What is an Arts Activation?
They exist in every city- vacant, abandoned places that appear neglected and forgotten. Whether they be empty storefronts downtown or an overgrown parking lot, dormant areas communicate a lack of attention and care which, at best, are overlooked and unnoticed or, at worst, actively drive visitors away. As part of its mission to amplify Conway as a destination for arts, culture, and entertainment, Create Conway is tackling this issue by transforming Conway’s dormant spaces into thriving community gathering hubs. An Arts Activation is the transformation of an empty space into a bustling, community gathering place using the power of art.
Arts Activation can be indoor or outdoor. It can activate a space temporarily, like a pop-up art exhibit, or permanently, like a new mural. Art Activations use all art forms to invite people to congregate: visual arts, live music, immersive experiences, and theater performances just to name a few. It’s more than just beautifying a neglected space, it’s about breathing life into a space, fostering community relationships, and sparking renewal and progress in a city. This new life attracts foot traffic and tourism, which leads to increased economic growth.
Before: Vacant Retail Space, Historic Downtown Conway
After: The Lovely Fruit Fairies Immersive Storybook Experience
In April of 2025, in partnership with University of Central Arkansas Foundation, Create Conway transformed a vacant retail space into an immersive art experience that combined literary arts, visuals displays, and live music. Based on the children’s book The Lovely Fruit Fairies by Conway author and artist Faye Hedera, Create Conway installed a walk-through art experience that brought the book to life. Guests were invited to explore the space, read larger-than-life pages from the book, and take photos in colorful, interactive installations built by local artists. The “enchanted forest” experience was made even more magical by the sounds of a local harpist and twinkling fairy lights throughout the space. This Arts Activation was open during Conway Art Walk, Create Conway’s largest community event, as well as Toad Suck Daze, an annual festival held annually in downtown Conway. What was once a dark, vacant storefront became an immersive art experience for a multi-generational audience.
Jimmy Paintz creates the Smiley Face mural in Historic Downtown Conway
In May of the same year, Create Conway facilitated the painting of a new outdoor mural in downtown Conway. Jimmy Pierce, aka Jimmy Paintz, a street artist from Los Angeles with hometown ties to Conway, prepped the dilapidated wall and covered it with his signature Smiley Face motif. The completion of the mural was celebrated with a launch party that made over the adjacent gravel lot into a community block party complete with lawn games, refreshments, music, and food trucks. Quickly, the space changed from an eyesore in the middle of town to what’s quickly becoming known as Conway’s “number one selfie spot.”
Local band Sycamore performs at Conway Art Walk in Electric Alley
For three years, Create Conway has activated an empty downtown alleyway with live music during the monthly Art Walk. Electric Alley, originally named for the expanse of electrical boxes along the West wall, is now known for the electric sounds of live music that fill the space on the first Friday of every month. For the evening, this forgotten alley becomes a stage for local musicians and an entertainment hub for Conway Art Walk attendees.
Through Arts Activation, Create Conway is improving the quality of place in Central Arkansas. Unique and exciting events attract people to Conway to live, work and play. Experiencing art with others, whether it be music, dancing, or visual displays, creates lasting memories and impressions that strengthens social bonds and improves community pride. With Arts Activation, Create Conway is utilizing Conway’s dead, dormant spaces and remaking them into thriving gathering hubs where all in the community are welcome.
