Walton Arts Center is proud to present the 9th Annual Artosphere: Arkansas’ Arts + Nature Festival on June 10-23 with exciting performances and events across Northwest Arkansas.
The 2018 Artosphere Festival celebrates art, music and nature with dozens of free and low-cost performances, activities and events that the whole family can enjoy. This year’s festival explores water, a subject of crucial importance around the world, through large-scale art installations, a film series, performances and conversations.
The Artosphere Festival Orchestra, led by acclaimed music director Corrado Rovaris, returns for an eighth year as the musical centerpiece of the festival, performing three major concerts. For classical music lovers who like a casual vibe, don’t miss the festival’s AFO: Off the Grid featuring AFO musicians performing mini concerts at downtown restaurants and pubs in Fayetteville, Siloam Springs and Springdale.
The popular Chapel Music Series is back with both internationally lauded and locally loved musicians, many making their festival debut. This uplifting series of performances takes place in churches, chapels and unique architectural venues across Northwest Arkansas.
Artosphere Blends Art, Music & Nature
Artosphere Trail Mix returns with two days of outdoor fun and entertainment along local trail systems, while a worldwide, citizen-led walking tour makes its debut at the festival. Jane’s Walk is an annual festival of free walking conversations happening in hundreds of cities around the world and inspired by writer and activist Jane Jacobs. The Artosphere Jane’s Walk Tours will uncover unseen aspects of the community during themed walks in Fayetteville, while encouraging walking as a way to connect with our neighbors.
A new Artosphere Film Series, featuring films for adults, kids and families alike, will explore the wonder, magic and reality of the world’s greatest waterways, the creatures that dwell there, and the generations of people who call the water home.
HIGHLIGHTED FESTIVAL EVENTS:
ARTOSPHERE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
Live from Crystal Bridges: Mozart in the Museum | Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville | Friday, June 15, 8 pm | $40
From the Great Hall of the world-class Crystal Bridges museum in Bentonville, Maestro Rovaris leads the Artosphere Festival Orchestra in the 6th annual Mozart in the Museum performance. The concert will be broadcast live on KUAF 91.3 FM Public Radio. SOLD OUT
Beethoven Masterworks | Walton Arts Center, Baum Walker Hall, Fayetteville |10×10 Arts Series Event | Tuesday, June 19, 7 pm | $10
AFO performs Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, the Emperor Concerto, featuring Italian pianist Maurizio Baglini; and Symphony No. 6, the Pastoral Symphony. The performance will be illustrated and animated by French artist Grégoire Pont, whose visual imagery drawn live, will accent Beethoven’s work and delight audiences of all ages.
The American Spirit | Walton Arts Center, Baum Walker Hall, Fayetteville | Saturday, June 23, 8 pm | $10-49
A contemporary American sampler, this concert features the unique compositions of Leonard Bernstein, Jennifer Higdon and John Adams, and the incredible artistry of violist Roberto Díaz. Each piece brings a distinct perspective to a concert that exemplifies the best of American classical music.
Chapel Music Series
CHAPEL MUSIC SERIES
June 10, 11, 12, 13, 20 | Tickets: $10-$25
Listen to exquisite music played in local churches and architectural marvels including St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Hunt Chapel in Rogers, the E. Fay Jones-designed Mildred B. Cooper Chapel, the Chapel Ruins at Sassafras Springs Vineyard, and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. This year’s series features the acclaimed Dover Quartet, Ozark singers/songwriters Still on the Hill, percussion ensemble Arx Duo and violinist Roberto Díaz.
TRAIL MIX
TRAIL MIX: FAYETTEVILLE
Downtown Entertainment District | Friday, June 15, 5:30 to 7:30 pm | Free
Trail Mix comes to the heart of Fayetteville’s Entertainment District with artists and musicians performing at locations in the cultural corridor adjacent to Frisco Trail and around Walton Arts Center.
Trail Mix
TRAIL MIX: BENTONVILLE
Compton Gardens to Crystal Bridges Museum | Saturday, June 16, 11 am to 1 pm | Free
Don’t miss Trail Mix in Bentonville with artists and musicians performing along the Crystal Bridges Trail between Compton Gardens and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
4TH ANNUAL CRYSTAL BRIDGES GARDEN PARTY
June 16, 11 am to 4 pm | Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville | Free
Enjoy more free entertainment along the grounds and trails of Crystal Bridges featuring local, regional and Artosphere Festival musicians playing classics from Mozart and Bach to Michael Jackson and Beyoncé, as well as performances from Opera in the Ozarks, the nationally acclaimed summer music program based in Eureka Springs.
AFO: Off the Grid
AFO: OFF THE GRID
June 21-22 | 7 pm | Free
Artosphere Festival Orchestra ensembles perform casual “pop-up” concerts at local favorite gathering places in downtown Fayetteville (June 21), Springdale (June 22) and Siloam Springs (June 22). Follow Walton Arts Center on social media for the most up-to-date schedule of Off the Grid performance times and locations.
ARTOSPHERE FILM SERIES
The Buffalo Flows | Thursday, June 14, 7 pm | Starr Theater, Walton Arts Center | $5
Song of the Sea | Sunday, June 17, 11 am | Starr Theater, Walton Arts Center | $5
DisneyNature’s Oceans | Sunday, June 17, 2 pm | Starr Theater, Walton Arts Center | $5
Chasing Coral | Sunday, June 17, 5 pm | Starr Theater, Walton Arts Center | Free
KUAF SUMMER JAZZ SERIES
Bill Frisell Trio | Thursday, June 14, 7:30 pm | Starr Theater, Walton Arts Center | $30, $40
ARTOSPHERE JANE’S WALK
Fayetteville’s Urban History | Sunday, June 10, 10 am | Free
Mullins Creek Urban Stream Restoration | Sunday, June 10, 2 pm | Free
Walking Native Fayetteville | Sunday, June 10, 3 pm | Free
Ways to Wander: Rediscovering Our City | Saturday, June 17, 11 am | Free
VISUAL ARTS
The Bleak and the Burgeoning
June 19 – Oct. 7 | Joy Pratt Markham Gallery | Walton Arts Center | Free
Topo Map for School Avenue
On display throughout the festival | School Avenue, Fayetteville | Free
Artosphere Festival Musicians