readers are in different stages of life. Some have children and are planning for their education. Some are empty nesters planning for retirement. Is it ever too early or too late to create an investment strategy?
There is no better time than the present to create and implement an investment strategy. Everyone’s financial needs and goals evolve over time, and it’s important for people to understand that and be able to navigate a changing landscape. For instance, a young couple might desire to save money for their children’s future college education expenses. There are tools, such as 529 accounts, that can help achieve this goal. Often, once this goal is accomplished, this evolves into empty nesters that might want to shift their focus to saving for retirement which requires a new strategy. Investment strategies are rarely static; they need to be monitored and amended as life changes. If you have financial goals, no matter your stage of life, it is important to put an investment strategy in place to help you accomplish them.
Would you say that your advisors help create a roadmap for wealth management?
Creating a roadmap for our clients is one of the most critical roles our advisors have. We spend immense amounts of time and effort discovering what our clients’ objectives are along with their motivations. It’s important that our clients have a clear understanding of what their desires are and how we’re going to accomplish them together. We want them to have confidence in the strategy being implemented so they can spend more time doing the things they value most.
Specifically, how can investment advisors help clients invest in their financial future? Investment advisors play a critical role in helping someone accomplish financial goals in the most efficient and cost-effective way. Financial, retirement, estate and tax planning all play a critical role in people’s lives, and a financial advisor should have the tools and/or network to make sure all these areas are addressed appropriately. Oftentimes, we serve as the financial quarterback in our client’s lives. If we don’t have the specific domain knowledge that a client needs, we’ll connect them with the appropriate person and stay as involved as they would like to ensure they’re receiving the care that we demand.
For more information about Meridian Investment Advisors, visit meridiania.com
I N V EST IN YOURNEST
A home is a serious investment – one that also requires a series of investments. We asked four experts their opinions on the best ways in which homeowners can invest in their nest – and protect it. They offer valuable advice to those seeking to make home improvements of all kinds.
INDUSTRY EXPERTS OFFER ADVICE ON VALUABLE INVESTMENTS FOR THE HOME
ARTICLE BY ANNA YANOSICK AND STEPHANIE HASBROUCK PHOTOGRAPHY
CONTRIBUTED AND BY KATIE ADKINS PHOTOGRAPHY
Investment-Worthy Home Improvements
Allison Pickell, Executive Broker/Realtor at Coldwell Banker RPM Group
When considering investing in one’s “nest,” large renovation projects often spring to mind – like a dream kitchen or a spa-like primary bathroom. While Coldwell Banker RPM Group’s Allison Pickell says some projects do add value to a home, she advises that homeowners not be swayed by fleeting trends.
“Bathroom and kitchen improvements tend to have the best return on investment,” Allison says. “The more neutral the bathroom the better. Ten years down the road, if trends have changed, and you picked a trendy look, your bathroom or kitchen will appear dated.”
Allison says homeowners also should be mindful of general maintenance projects, like painting, flooring and new roofing.
“If the house hasn’t been painted in the last five years, I recommend a fresh coat of paint. It is amazing to see the transformation, even if it’s the same color. Again, the more neutral the tone the more buyers it will attract.
“Also, if carpet is old or in disrepair, a seller that has the resources should absolutely replace that flooring. So many buyers in the market today will move onto the next house if they don’t believe the house is move-in ready.”
CONTINUED >
Invest in Your Home Network
John Paul David, Owner of Grounded Electric Etc.
Grounded Electric Etc. helps Central Arkansas homeowners enhance their home networks, ensuring reliable internet performance for remote work, homeschooling and everyday life.
The company offers free consultations to assess where dedicated cables can be added, working with homeowners to schedule installations at their convenience.
“A strong home network can improve productivity for work and home-schooling by increasing the speed and bandwidth of your network,” says John Paul David, master electrician, lead estimator and owner. “Adding dedicated cabling to certain things in the house like your TV or office computer can take a lot of strain off your Wi-Fi.”
A common mistake homeowners make is relying solely on their Wi-Fi provider’s modem.
“We had a homeowner with two work-from-home parents and two homeschool students all working off one standard Wi-Fi modem,” John says. “Any time someone needed to do a Zoom call, the others had to pretty much stop what they were doing. We ran dedicated Cat6 cables to each computer in the house and connected them to the back of the same Wi-Fi modem, but now that they were hard-wired, multiple computers could be on Zoom calls at the same time, and the others could continue with their work as well.”
