Johnny Cash Exhibit Explores American History Through Music
The Historic Dyess Colony, where Johnny Cash spent part of his youth, is launching a new exhibit called “Ragged Old Flag: Johnny Cash and the American Experience.” This display will open to the public on Monday and remain accessible until March 3. It will mark the nation’s 250th anniversary while exploring the ways in which Cash’s music reflects U.S. history. According to Will Reaves, the director at the site, the exhibit will connect Cash’s songs to American history using lyrics, photographs, and historical details. Entry fees are set at $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and military personnel with valid ID, and $10 for children 17 and younger. Admission is free for individuals holding an Arkansas State University ID and for children under five.
Art Market and Book Arts Exhibition
The Arkansas Museum of Fine Art is hosting its 2026 AMFA Art Market on September 12 and 13. Over 40 artists and galleries from various states—including Arkansas, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Tennessee, Arizona, Oklahoma, Illinois, North Carolina, and Georgia—are expected to participate. Visitors will encounter a broad array of artistic disciplines, such as painting, fiber art, sculpture, glass, ceramics, mixed media, wood, and printmaking. In addition, the museum’s Windgate Art School will present original works from its instructors, and local gallery owners will conduct discussions about framing, appraising, and insuring artwork.
Acadia Kandora, a printmaking professor at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, is representing Arkansas in the “Women to Watch 2027: A Book Arts Revolution” exhibition. This showcase delves into contemporary artists' books through the application of paper, printmaking, sculpture, and interdisciplinary media. Kandora has been selected as one of 16 artists from a group of 62 nominees chosen by national and international committees. The exhibition will be displayed through August 15 in Washington.
The AMFA Art Market will run for two days in September, with free entry for all attendees. Museum members are also invited to an exclusive preview on September 11, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information or a list of participants, visit the museum’s official website.
The exhibit at the Historic Dyess Colony is a key part of the celebrations marking the nation’s 250th birthday. As a site tied to Johnny Cash’s early life, the museum seeks to draw a clear link between his music and the broader story of American history.
Performing Arts Events and Concerts
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in North Little Rock will host three concerts as part of its Festival of the Senses performing arts series this fall. On September 29 at 7 p.m., the “Fantasies, Poems, and Folk Songs” concert will showcase pieces by Florence Price, Tan Dun, Gabriela Lena Frank, and Dmitri Shostakovich. On November 10 at 7 p.m., an event titled “A Pranksgiving Evening with Craig O’Neill” will take place, followed by a “Holiday Cheer” concert on December 13 at 4 p.m., featuring music from The Natural State Brass Band. Attendance is free, and most events will be livestreamed on Facebook at facebook.com/frcarey and later be available on the church’s website. For more information, contact (501) 753-3578 or email baxternan@aol.com.
Lightwire Theater’s touring show, “The Tortoise and the Hare — The Next Generation,” is scheduled to kick off the 2026-27 CHARTS Live performing arts series at the University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical University’s Center for Humanities and Arts Theater in North Little Rock. The performance will begin on September 24 at 7 p.m. Tickets cost between $10 and $25. The play updates Aesop’s classic tale by moving the narrative forward 10 years to a world where Tortoise and Hare are now parents with children, navigating a modern landscape defined by smartphones and video games. Future CHARTS Live events include a Natural State Brass Band performance on October 26 at 7 p.m. ($20), the Arkansas Music Awards on December 12 at 5 p.m. ($15-$20), and “The Art of Rejection” on February 11 at 6 p.m. ($15-$20), which explores the lessons and opportunities arising from professional failure and setbacks. On February 20 at 7 p.m., “Symphony After Dark” will feature an orchestra performing a variety of contemporary hits, cinematic works, and classics. Tickets for that event range from $25 to $30. On March 1 at 7 p.m., “Clifford the Big Red Dog: The Musical” will be presented ($10-$20), and on March 10 at 7 p.m., “Rhinestone Cowgirls: Legendary Ladies of Country Music” will pay tribute to artists including Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Martina McBride, and Carrie Underwood. Tickets for the tribute show are $20-$25.
Further details about the CHARTS Live series are available online. For additional questions, call (501) 812-2387. The Johnny Cash exhibit, the AMFA Art Market, and the CHARTS Live lineup reflect the wide range of cultural events available in Arkansas. These diverse offerings—from historical exhibitions to contemporary art markets and live performances—highlight the state’s dynamic arts scene and its role in shaping the national cultural narrative.
