ARTx3 Campus to host July activities

The ARTx3 Campus announces activities for July including the Live@5 concert, Small Works on Paper exhibition and a Hip-Hop Camp.

Live@5: Platinum Hitz — July 5

Patrons are invited to get into the swing with R&B and jazz band Platinum Hitz from 5-7 p.m. July 5, set to perform at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas’s Catherine M. Bellamy stage, 701 S. Main St.

Entry is $5 for ARTx3 members and $10 for nonmembers. Guests must be 21 or older. Complimentary alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks and snacks are provided by the Live@5 sponsor, MK Distributors.

The long-running Live@5 concert series is home to live jazz, blues and rock & roll at 5 p.m. on the first Friday of each month, according to a news release.

Small Works on Paper — July 5-26

The ARTx3 Campus will host the 37th annual Small Works on Paper exhibition from July 5-26 at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas. The exhibition is organized and sponsored by the Arkansas Arts Council.

Southeast Arkansas artists selected for this year’s exhibition include Matthew Howard, Kimiara Johnson and Alexia Lams, all of Pine Bluff, and Crystal Jennings of Rison.

The display showcases two-dimensional artwork no larger than 18-by-24 inches, and spotlights artists who are members of the Arkansas Artist Registry. Small Works on Paper will travel to nine venues throughout the state in this year-long show.

The entries were juried by Laura Blereau, curator of exhibitions at the Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane University in New Orleans. Out of more than 200 submissions, 40 artworks and 39 artists from across Arkansas were selected.

Hip-Hop Camp — July 8-12

Epiphany “Big Piph” Morrow will help teens harness the energy of hip-hop and rap to transform their feelings and struggles into lyrics. Through the beats and rhymes of this genre, participants will discover the art of articulating and working through heightened emotions, according to the release.

This camp is from 9 a.m. to noon Monday-Friday, July 8-12. It is for ages 12-17, with a maximum capacity of 15 students. Through the ARTx3 Campus’s Adopt-A-Camper drive, parents or guardians who submit a scholarship form may have the cost of the camp waived, which is $100 for ARTx3 members and $120 for nonmembers.

Support for this camp is provided by a Kenneth Reams Arts for Justice Grant. Further support is provided by the West Foundation and individual Adopt-A-Camper donors. Details: Shakeelah Rahmaan at srahmaan@artx3.org or (870) 536-3375.

Poetry Camp — July 8-12

Jasmine Harris will lead this camp focusing on poetry and the spoken word, and how rhythm and rhymes can help develop a love of language. The workshop will teach campers about performance and delivery, and introduce skills to express themselves through poetry and to deepen understanding and appreciation of poems written by others.

This camp is from 1-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, July 8-12. It is for ages 12-17, with a maximum capacity of 15 students. Through the Adopt-A-Camper drive, parents or guardians who submit a scholarship form may have the cost of the camp waived, which is $100 for ARTx3 members and $120 for nonmembers.

Support for this camp is provided by a Kenneth Reams Arts for Justice Grant. Further support is provided by the West Foundation and individual Adopt-A-Camper donors. Details: Shakeelah Rahmaan at srahmaan@artx3.org or (870) 536-3375.

Movement and Agility with Lauren Robertson — July 12

The ARTx3 Campus delivers the community health-driven workshop Movement and Agility, led by exercise therapist Lauren Robertson. Designed for women ages 30 and older, this functional strength-building class aims to increase strength, mobility, balance, flexibility and confidence.

The workshop is from 11 a.m. to noon July 12 at The ARTSpace on Main, 623 S. Main St.

The cost is $15 for ARTx3 members and $20 for nonmembers, ages 30 and older. To register, visit artx3.org/all-events/movement-agility-july-2024 or call (870) 536-3375. Details: Bethany Gere at bgere@artx3.org or (870) 395-7059.

ART WORKS Presents: Comedic Relief — July 12

The ARTx3 Campus invites the community to a night of laughter from 6-8 p.m. July 12 at ART WORKS Presents: Comedic Relief. The event is at ART WORKS on Main, 627 S. Main St.

Attendees 16 and older can show off their comedic stylings during the open-mic section, and enjoy two sets by host The Frisco Kid.