With reliable wiring and enhanced coverage, homeowners can stay connected without interruptions.
Investing in Art
Kyle Boswell, Owner of Boswell Mourot Fine Art
Art not only brings beauty to one’s home, it also can be a wise investment.
“Art is one of the few investments that can stand the test of time,” says Boswell Mourot Fine Art Owner Kyle Boswell. “Historically, the art market has shown resilience, even during economic downturns. People collect original art because it is a reflection of life experiences, values and interests, but art can also be a significant asset.”
For those interested in starting a collection, Kyle advises first learning about art styles, movements and the art market. As a gallerist, he helps clients who seek unknown or emerging artists with promising talent.
“Many renowned artists’ works were once affordable, but their value soared over time, benefiting early investors significantly. By investing in lesser-known artists, you might unearth the next artistic sensation, thus enriching your art collection.” Beyond monetary returns, Kyle says owning original art is an investment in one’s surroundings.
“The joy of seeing a beautiful sculpture or a detailed oil painting in your own space is immeasurable. These pieces of art carry a unique aura that enriches your life and provides an emotional connection that goes beyond monetary value.”
Photo by Katie Adkins Photography
Insure Your Investments
Dennia Beard, Owner of Dennia Beard Insurance Agency
Preparing for the unexpected is key to protecting your home, and that starts with comprehensive insurance coverage.
“A home is one of the biggest investments a person will make, and having complete insurance coverage ensures financial protection against unexpected events like fire, theft, storms or liability claims,” says Dennia Beard, a State Farm insurance agent and owner of Dennia Beard Insurance Agency. “If you are a renter, it’s just as important because a landlord’s policy doesn’t cover personal belongings or liability for accidents inside the home. Having the right coverage will provide the peace of mind and stability when the unexpected happens.”
Dennia says homeowners often overlook inflation protection, ensuring coverage adjusts with rising construction costs. Additionally, loss of use coverage, which covers temporary living expenses if a home becomes uninhabitable, is frequently underestimated.
She says flood insurance is essential, as standard homeowners’ policies don’t cover flood damage.
“Many people assume they are safe if they are not in a high-risk zone, but floods can result from heavy rain, poor drainage or burst pipes,” Dennia says. “One inch of water can cause thousands of dollars in damage, making flood insurance a wise investment.”
Dennia says, “Home insurance isn’t about protection. It’s about planning for the unexpected and ensuring financial security. Customize your coverage to fit your needs to prevent future hardship.”
ARTICLE BY STEPHANIE HASBROUCK PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTED
“Taking the time to seek out mental health treatment increases our ability to cope on a day-to-day basis, it makes our relationships more fulfilling and leads to a more positive outlook on life.”
Prioritizing Mental Health
Melissa Wickliffe, Baptist Health Vice President of Behavioral Health, Explains Ways to Invest in Mental Wellness
ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STRESS, 80% OF ADULTS REGULARLY EXPERIENCE STRESS. TO WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THESE HIGH NUMBERS?
Stress is our body’s natural reaction to everyday changes and challenges. Most people attribute stress to a negative reaction, but there are good and bad types of stress. For example, stress due to having a baby or graduating college creates stress stemming from positive changes. On the flip side, financial uncertainty, loss of job or divorce are examples of stress stemming from negative challenges. Given all adults experience day-to-day challenges, our stress responses are very normal reactions. It is how we deal with stress that becomes the focus in order to move forward in a mentally healthy way.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO INVEST IN ONE’S MENTAL HEALTH?
Mental health is just as important as investing in your physical health. Reducing the stigma around treating mental health really has allowed for us as a society to access and utilize mental health treatment more readily. Taking the time to seek out mental health treatment increases our ability to cope on a
day-to-day basis, it makes our relationships more fulfilling and leads to a more positive outlook on life. Much like not addressing physical health symptoms like high blood pressure, for instance, leading to increased heart disease, not addressing mental health can affect not only our day-to-day lives but can also further complicate any physical ailments we are dealing with. Studies show that people with poor mental health have an increased likelihood of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
WHAT ARE SOME PRACTICAL WAYS IN WHICH INDIVIDUALS CAN REDUCE STRESS AND IMPROVE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH?
Seeking out support through a mental health therapist for individual counseling or participating in a support group are great ways to reduce stress and improve overall mental health. Other ways include exercise, meditation, having a solid support system at work and home and finding a hobby that brings you joy such as painting, hiking, reading or yoga. It is easier said than done, but also prioritizing eating well and getting enough sleep can be a great thing to improve our overall mental well-being.
