As students return to campus, they may notice several changes that have already taken place and changes that will continue throughout the semester. But there are some changes around the community that students may not have noticed.
Two new businesses have opened in downtown Arkadelphia. The Artist Spirit Gallery and Asian Fu are new additions to the downtown area that the owners hope will be able to attract college students.
“The atmosphere downtown is so much better when there are students from the universities here,” said Barb Boswell, owner of the gallery. “They’re fun. Why shouldn’t we encourage them to come down here?”
Together, Boswell and Kathy Smith, owner of Asian Fu, want to reintroduce downtown to the residents of Arkadelphia and improve the community by joining the different parts of town. Their first step is to host The Main Street Event.
This event begins today at 4 p.m. Streets will be blocked off to make room for inflatables, live entertainment and food vendors. The Arkadelphia Parks and Recreation will provide volleyball nets for Nerf volleyball. A Baggo tournament will be hosted, along with other entertainment.
The majority of downtown merchants will be staying open and many will offer specials of some kind.
If the street event is a success, they plan on organizing more events in October and November and then hosting more in the spring. Both Boswell and Smith hope this event will raise awareness that downtown is growing and hope that residents will frequent the area.
“We need the merchants to realize that we have two universities here … we need the universities to know that we are here for them,” Smith said.
One goal is to keep people in Arkadelphia.
“When you talk to people who have never been to Arkansas, they think we have a thriving college town, and we don’t,” Smith said.
Both Boswell and Smith would like to see more “quirky” shops in Arkadelphia and agree that dying downtowns are typically picked up by artists.
The purpose of the gallery is to introduce art and a gallery setting to the non-university population. Boswell hopes to introduce that culture by bringing in new artists and new art.
Boswell hosts live drawing classes in the gallery on Tuesday nights and will begin hosting painting classes in September. She is also planning to begin a “paint night,” where artists from all walks can come together and share tips and suggestions.
“There are people with experience that just need a platform,” Boswell said.
Boswell welcomes students’ work in her gallery. Interested students are requested to bring their portfolio to review, and if she likes their work she will do a show featuring their art. She is excited to have a student show in the gallery.
“The pressure of having your work, new work, in public; that’s a whole different ballgame,” she said.
Boswell understands having work in a gallery is the first step for most students and this is an easier step than getting into galleries in Hot Springs or Little Rock.
Smith got her break when Boswell moved to the gallery. She has been able to use Asian Fu to teach about the benefits of bamboo. The store offers custom gift baskets, which she can deliver in the morning. People are welcome to call in orders, which can be ready after 5 p.m.
Smith has expanded enough since opening to relocate to a bigger store. She is willing to open early, to be available before people go to work or school, so they can take advantage of the various teas, coffees and snacks her store offers.
Both Boswell and Smith want students to give them ideas. They encourage students to speak up and voice their ideas.
“[College students] are the lifeblood of this community,” said Boswell. “The young people that come out of these universities – they make this place live.”
The Artist Spirit Gallery is located at 636 Main Street. Contact Boswell at 870-245-5667 or http://www.theartistspiritgallery.com or theartistspirit@aol.com.
Asian Fu is now located at 208 South 7th St. Contact Smith at asianfu@att.net.
