Civic panel sets interviews
The Civic Auditorium Complex Commission will hold a called meeting at 1 p.m. Thursday to conduct interviews for the executive director’s position of the Pine Bluff Convention Center. This is a closed session and will not be recorded, according to a news release.
Back-to-school bash set
Shekinah Glory Global Ministries, 1800 W. 73rd Ave., will have a drive-through back-to-school giveaway July 27 from 10 a.m. until supplies are distributed.
The child must attend the bash to receive supplies. Items will include backpacks for pre-k through 12th grade, supplies and food, according to a news release.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
LIHEAP to begin taking applications
Starting July 8, on a first-come first served basis, residential households can apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through the network community-based action agencies that serve the county where they live.
The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas released a statement Monday reminding Arkansans that this financial assistance for their electricity bills will soon be available.
LIHEAP – a federal block grant program – is designed to lower the energy burden from low-income households, who pay a high proportion of household income for home energy costs, by paying benefits for home energy bills. The program assists households with both heating costs during the winter and cooling costs during the summer.
Arkansas LIHEAP offers two types of benefit payments:
Regular: A one-time payment based on the household income and the number of household members.
Crisis: A one-time payment if you are facing disconnection, have a past due balance or the bill is prepaid for less than seven days.
Households can find a location to apply for LIHEAP at https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/energy/assistance/caad.aspx.
Humphrey center to host pro-life camp
Camp Joshua, a pro-life camp for students ages 13-19, is set for July 26-28 at CrossHeirs Retreat Center in Humphrey.
The camp is designed to train students to be effective pro-life leaders and covers all the basics of pro-life issues in classes and hands-on workshops, according to a news release.
Students visit the State Capitol, participate in interactive games, connect with pro-life leaders, have refreshments and hang out with friends from around Arkansas.
“Camp Joshua is a great place for students to learn the basics of abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia in a comfortable environment with experienced speakers,” said Rose Mimms, executive director of Arkansas Right to Life, which sponsors the camp. “Camp Joshua is a big hit with students not only because it is informative, but features great food, fellowship, and fun.”
Camp registration is open and space is limited to 25 students. Some scholarships are available. Details: CampJoshuaAR.org or (501) 663-4237.
Small Works to open in Pine Bluff
The Arkansas Arts Council’s annual touring visual arts exhibition, Small Works on Paper, will open on July 5 at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St.
The artwork will be on view through July 26. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
The following area artists have artwork included in the exhibition: Matthew Howard, Kimiara Johnson and Alexia Lams, all of Pine Bluff and Crystal Jennings of Rison.
Work by six artists was selected as purchase awards and will become part of the Small Works on Paper permanent collection. The artists receive cash awards that are equivalent to the value of their artwork. Artwork by the following artists were selected: Ryan Howard of Little Rock; Milan Jilka of Springdale; Alexia Lams of Pine Bluff; Madeline McMahan of Paragould; Vianny Nolasco of Rogers; and Sondra Strong of Bryant.
Now in its 37th year, the exhibition spotlights Arkansas artists who are members of the Arkansas Artist Registry, an online gallery maintained by the Arkansas Arts Council. The 2024 tour features 39 artists from across Arkansas and will make stops at nine venues statewide. Most works will be available for sale with all proceeds benefiting the artists, according to a news release.
This year’s Small Works on Paper entries were juried by Laura Blereau, curator at Tulane University in New Orleans, La. Blereau reviewed more than 200 entries to select the 40 pieces that are part of the exhibition.
Participating artists are:
Matthew Howard, Pine Bluff.
Kimiara Johnson, Pine Bluff.
Alexia Lams, Pine Bluff.
Crystal Jennings, Rison.
Ebony Blevins, Little Rock.
Judith Beale, Jacksonville.
Maria Botti Villegas, El Dorado.
Jane Bonady Brackin, West Memphis.
Jojo Buchmann, Little Rock.
Catherine Burton, Little Rock.
Aaron Calvert, Russellville.
Tami Chandler, Jonesboro.
Brian Cormack, Little Rock.
Laura Dowling, Little Rock.
Terra Fondriest, St. Joe.
Vince Griffin, North Little Rock.
Jeri Hillis, Hot Springs National Park.
Ryan Howard, Little Rock.
Milan Jilka, Springdale.
Adrianna Kimble-Ray, Jacksonville.
Lisa Krannichfeld, Little Rock.
Kellie Lehr, Bentonville.
Madeline McMahan, Paragould.
Vianny Nolasco, Rogers.
Y. Hope Osborn, Little Rock.
Joy Noir Phillips, Hindsville.
Laura Raborn, Little Rock.
David Rackley, Russellville.
Kasten Searles, Little Rock.
Trevor Segraves, Siloam Springs.
Dominique Simmons, Little Rock.
Derek Slagle, Little Rock.
Sondra Strong, Bryant.
Cathy Wester, Conway.
Evernus Williams, Searcy.
Mark Wittig, Sherwood.
Emily Wood, Little Rock.
Terry Wright, Little Rock.
Anna Zusman, Magnolia.