Arkansas Arts Center

After a four-hour drive through Buffalo River landscape which was beautiful on an clear autumn afternoon, the AAC was kind of a surprise. I didn't expect it to be so big or so nice, and the staff was very friendly. After many additions, the architecture of the building is modern on the outside, reminiscent of history inside. In fact one gallery preserved the art deco-ish facade from the 1930's to a nice effect.

We went to hear a presentation by the executive director of the American Craft Council and the director of development was also there. The lecture was mainly about the marketing plans for the ACC (who publishes American Craft Magazine) and the focus of the organization for the future. Several interesting tidbits, luckily I brought my handy new digital recorder if I ever remember to play it back!

Our friend Robert who is a collector and a Trustee of the ACC was there to speak also, spiffy in his orange-stripey shirt and inspiring about art and artists as he always is. (In fact, he's the one who told us about the event, thanks Robert!) The audience was small, and afterwards a few of us went to dinner. I was thinking, how often am I going to be sitting around a table with the likes of a museum curator of contemporary craft and staff of the American Craft Council, but my conversation was less than stellar. (Note to self: don't drink wine at these events anymore, not even one small glass of pinot noir.)

Finally Robert invited me to pass around a couple of small quilts I had brought, just in case, and everyone was dully underwhelmed. (Another note to self: don't show small work to people who haven't seen big work. Don't think it's my best side).

All in all, it was a great trip and my favorite time to year to go on driving trips. The next day we saw another interesting landmark in Little Rock...more on that later.