Beer and wine will be available for purchase for patrons over the age of 21. Non-alcoholic drinks and snacks will also be available. Entry is $5 for ARTx3 members and $10 for nonmembers. Details: Shakeelah Rahmaan at srahmaan@artx3.org or (870) 536-3375.

Come Read, Sing, Dance, and Play with Me! — July 13

Ages 3-6 are invited to Come Read, Sing, Dance, and Play with Me! with Melanie Madkin from 11 a.m. to noon July 13 at the Arts & Science Center.

Madkin, of Ms. Madkin’s Literacy Program, aims to foster a love of the wonderful world of literacy in a quiet and nurturing environment with this monthly event, according to the release.

This event is free but registration is requested. To register, visit artx3.org/all-events/come-read-july-2024 or call (870) 536-3375. Details: Bethany Gere at bgere@artx3.org.

Family FunDay: Upcycle Books — July 13

Join the ARTx3 Campus for Second Saturday Family FunDay from 1-3 p.m. July 13, at the Arts & Science Center.

Participants will learn how to repurpose old books to create floating lanterns using books, yarn, twine and hot glue. All supplies are provided.

This workshop is for all ages and is free. Details: Shakeelah Rahmaan at srahmaan@artx3.org or (870) 536-3375.

Second Saturday Family FunDay is sponsored by the Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation, an affiliate office of the Arkansas Community Foundation Inc.

Women’s Self-Defense with FloEssence — July 20

Taekwondo Black Belt instructor Florence “FloEssence” Love will lead a women’s self-defense class from 1:30-3 p.m. July 20 at the ARTSpace on Main, 623 S. Main St. The cost is $5 minimum, $15 recommended. The class is open to ages 13 and older.

This engaging martial arts class will provide effective noble techniques, empowering women with greater confidence, self-awareness and protection from physical threats.

Details: Bethany Gere at bgere@artx3.org. To register, visit artx3.org/all-events/yoga-july-2024 or call (870) 395-7059. This event is sponsored by Angela White Smith — with eXp Realty.

Game on Main — July 27

Youth are invited to Game on Main from 1-3 p.m. July 27 at The ARTSpace on Main, 623 S. Main St. This free, drop-in event is for students in fifth through 12th grades.

Teens can engage in games, tackle homework and explore the world of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics). From epic gaming sessions to hands-on experiences with 3D printing, this monthly workshop offers a unique fusion of entertainment and education, according to the release. Details: Bethany Gere at bgere@artx3.org or (870) 395-7059.

Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical — July 19-21; July 26-28

Tickets are available for the ARTx3 Campus’s production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical. Performances are 7:30 p.m. July 19-20 and July 26-27, and 2 p.m. July 21 and July 28, in the Catherine M. Bellamy Theater at the Arts & Science Center. This production is sponsored by Simmons Bank.

“Matilda is the story of an extraordinary little girl with extraordinary powers. The daughter of abusive parents, she finds refuge in library books and, in turn, creates her own stories. Things are no better at school, where Matilda must also face the cruel headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. Brave little Matilda knows she has to stand up against the adults in her world, and in doing so, discovers her remarkable powers,” according to a synopsis.

The cast includes Addie Ashcraft, Isaiah Austin, Emily Burris, Allison Carraway, Mary Conley, Langston Cosner, Hayven Darrough, Addison Dean, Rory Earnest-Lake, Susan Harris, Lily Jennings, Rosalie Kline, Brandt Lunsford, Heather Lunsford, Avery M. Martin, Keiren Minter, Parker Richards, KC Rowland, Sawyer Terry, Raymond Wallace and Teanna Williams.

This production is directed by Bethany Gere with musical direction by Melody Gere, choreography by Grace McKissic and stage management by Kayla Earnest. With a script by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical is adapted from Dahl’s novel Matilda.

This show is appropriate for all ages. Tickets are $20 for members and seniors (ages 65 and older) and $25 for nonmembers. They may be purchased at artx3.org/theater, by calling (870) 536-3375, or in person. For more information, contact Lindsey Collins at lcollins@artx3.org.