Collage by Edward Haddock

Live - New York City's Eagle Ager performed at The Scene in July with props made from recycled trash.

   Granted, “underground” and North Little Rock seldom fit in the same sentence. But The Scene and its Friday night art parties provided that feeling in its six-month stay on Main Street in the Argenta Historical District.

   “(The Scene) attracts all kinds of people,” Argenta Coffee Co. owner Jeri Warlick said. “The art is all fresh, all raw. It’s a place where people can come and experiment without shelling out a lot of money or the pretense of walking into a gallery. It’s a venue for up and coming artists, established artists like Kevin Kresse and people off the street. You have everybody mixed in there.”

   Warlick described The Scene as a social phenomenon comparable to the River Market. North Little Rock’s Brian Converse said The Scene provides an outlet previously lacking on the north shore of the Arkansas River .

   “A lot of people my age, in their late 30s, they’re sick of clubs and sick of the bars. There’s no place to go that’s different. There’s nothing new out there,” he said. “This is new and you can participate. Within five minutes of walking in the door, you can be painting and sculpting. You can bring a guitar and play with the band, or just be a voyeur and watch everybody. It’s just a funky mix of artists and a place for them to hang out Friday nights.”

Courtesy of The Art Scene

Jammin' - Jerry Colburn (on drums) and Charles James (right) of the Bloodless Cooties perform April 28 at The Scene.

   “You had to be an artist to understand that,” Jacksonville photographer Ed Haddock said. “It was one of the craziest nights we’ve had there that I’ve seen.”

   As a private enterprise, The Scene occasionally closed to the public for events benefiting local entities. Converse described a Thursday night benefit by a local performance art group that provided more than the usual visual entertainment.

   “A lot of invited guests came to a sit-down dinner to view the art organized as an art gallery with tables,” he said. “(An actress) dressed up like Cinderella and hung from a swing chair from the ceiling and her husband was in a leotard holding a fishbowl. She would drop eggs from between her legs and he would catch them in the fishbowl. It was a spectacle and that’s what we needed.”

   While that spectacle may not suit everyone’s tastes, the enormity of The Scene provides a spectacle in and of itself. Warlick vividly recalled the most interesting thing she’s seen at The Scene.

   “Two hundred-plus people at one time painting live models, every level of talent, little kids finger painting,” she said. “It’s just amazing to be in there with all that creativity at one time.”

   A whole community hopes that creativity will eventually provide a tourist destination in Argenta to rival that of the aforementioned underground scenes.

   “The Scene is the Mecca of North Little Rock, a place that will change ideas, values and opinions of art,” Haddock said. “It’s a place to kick back with friends, meet strangers and experience something new.”

Courtesy of The Art Scene

Pottery - John Rogers throws a pot at The Scene.

   An interior and lighting designer for 25 years, Little Rock native John Rogers makes a living creating and coordinating spectacles, including the first Arkansas Sculpture Invitational Show & Sale in April 2006 and the 25^th Arkansas Heritage Month’s all-day event April 26 in Little Rock . His interior design and redesigns can be seen in Little Rock airport’s Adina Coffee, Baptist Hospital’s Medical Tower’s pharmacy, several branches of OneBanc and the former Vermillion’s in west Little Rock. His lighting design can be seen in the Capitol Hotel remodel and in special effects lighting on the pedestrian bicycle bridge over the Arkansas River , which is scheduled to open in September.

   While working on his interior design degree at Louisiana Tech in the 1970s, Rogers dreamed of living in a community of artists that creatively supported and inspired emerging and under recognized artists by providing exhibition and performance opportunities. He helped Little Rock artist Patrick Cunningham revive the centuries-old idea of art parties in the early 1990s at Cunningham’s house. Local artists hung out, hired a band, pitched in and paid a model so they could paint. The parties gave Rogers the idea for what would become The Scene; he only needed space.

   Residing across the street from North Little Rock ’s City Hall, the building at Broadway and Main Streets occupies a prime spot for the New Argenta Fund LLC, a private developer that owns 15 properties on the trolley route represented by V3 properties. In November 2005, New Argenta Fund’s John Gaudin provided part of the old dealership there that also housed Galaxy Furniture’s stock at no charge to ACAC, the local nonprofit organization. Rogers supplied movable walls and lights for the annual fund-raiser for artists.

