Artosphere knows no bounds. It’s in the Walton Arts Center, on the trails surrounding Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and perhaps inside a local afterhours watering hole.
“The arts are really all around us, and we’re trying to be a vehicle to show that, and the artists are a vehicle to show us,” says Jenni Taylor Swain, vice president of programming for the Walton Arts Center, the organization that coordinates Artosphere.
“We want people to think about Artosphere as a regional event.”
Entering its fourth year, Artosphere returns this week with programming that will be both familiar and new but all encompassed by the event’s theme - examining nature through art.
As in years past, public art projects are a big element.
The most visible - and massive - of the 2013 projects will be Stacy Levy’s “Spiral Wetland,” set for construction on Lake Fayetteville. The project will extend some 100 feet out from the lake dam near the water source’s northwest corner.
The plant-based project will form a spiral in the water, simultaneously providing fish habitat, a visual element and better water quality.
Other visual arts elements courtesy of Artosphere include a series of noise-making devices called “Sun Boxes” by Craig Colorusso and “The Herd” series by Tasha Lewis, which will place a herd of deer sculptures jumping through the Walton Arts Center lobby.
Among the events the arts center will bring in for Artosphere are a series ofchildren’s programs, which Swain says often contain the kind of message - taking care of nature - that is central to the Artosphere theme.
Kid-friendly events include a dinosaur petting zoo by Australian troupe ERTH, a May 3 appearance by Jack Hanna and a live presentation of the popular book “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.”
With the idea of being as savvy and resource-conscious as possible, Swain says organizers will get as much out of performers as possible while they are here.
ERTH’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo, for instance, which will be watched by dozens of school groups, will also make an appearance on May 4 at the popular Trail Mix Concert Tour.
The Fayetteville portion of Trail Mix has been rerouted.
Instead of looping around Lake Fayetteville, the event will take a more urban route, passing through downtown and headingtoward Greenhouse Grille on the city’s south side.
A companion event at Crystal Bridges will be similar to last year’s Trail Mix there.
Swain says Artosphere relies on organizational partnerships such as those forged with Crystal Bridges, Soul Yoga Lounge and various restaurants.
Whats Up, Pages 13 on 04/26/2013