FOR THOSE SEEKING ADDITIONAL HELP, WHY ARE BAPTIST HEALTH’S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICS A GOOD OPTION?
Baptist Health focuses on the care of the whole person — body, mind and spirit. This focus provides for true integrated care to ensure that we are treating physical and mental health together. Healthcare has come a long way to recognize the importance of treating both congruently. Our outpatient behavioral health clinics provide the full array of outpatient services including not only individual therapy, but also access to psychiatric physicians and APRNs that are able to assist when medication is needed.
WHAT SERVICES DO THE CLINICS PROVIDE?
Our outpatient behavioral health clinics are located in both Little Rock and North Little Rock and provide licensed behavioral health therapists, counselors, APRNs and psychiatrists. Telehealth services are also available. Services are available to children, adolescents and adults.
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING?
Children, adolescents and adults can all benefit from behavioral health counseling for concerns including sadness/depression, anxiety, coping with life changes, help with marital or familial relationships, substance abuse self or within family, trauma, PTSD and grief.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE RESPONSE FROM CLIENTS?
Clients who engage in behavioral health treatment often report relief and and improved sense of well-being. Providing the space for clients to express their feelings and work through solutions with a therapist often leads to reports of better home and work life. Half the battle is acknowledging what is holding us back. Therapy gives us room for that expression as well as time to work through and proceed with a more full sense of self and life.
Baptist Health Behavioral Health ClinicLittle Rock is located at 11321 Mabelvale West Road, Suite 304. To schedule an appointment, call 501-202-7587. For more information on both the Little Rock and North Little Rock locations, visit baptist-health.com .
Planting Spring Flowers
Helpful tips for planting spring flowers
Sun-Loving Plants:
Spring is here! We compiled a list of flowers that - depending on your planting zone - can be planted in the season.
Plumbago
Has beautiful dark blue or white flowers on a large shrub of 3 to 5 feet. This tends to freeze down in winter and comes back from roots in the spring.
Hibiscus
The tropical variety will not survive the winters so move those pots inside. The plant can get up to 5 feet tall and there are many different colors and varieties. The perennial varieties will freeze to the ground but come back in the spring. The variety Moy Grande is known as the dinner plate hibiscus. The Texas star hibiscus has beautiful flowers in red or white.
Bougainvillea
These colorful plants can be planted in baskets and pots, not in water-logged or low areas where water might collect. They will grow best when given enough space to spread out, and should be planted in an area that will allow them a minimum of 5-6 hours of sunlight every day. Colors include orange, pink, purple, white, red, tangerine and fuschia to name a few.
Purslane
This is great in baskets for trailing leaves with lots of colors. The bees love it!
Butterfly Weed
This 3 to 4-foot bush is a must for monarch lovers. Monarchs feed on the leaves before making their cocoons. It has beautiful orange and yellow flowers.
ARTICLE BY LORI HAWKINS
Shade-Loving Plants:
Lantana
This is a great hot weather plant that comes in many colors and varieties. Trailing varieties only get about 1 foot tall but can get 3 to 4 feet wide. There are bush varieties that get 4 feet tall and dwarf bushes only get about 2 feet tall. It comes in yellows, purples, reds, oranges, pinks, fuchsia, and many others.
Gregg’s Blue Mist
This fuzzy light blue flower is a butterfly favorite.
Pentas
This is another bee and butterfly favorite that grows about 10 to 12 inches tall. There is a graffiti variety in different colors that works in beds or pots.
Vinca/Periwinkle
This plant comes in upright or trailing varieties. There are many colors to choose from: lavender, white with a red center, peach, white and red, pink to strawberry.
Sages
There are many varieties of sage. The Texas sage is a shrub that has beautiful lavender flowers - a favorite for bees. They usually bloom around the time it rains. Henry Duelberg variety is a smaller bush 18 to 20 inches tall with blue stalks of blooms. Russian Sage is a tall silver lacey foliage with light blue flower spikes and grows to 4 feet tall. Deer tend to stay away from most of the sages.
Turk’s Cap
This plant makes a large bush of red or pink flowers. It has low water needs once established and can tolerate drought conditions and hot temperatures. Prune back plant in winter if it gets too leggy.
Impatiens
These need more water than most other plants and come in many colors. They are valued for their vibrant colors, abundant blooms, and tolerance for shade.