   Rather than move everything back to a warehouse, Rogers asked Gaudin if he could keep the materials there permanently for art shows. Gaudin agreed to not only provide space, but also refused to charge rent or utilities. So Rogers started hosting The Scene’s Friday night art parties – but it still cost money.

   Rogers dished out more than $1,000 a month to provide art films, models, libations, a band, paint and sculpting materials, including brushes, palettes and art boards in 8-by-10,  18-by-24, 24-by-30 and 30-by-42 inch pieces. However, he did not charge people to participate.

   “It’s like a private party by invitation only. When you come in, you sign to show you’re invited by The Scene,” Rogers said. “Most people are given cards in different clubs, different bars; people pick them up. There’s no charge at the door, no charge for entertainment. The only method of income is by donations or selling art.”

   However, not enough pieces sold to support The Scene, a fact Rogers attributes to both creating and selling only on Friday nights. He said he did not make any money while open from February to July 2006. If the financial situation didn’t deter Rogers , he could be excused if other factors did.

Courtesy of The Art Scene

Modeling - Artists paint model Laurie Howard.

   New Argenta Fund planned to demolish the building at Broadway and Main Streets in early August to make room for the expected three-story Argenta Place, which will house six condominiums, office space and two restaurants, including Cregeen’s Irish Pub, known for serving Guiness on draught. With the deadline looming and the heat increasing in mid-July, Rogers decided to close until after Labor Day. 

   “It’s too hot too, so I decided to shut down to give me time to move and not wait until the last minute,” he said.

   The Scene will re-open under a new name, The Art Scene, Oct. 1 at Broadway and Maple Streets, formerly the home of Rye Furniture Store ( 201 Maple St .). Though the move is not permanent, the approximately 45,000 square foot facility will allow The Art Scene to create an arts district with amenities (e.g. air conditioning). Other plans include:

•  Studio space averaging 10-by-12 feet, workshop spaces for two- and three-dimensional works, and enclosed fabrication spaces approximately 20-by-30 feet for rent to artists, including painters, sculptors and musicians. While costs have not yet been determined, Rogers said fees will remain low enough that they will not impede artists’ use of the space
• Booths approximately 8-by-10 feet with two walls and locks. The booths will remain open seven days a week to sell work fabricated in the state by artistic Arkansans, i.e. if an artist did not create the item, it cannot be sold. 
• The Art Scene’s Art Gallery , which will feature juried art. At the previous location, only  works created at The Scene were sold. While works created at The Scene will continue to remain on site for sale for a month, The Scene’s Art Gallery will provide additional space to sell works by current emerging artists and established artists like Cunningham, Kresse, Tanya Hollifield, Jeff Waddle, Leeann Smoot, Mary Cockrill and Eric Freeman. The Scene only takes a 25 percent commission on sold works.

   Converse became involved while looking for an office in North Little Rock ’s Argenta Historical District. His company, Kharma Consulting Inc., provides free Web design and hosting for The Art Scene. Though thesceneonline.org has only been online a few months, he said the Web site generates traffic Thursdays and Fridays as people log on to find out what’s going on.

   Converse plans to also provide an online presence for artists to sell their wares at ArgentaGallery.com. The Argenta Gallery will feature quality emerging artists with limited or only local exposure in any media type, not only mixed media but also independent film and independent music. Rogers said Converse can easily input information about artists and works appearing in The Art Scene’s Art Gallery , providing both online and physical promotion.

    Rogers said plans include providing physical space for Argenta Gallery at The Scene. Plans also include moving his business, John Rogers Design, into the new building. This would allow his employees to keep The Art Scene open to sell art during the week. He said a receptionist/floor manager will assist tourists viewing artists creating artwork or looking at the art gallery.

   “We’re trying to become like a farmer’s market for artists only,” Rogers said.

Courtesy of The Art Scene

Movies - The Art Scene's theater room shows films.

   The famed Friday night art parties will remain free of charge, held in a divided area of the building with its own entrance. Rogers notes the parties provide an environment conducive to experimentation and cross-disciplinary explorations in sculpting, performance, avant garde films, live music and plays. That won’t change.

