John Gaudin and Corky Patton have flown under the radar for so many years. THEY are the visionaries responsible for the amazing transformation of the North Little Rock Argenta District into the welcoming community arts space it has become. The Argenta Arts District celebrates Arkansas artists and the creative and diverse spirit of community that makes the Arkansas art scene special.

AAS: How did you guys get started collecting art?

J&C: I (John) grew up in South Louisiana and have a very talented older sister Syl, who is an artist. I also had a wonderful art teacher named Valerie Haaga in high school. My interest in the visual arts has always been part of my life. When Corky and I met in 1989 it was the peak of the AIDS crisis in Arkansas. Friends Rickey Medlock and Scott Heffington were art collectors and worked with many local artists to do art auctions to raise money for AIDS services. They recruited us to help and that afforded us the opportunity to meet many local artists who were donating their talents to the cause. We slowly started collecting and lo and behold 30 years later we have 2 homes and an office packed floor to ceiling with art.

AAS: What are some of your favorite pieces?

J&C: We bought a Mark Blaney piece that’s in our living room and get to enjoy it every day. We’ve been fortunate to travel and have enjoyed collecting from our travels. We bought an Icon in Italy from an Iconographer who was restoring a lot of the antique icons in the Basilica and churches in Rome. I was writing Icon’s myself and was fortunate enough to spend time with him and learn some gold embossing techniques. I used his techniques in the commission I received to do the Crucifix over the Altar along with three Icons at the Subiaco Monastery’s Chapel. We started attending art festivals in the 90’s with friends Joe van den Heuval and Ted Holder and have a number of pieces we cherish from those trips. Hanging over our bed is one of our favorite paintings by David Harouni from New Orleans. Lately, we’ve been collecting collage artist Meikel Church. Our newest acquisition is a piece by Cate Burton.

AAS: How do you determine which pieces to acquire?

J&C: We have been very fortunate to have similar tastes. We almost always agree on the art we select.

AAS: Tell me about your work in the Argenta Arts District?

J&C: In or around 2004 we moved from West Little Rock to the Historic Argenta district in North Little Rock. We set about with several partners to redevelop downtown around the notion that ART is an economic development engine for communities. We recruited the THEA Foundation, the Argenta Community Theater, The Joint and a number of galleries to our Main Street corridor. We developed a 20 year Master Plan that included the beautiful Argenta Plaza that opened in 2020. We set up a downtown organization that has a focus on a Clean, Green and Safe environment. Our 20,000 plus tulips blooming every spring really sets the backdrop for our 3rd Friday Art Walks and Argenta Farmers Market.

AAS: How have you and the Argenta Arts District done during the Pandemic of 2020?

J&C: The year started out with a real Bang for us. We enjoyed our two most attended Art Walks with 400 plus people walking in the 4-block area. We had nine venue’s participating in the Art Walk in January and February and were gearing up for a huge year when the virus hit. Not only was the Art Walks cancelled but also all performing arts venues were shuddered. I produce the story telling program Potluck and Poison Ivy and co-produce the Argenta Acoustic Music Series and Jazz at the Joint. All three of them were shut down as well. Fortunately, I had been working on the Argenta Mural Project when the virus hit so I shifted my energy and focus to it.

AAS: The Mural Project is a spectacular accomplishment! How did this come about?

J&C: In late 2019 I was approached by a building owner about helping to get a mural on their building. I wondered how many other owners would also have an interest in a mural. Well, I found out there were a bunch. I’m on the board of the Mid America Arts Alliance and was very familiar with the idea of Public Art as a significant part of Place Making. As a board member I was able to bring Artist INC, a professional development program for working artists, to Argenta for three separate cohorts. I was able to meet and get to know some of Arkansas’ most talented artists. After much discussion and research, I chose to build an Artist Cooperative of Central Arkansas artists instead of the traditional call for artists for the mural project.
I asked twelve artists who’s styles I thought would translate well to murals even though most had never done a mural before. The requirement was that they work together on the project, learn about the history and culture of Argenta and translate the building owner’s desires to paintings we could all be proud of. Nine of the twelve artists decided to take on the challenge and I am proud to say that nine murals have been completed in 2020 and an additional three public art sculptures all in a 4-block area. The visual artists who participated are Kevin Kresse, Robin Tucker, Perrion Hurd, Meikel Church, Nancy Jordan, Jose Hernandez, Jessica Jones, Angela Johnson and Emily Wood. The sculptures are by Maritza Cornejo Bean and Terry Bean.

AAS: How did the City and/or residents react to the mural project?

J&C: We are very fortunate to have Mayor Joe Smith and a progressive City Council that values investing in the arts to create great places. Our North Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau also realizes the value of public art when they are recruiting visitors and tourists to the City. Our residents recognize that the arts are leading the downtown turnaround and take great pride in the vibe that’s been created.

AAS: What’s the future hold for you and the Argenta Arts District?

J&C: In 2021 we will continue with a number of new murals and public art. And God willing, we will be back to enjoying the Art Walks, the music and theatrical venues, Farmer’s Market and the latest and greatest the Argenta Outdoor Dining district every Friday and Saturday night.

AAS: Thank you guys for all you’ve done for the art scene in Central Arkansas.