Caladiums
With lush multicolored leaves, many larger than the palm of your hand, caladiums have become one of the most popular foliage plants for shady or semi-shady gardens—with many recent introductions being sun tolerant.
APRIL 5TH – 6TH
Arkansas Symphony Orchestra: Fairies and Flowers
Robinson Center | Various Times
Fairies & Flowers features music inspired by nature and mythical creatures. The program comprises Henry Purcell’s Excerpts from The Fairy Queen, Jean Françaix’s L’Horloge de Flore and Felix Mendelssohn’s Incidental Music from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Enjoy these timeless compositions at 7:30 p.m. on April 5 and 3 p.m. on April 6. For tickets, visit arkansassymphony.org/events/
APRIL 6TH
Barkus on Main
4th & Main Street | Noon
This Mardi Gras dog parade and block party includes vendors, food trucks, a beer garden, a hurricane station, gumbo, a crawfish boil and beads. The parade starts at 2:30 p.m., with festivities kicking off at noon and resuming after the parade. To enter your pup in the parade, visit barkusonmain.com.
APRIL 10TH – 13TH
Lanterns at Wildwood Park for the Arts
Wildwood Park for the Arts |Various Times
Lanterns is West Little Rock’s most popular outdoor festival. Each year, the event celebrates the food, music, crafts and performing arts of a combination of world cultures, fantasy lands and one U.S. city. Explore the beautiful outdoor lights along the woodland trails and light a lantern and float it on the lake for good luck.
New works by Ray Parker
Opening Reception Saturday, April 26, 6 to 9 pm Exhibition runs through May 17. Conversation with the Artist Thursday, May 8, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
CONTINUED
APRIL 19TH
Mother Vine Market Plant Sale
Mother Vine Market | 10:00 AM
Mother Vine Market, 17900 Lawson Road, will hold a Plant Sale from 10 a.m.4 p.m. Saturday, April 19. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, Mother Vine has what you need to kick off the growing season. The sale will include vegetable and herb starts and Arkansas native plants.
APRIL 26TH – 27TH
Ballet Arkansas: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts | 2:00 PM
Set to Felix Mendelssohn’s beloved score, this condensed telling of Shakespeare’s timeless tale of love and mischief takes place amidst the ethereal backdrop of an enchanted forest on a magical summer’s night. A Midsummer Night’s Dream brings together a community cast of dancers to weave a tapestry of romance, comedy and magic.
APRIL 27TH
DoNot Stop Half Marathon
River Front Park | 8:00 AM
The annual DoNot Stop Half Marathon, 5K/10K combines running and donuts for a sweet time. This family-friendly event features designer shirts, a custom medal, chip-timing, live results, free photos and donuts at the finish line. For tickets, visit runsignup.com
Want to be featured?
Capturing Landscapes Through Abstraction
Kathy Bay Shares Her Work and Thoughts on Art as an Investment
Kathy Bay is an award-winning, prolific artist who creates imaginative works on paper, canvas and steel. Her designs often are rendered with collage to add interest and dimension.
“I seek to capture a unique representation of landscapes through abstraction in my exploration of color, line, texture and collage,” she says.
Kathy’s work has been selected for numerous juried exhibitions nationally and can be found locally at Boswell Mourot Fine Art.
When asked her thoughts on art as an investment, Kathy advises, “A wise choice is investing in art that you like and can enjoy every day. Adding beautiful aesthetics to your home or office offers years of immeasurable pleasure and potential for long term appreciation.”
Artist
Top Left: Kathy Bay
Top Right: Garden Party, Acrylic/Canvas, 36”x36”
Lower Right: Better Offer, Oil/Canvas, 48”x60”
COMMITMENT
At Baptist Health, we understand the importance of mental well-being and are here to support you. If you’re experiencing mood swings, anxiety, or other mental health concerns, our compassionate team of psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors is ready to help. We will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique needs. Our services include both inpatient and outpatient options, with a particular focus on supporting seniors and individuals struggling with substance abuse. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and we’re here for you every step of the way.
If you need someone to talk to or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our mental health specialists, please call the Behavioral Services Call Center at (501) 202-7006.
LITTLE ROCK
Baptist Health Behavioral Health Clinic 11321 Mabelvale West Rd. Suite 304
NORTH LITTLE
Baptist Health Behavioral Health Clinic 3201 Springhill Dr. Suite 400
