Delta Visual Arts Reception

Yesterday elected officials, city leaders, community patrons and representatives from the Clinton School of Public Service were on hand for a press conference and reception to kick off the Delta Visual Arts Center project.

The reception celebrates the launch of the Delta Visual Arts Center project in downtown Newport. Three students from the Clinton School of Public Service, Todd Moore, Emily Fischer, and Joanna Klak were introduced. The three will be working with the community to start exploring the concept of creating an art center that will celebrate, encourage and promote the arts of the Arkansas Delta. The concept was generated by a committee with members from the Newport Economic Development Commission, DRIVE, and the Iron Mountain Regional Arts Council. The students will help create a plan to establish the Arts Center, which will work as a regional visual arts engine to draw people into the Delta, as a key component of the downtown revitalization effort of Newport, and as a forum to bring economic opportunity to Delta-based artists. The Clinton School students will work during the 2008-09 academic year to develop a capital grant proposal and create a cohesive vision for the project.

The project is in the beginning stages, and no construction is not planned yet. But as community leaders and members, this is a project that I hope everyone will support. If you can get involved in any small part with the project, I encourage you to contact John Chadwell at the Newport Economic Development Commission. Ask how you can help? - Cheryl