It was bittersweet when news of Harry and Kathi Blundell's impending retirement from the Arts Center of the Ozarks became public in January. No one would begrudge the Blundells, the heart and soul of a fine organization that promoted arts and culture in Northwest Arkansas for 40-plus years under their guidance, a happy retirement. But knowing that their remarkable run was ending as do-it-all-and-then-some fixtures at ACO was a sad thought indeed.
Sad changed to startled and confused last week when the ACO board of directors revealed the Blundells would be leaving the arts center not during season 50, which will begin this summer, but at the end of April. That news was accompanied by an announcement ACO would also experience a change in its mission going forward.
What’s the point?
Questions about the future of the Arts Center of the Ozarks remain unclear as two longtime leaders step away.
It is not yet clear what that change will mean to ACO's longtime supporters and patrons, not to mention to downtown Springdale, which has been the organization's home throughout its existence.
The arts center had modest beginnings, but it grew into an educational, cultural and artistic dynamo, promoting visual arts, music and theater to the local community. There were programs for kids and grownups, shows to entertain and enlighten the audience and feed the performance needs of local amateur talents. The community -- and by that, we don't just mean Springdale -- supported it with modest contributions and many volunteer hours. At the center of all of that for the past 42 years were Harry and Kathi, doing everything from running the business side to directing the shows to teaching the classes to, we're sure, washing the dishes and taking out the trash.
When the Blundells let it be known that 2016 would be their last year with ACO, change was expected. That they aren't able to actually finish the season is disappointing. What the board, which has been very complimentary toward the Blundells and their decades of service and hard work, has in mind for the future remains unclear.
We, like the entire arts community in Northwest Arkansas, are hoping for the best and eagerly waiting to hear about the next chapter in ACO's existence.
No one can doubt, however, that earlier chapters were written well by the hand of Harry and Kathi Blundell. The community expects that what happens next will be worthy of their tremendous legacy.
Commentary on 04/25/2016