'In The Atrium' Continues, Expands Into Spring

The Walton Arts Center's new In The Atrium series has been immensely popular with audiences itching to get back to live performance.

That is to say, popular in their enthusiasm -- not bulked-up attendance numbers. The Fayetteville performance venue will still continue social distancing practices, require masking, and maintaining safety protocols through at least the end of May as staff continues to monitor state regulations and guidelines, Public Relations Director Jennifer Wilson reveals.

"Lots of people are reserving tables and attending, and it is a great way to experience a performance in a different space," Wilson shares. The setting sees guests at cabaret tables where "quaran-teams" or groups from the same household are appropriately distanced from the other tables.

"Most people walk through the Walker Atrium there in Walton Arts Center, but to actually get to sit and experience a show there, with Dickson Street in the background, it's really cool," Wilson continues. "And we're excited to see how it's going to develop over the next couple of weeks, as well."

The primary focus of the series to this point has been music, with small groups or solo acts presented between two and four times each weekend. The latest schedule announcement revealed several performers outside music, branching into other arts styles as was the programming team's hope from the start.

"We really have been able to increase the diversity in the programming -- not just in the types of performances, but in the people giving the performances, which is really great to showcase what a variety of different art forms we have available in Northwest Arkansas," Wilson says.

In particular, programmers are eager to find more opportunities to work with the robust Indian community of Northwest Arkansas. Born out of the desire to ensure every part of the community sees itself reflected in WAC's content, organizers consulted and collaborated with community organizations to incorporate more culturally specific programming, and to debut a new cultures festival. The inaugural event, which was supposed to take place in April of last year, was set to highlight the vibrant culture of India.

Luckily, some of those new relationships have manifested as arts and culture celebrations during the In The Atrium series. The current lineup continues through April 3, with more performances to be announced soon.

-- Jocelyn Murphy

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