LITTLE ROCK – Historic Arkansas Museum (HAM) announces the opening of the new Crafting Community exhibit on Friday, October 11, showcasing textiles, knives, printed materials, leatherworks, joinery and woven cane furniture. These pieces result from collaboration between HAM educators and local craft enthusiasts, all part of HAM’s innovative Living Craft program. Drawing inspiration from historical items in the museum’s Arkansas Made collection, the exhibit demonstrates a passion for preserving traditional skills while adapting them for the future.
The opening of the Crafting Community exhibit on Friday, October 11, is from 5 – 8 p.m., during 2nd Friday Art Night. This is a free event and will have live music by "Ain’t Got Nothin’" and refreshments, including Arkansas-made beer from Norfork Brewing in Norfork. The exhibit will be displayed in the Trinity Gallery for Arkansas Artists from October 11, 2024 – January 26, 2025.
Historic Arkansas Museum is committed to honoring these heritage craftworks, not merely as relics, but as living practices sustained by vibrant, contemporary makers. This exhibit is a testament to the ongoing relevance of these crafts and the thriving community that keeps them alive.
We also invite you to be part of this creative community through Living Craft Guild Days! Each weekday, interpreters will focus on a different living craft. Join us weekly, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. for Textile Tuesday, Wednesday at the Press, Thursday at the Forge and Foodways Friday, where we’ll share knowledge, learn from each other and build a flourishing craft community together. The Living Craft Guild Days are a free event Tuesday-Friday each week.
For more information, visit the Historic Arkansas Museum website.
