Interactive Art
Interactive Art at Conway Art Walk: Where Participation Becomes the Art
On the first Friday of each month, downtown Conway transforms into an arts festival. With thousands of attendees, local artists, and immersive experiences, the event has become a cornerstone of Conway’s growing creative culture.
This month, Downtown became a canvas. Among the most memorable features are its interactive installations: Kat Wilson’s #SelfieThrone, the Little Photo Booth, and Lindsey Whitting’s paint-by-numbers mural.
Becoming the Artwork: #SelfieThrone
At the center of the interactive experience is the #SelfieThrone and the idea of Party Art by Kat Wilson. “The foundation of Party Art is that the artistic vision is brought to life through engaging a diverse group of participants in an act of art,” according to the Arkansas-based artist. The #SelfieThrone is an installation that took root with Kat Wilson’s Habitat portrait series and began to flourish in evolution during the COVID pandemic. “From the beginning, I was like, oh, man, I need to do something for the community while we're all stuck inside. What a perfect opportunity to do Habitats at home. So I basically made some easy directions for people so they could understand the formula of Habitat, which is where #SelfieThrone started, you know, and that's how it came up with my party art definition.”
When collaborating with UCA students, Kat had only a couple of hours with each class at a time and proposed the Art Walk theme of “Science + Art” to them. After numerous proposals of double helixes and rockets, Kat quipped, “Listen, this doesn't make me want to party.” Once a final design was determined, it was off to the races. Kat explained, “There's really not much spontaneity involved. That one was kind of spontaneous with the students, but I kind of overall did know what I was going to do. I thought the one [at the] Conway Art Walk looked fantastic. And then the wind and stuff blowing makes it sparkle and it gets dark, it's totally different in the light shining when it gives a different vibe, and the confetti makes everybody feel like a star for a minute.”
Participants are invited to pose, party, and photograph themselves, transforming a simple act into a moment of self-expression and celebration. The result is both personal and communal: each photo is an individual story, but together they form a collective portrait of the Art Walk itself.
In a festival environment, it breaks down barriers, encouraging people of all ages to engage, laugh, and create.
Capturing the Moment: LittlePhotoBooth
The LittlePhotoBooth captures the energy of the evening. On Chestnut Street in Creative Cove, the LittlePhotoBooth was set up to provide you all with something to take home. Check out some photos and look out for them at the next art walk!
Painting Together: Lindsey Whitting’s Community Mural
Lindsey Whitting’s paint-by-numbers mural builds something lasting. Designed as a large-scale collaborative piece, the mural invited attendees to pick up a brush and fill in designated sections. What began as a numbered outline gradually transforms over the course of the evening into a vibrant, finished artwork. The process is just as meaningful as the final result. Strangers work side by side, families create together, and participants can physically see their impact take shape in real time.
This installation embodies the essence of community-driven art. It’s about participation, connection, and co-creation. Kick off summer break with color, creativity, and community, and be part of something that grows with every brushstroke.
Why Interactive Art Matters
Interactive installations like these are a defining feature of the Conway Art Walk. They shift the role of the audience from passive observer to active participant, making art more inclusive and memorable.
This approach aligns with the broader mission behind the event: to build community, support creatives, and position Conway as a vibrant cultural destination.
By inviting people to sit, snap, paint, and play, the Art Walk creates an environment where creativity feels accessible to everyone. It’s not just about viewing art. It’s about experiencing it firsthand.
Step Into the Experience
Whether you’re taking your place at a throne, squeezing tight between friends for a quick pic, or adding a brushstroke to a mural, the interactive installations at the Conway Art Walk offer something simple but powerful: a chance to be part of the art itself.
And that’s what keeps people coming back—month after month—not just to see what’s new, but to create something new together.
