This June, INTERFORM a non profit arts organization (formerly known as NWA Fashion Week) will open a series of exhibitions in Downtown Springdale curated by and featuring local artists from throughout the region. The project, collectively titled ASSEMBLY, brings together six young curators, including a member of the Interform team, chosen to work alongside INTERFORM leadership in selecting artists, handpicking artworks, coordinating exhibition spaces, creating a theme and installing their exhibitions.

This curatorial training program is the first of its kind in the state. Working alongside mentors from regional institutions like Crystal Bridges and The Momentary, as well as experts from across the country joining in as thought partners, the cohort of six learned the essential foundations of curating. The result of this program is a series of art exhibitions, events, runway shows, performances and a printed publication featuring the work of 50 local artists.

“This program is one of a kind in Arkansas,” says INTERFORM CEO, Robin Wallis Atkinson, “as it is the first program that specifically focuses on training curatorial talent. Our goal is to empower more cultural producers who can expand opportunities across the community. We see the addition of curatorial skills to the local landscape as a step toward democratizing access to exhibitions and cultural opportunities.”

The exhibitions will be free and open to the public, with galleries open for the entire month of June in Downtown Springdale. Visiting hours will be Thursday-Saturday 10:00AM-6:00PM. A special events calendar will be available online at https://interform.art/assembly.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

ASSEMBLY: The Kickoff / May 29, 2021 / 11 AM-10 PM

The opening event for this month-long series of shows and events will start at 11 AM in Shiloh Square with a partnership between INTERFORM and NWA Girl Gang. NWA Girl Gang’s Maker’s Market (11:00AM-4:00PM) will host artisans from across the region. Throughout the day, there will be pop-up performances, public painting projects, VIP tours through the art exhibitions, music showcases and gatherings, all culminating in the EMERGE Designer Runway set to begin at 6 PM.

This event is still under development and additional details will be made public as they are available. Please stay tuned at interform.art/assembly for additional details.

EMERGE: The Runway / May 29, 2021 / 6 PM

Kicking off this month-long series of exhibitions is a runway show down the center of Emma Ave on May 29th. This runway event will highlight the first season the EMERGE Designer Residency program, with shows by: 22nd Element (Bruce Davis), Big Sister (Brandy Lee), Framed in Fashion (Kathleen Schwarz), Klothed:31 (Kerrie Aaron), Off the Record (Sarah Phillips), Elizabeth (Elizabeth Koerner), Argelia (Argelia Swaffar), Exclusive the Label (Alicia Crayton), Crystal La’Shay (Crystal Hamilton), Richie Clark (Shamirra Clark), and Madame L, LaTasha Cobler.

Under the leadership of Robin Wallis Atkinson, Interform CEO, the six young curators leading INTERFORM Assembly are:

  • Omar Bravo – Self-taught artist in drawing, digital art, painting, screen printing and sewing
  • Coco Lashar – Junior Designer at Archetype Productions
  • Preston Poindexter – Interform Programming Coordinator and Lead Young
  • Curator for Assembly
  • Marcella Rojas-Perez – Artist and long-time community member of this region
  • Evelyn Sosa – Creative Director of Art and Cultural Programming at The
  • Teen Action & Support Center
  • Jess Whalen – Filmmaker and Storytelling strategist at Jessica Whalen Film

ASSEMBLY: THE SHOWS (June 1 – June 30)

INTERFORM HEADQUARTERS – 117 W Emma Ave
Marshallese Fashion & Apparel Pop-Up Organized + ASSEMBLY Information Desk – Organized by Fei Debrum and Basana Chhetri

214 by CACHE / 214 S. Main Street
Optical Synergy – Curated by Evelyn Sosa
Artists: NUGZ / Eel Eye

Flow Curated by Marcela Perez
Artists: Maximiliano Calabotta / Jesse Johnson / Jacob Skinner / Orlo

(A)Typical Sanctuary – Curated by Omar Bravo
Artists: EARL / Goop World / Print Gurl / Nuubeum / Athulu / Kara Chanhthala

Arkansas & Missouri Railroad / 306 E Emma Ave
Solo Show: Junli Song – Curated by Robin Wallis Atkinson

Black Apple / 321 E Emma Ave
Garden of Heathens – Curated by Preston Poindexter
Artists: Lee Shaw / Macy Sews / Flower to da People

Engles & Völker / 101 W Johnson Ave, Suite C
Fragmented – Curated by Coco Lashar
Artists: Damned 2 Divine / Jesse Johnson / Taylor Loftin / Stephanie Petet

First Security Bank, 2nd Floor / 100 W. Emma Ave
Yes. And…. – Curated by Robin Wallis Atkinson
Artists: Amber Perrodin / Marcela Perez / Kayla Andrus / Ashtone Dixon / Melissa Loney / Rumwolf / Blue Brasher / Omar Bravo / Shelby Fleming / Brody Parrish Craig / Coco Lashar / Stacy Pants / Bxmbi / Evelyn Sosa / Tay Butler / Cheryl Kellar / Jess Whalen / Trinity Kai / Leah Grant / Jonathan Perrodin / Live Deliciously / Junli Song / Lucerro Aguirre / Kathy Thompson

Perrodin Supply Co. / 126 N Shiloh Street
HER – Curated by Jess Whalen
Artists: Danielle Hatch / Kennedie Daniel / Jenn Terrell / Lucero Aguirre / Kellie Lehr / Robyn Jordan

R. McClintock / 105 S. Spring Street
Collaboration: Rachel McClintock & Heather Younger Morton

Shiloh Museum of Ozark History / 118 W Johnson Ave
Solo Show: Madison Woods – Curated by Preston Poindexter

Shiloh Square / 106 W Emma Ave
Solo Show: Cory Perry – Organized by The Little Craft Show

The Station (TASC) / 610 E Emma Ave
Collaboratory Project – Curated by Evelyn Sosa & Marcela Perez
Artists: Olivia Patterson / Orlo / TASC Teens

About INTERFORM
INTERFORM is a 501c3 Non-profit organization at the forefront of creative growth and change in our community. We envision a self-sustaining design-led fashion and art industry in Northwest Arkansas and we build robust programs to directly support that vision. We foster greater levels of creativity and provide the right education and resources needed to grow our designers and artists. We uplift and center the creative works of those who are underrepresented and use our platform to encourage others to do the same. We are here to propel creatives forward and aid in their professional journey.

Tags