   “You don’t want to make it a fancy place,” Rogers said. “We want to keep a funky environment. If you try to dress it up, you’ll lose the spirit of the place. It’s very important to me to keep its Bohemian flavor.”

   Yes, The Art Scene provides donated wine or beer to patrons. Haddock claims rather than anarchy, enough structure exists to provide a safe atmosphere while still being free and promoting artistic expression. Patrons must provide identification showing they’re 21 to receive a hand stamp to drink. While events catering to the 18- to 21-year-old crowd will be properly monitored, Rogers will not allow anyone under 18 to enter unless accompanied by parents. He said several parents with children relax, paint and draw with their children, who are also painting and drawing.

   “One of the most moving things I’ve seen at The Scene is a father placing his baby on the floor and placing a canvas in front of her leaning against an easel, hands her two brushes and a palette of paint, and she in such an innocent way starts dipping her brushes in the paint and applying it to the canvas while musicians are jamming and people are painting and drawing a model,” Rogers said. “It was beautiful. It was very moving. That’s the spirit of it. The spirit of The Scene is all about creativity.”

   Creativity helped when panhandlers strayed from the spirit by stealing the donation box on two separate occasions (taking $100 one night and $300 the second time).  Rogers designed a donation box requiring a screw gun to access the money. Though he promises to ban access to anyone with a screw gun, Rogers will not ban the unfortunate.

   “I think it’s very important for the police to control people who are panhandling because it’s there,” he said. “You know what? They’re welcome to The Scene as long as they don’t panhandle. I’ve had homeless people come in and become a model, pick up a harmonica and play music or start drawing. They should not be denied any of the pleasures of anyone invited to The Scene.”

   Argenta Coffee Co. benefits from the late-night business of customers leaving The Art Scene, where Warlick occasionally participates. She notes her athletic husband Mike does not come to the area for art or music, but he still enjoys the area’s restaurants and bars.

Courtesy of The Art Scene

Painting - Dominique Simmons paints at The Art Scene.

   Danny Bradley, chief of North Little Rock ’s Police Department, repeats Warlick’s assertion about vagrants, noting that although North Little Rock does not have a vagrancy law, authorities have taken an assertive role to control people creating nuisances and violating laws.

   “The police department will do what it takes to keep that area attractive, where people will feel comfortable going day or night,” he said.

Beyond The Art Scene

   An acting “board of directors,” which includes Rogers , Gaudin, Converse and T.J. Deeter, planned seminars, art forums, special events and workshops to reach beyond the physical walls of The Art Scene and into the community.

    Rogers received commitments to provide painting and drawing workshops from established artists like Kresse and Kathy Strause, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock ’s artist-in-residence whose work can be viewed at Gallery 26 and at katherinestrause.com. A 15-year professional painter and sculptor with work shown in Atlanta , New York and Washington , D.C. and sold at Gallery 26 and at kevinkresse.com, Kresse will teach at The Art Scene after having taught for 12 years at the Arkansas Arts Center .

   “ Arkansas is rich in artistic talent and this venture will help bring public awareness to that fact,” Kresse responded to Rogers . “It’s nice to know that the value artists give to a community’s culture and economics is being recognized.”

   With both paid and community-outreach ventures, the workshops drew praise and promises of help from community leaders. Bob Rhoads, director of North Little Rock ’s Parks and Recreation Department, promised in an April 7 letter to work closely on youth programs, promote workshops and possibly provide space and logistical support at community centers, and provide transportation for workshops and activities held in the Argenta Historical District for jointly sponsored programs.”

   Mark Webre, interim director of Little Rock ’s Parks and Recreation Department, offered April 14 to host workshops at community centers and to cross-promote programs to the public. Charley Baxter, director of North Little Rock ’s Patrick Henry Hays Senior Citizen’s Center, said in an April 13 letter that the community outreach programs would complement existing classes and programs. He suggested a partnership where the center would:

• place program ads on bulletin boards
• administer sign-up sheets for the programs
• coordinate tours of the Main Street area
• participate in other partnership ventures with Main Street Argenta program

   Rogers is already working with Main Street Argenta’s Michael Drake to get city permits for mid-September or October to allow artists to create, and sell their artwork on both sides of Main Street from the 300 to the 700 block on the second Friday every month, with artwork showing in vacant buildings, all controlled by The Art Scene.

   In essence, what started as a Friday night art party has grown into the idea of developing a North Little Rock art district. Gaudin said the Argenta Historical District always wanted to be recognized as an arts and entertainment area, but Rogers notes cooperation between government and commercial entities may finally allow the idea to come to fruition.

   “What you’re going to have is private investors and a city that will actually subsidize the artist. Their goal is for us to develop property that the city, state and federal grants will basically subsidize studio living space to keep the artists on Main Street . There will eventually be a building that will accommodate artists, just like the original Kramer School concept of low-cost living studio space for artists to work with gallery space,” Rogers said. “I truly believe it will happen. They’re already showing it. If a private developer wasn’t subsidizing the concept, we wouldn’t have The (Art) Scene.”

   Subsidies often come with strings. While artistic works created at The Art Scene hover near the cutting edge, Rogers realizes The Art Scene must be careful of offending the city and private developers.

   “You want to be on the cutting edge, but you don’t want to do anything that would offend anybody, particularly because you’re asking for support,” he said. “You want to be avant garde, but don’t want to lose the support of the city.”

Changing The Art Scene

    Rogers claims developers and consultants note the need to subsidize artists so they have a place to work and create art that will bring tourist dollars to the city. As tourists come, property values go up. Though only in the area for six months, Rogers contends people will recognize something different in North Little Rock .

   His enthusiasm is catching.

   “We want to turn this whole area into an artist district, where you’ve got your bars, your coffee shop and your art galleries and eclectic shops,” Converse said. “It’d be something you’d want to get off the trolley and visit. ( Rogers has) just drawn a lot of us because it’s fun. It’s fun to be around and John just kind of draws you into his vision. I guess you could say he makes a compelling case.”

   Gaudin and Rogers express hope that grants will cover costs once The Art Scene proves to be a viable entity. Rogers foresees a board that would run the venture. He may be on that board, but even if not, he envisions great things for the arts in Argenta.

Photo by Ronald Sitton

Advertising? - A homemade billboard invites Main Street passersby to visit The Art Scene.

   Haddock claims The Art Scene provides the most culture he’s seen at a North Little Rock location.

   “I’d like to see the Argenta district support each other to look for the infrastructure to support this,” he said. “ North Little Rock doesn’t have anything but liquor, art and coffee down here. The more you can put inside the city the better.”

   The question becomes where to put things. Rogers wants to move to a permanent location at 7^th and Main , but Gaudin proposed other plans.

   “John will be in that space for a couple of years until we build a more permanent space for them,” Gaudin said. “We’re thinking about moving him to a number of different spots. I think he’ll end up in the New Argenta Town Center , which will be closer to Alltel Arena.”

   The area’s growth means even the police substation will move from Main Street over to Broadway temporarily, but Bradley said plans call for the substation to eventually return to Main .

   “The police will continue to have a presence down there as the area becomes busier and busier. I’d love to see people down there every night, and I think you will in time. I think the artist community will add to that,” he said.

   Bradley commented on the tremendous change in downtown North Little Rock over the previous five years, then predicted the next half-decade will bring even more change.

   “The area is safe now compared to 10 years ago,” he said. “Now there’s Alltel Arena and the baseball park is going up. You need a draw down there to bring people. I think (The Art Scene) would be one component.”

   Gaudin said The Art Scene fits with the eclectic, urban feel of the Argenta Historical District.

   “I’m a believer in the arts and what the arts can do in the town,” he said. “We are trying to create an arts district. It’s time has kind of come for that area.”

    Rogers promotes The Art Scene as a vision whose time has come. He’s been dreaming about this since college. His financial stability keeps him committed to his dream, or better yet, his mission.

   “If I can’t afford to do it, then it will stop,” he said. “But I think that we’ve experienced the financial slump that we’ve been in to keep this afloat; we’re changing that. The (Art) Scene is not about money, but about truly starting an art district and get it to take off enough so that the city will support the concept of subsidizing artists for them to make a living.”

For more information:

Argenta Place http://site342.mysite4now.com/wigwomtech/argentaplace.aspx

Argenta Square http://site342.mysite4now.com/wigwomtech/argentasquare.aspx

Guinness Pub Concept http://www.irishpubconcept.com/

Kharma Consulting Technology Solutions www.kharmaconsulting.net

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