Heart of America Artists' Association presents 

Painting the Arkansas Parks

Step into the vibrant beauty of Arkansas’ state and national parks through this extraordinary collection of artworks! A statewide touring exhibition, Painting the Arkansas Parks invites museum visitors to immerse themselves in the harmony of art and nature. Guided by programming offered by the Heart of America Artists’ Association, painters sketched at parks in each of Arkansas’ five major geographic regions, from the historic trails of Washinton State Park to the tranquil waters of Cane Creek. Each finished painting, paired with its original plein air study, celebrates the unique landscapes and rich cultural heritage of the Natural State.

On display in Trinity Gallery for Arkansas Artists from October 9 through January 2027

OPENING SOON

Colonial Arkansas at the Poste aux Arks

This exhibit focuses on how the lives of Indigenous people and the Europeans who settled near the confluence of the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers were deeply intertwined. As early as 1673, the story of colonial Arkansas was already one of interdependence – even the word “Arkansas” reflects Marquette and Joliet’s understanding of this land as the home of the Quapaw tribe, who were called the Akansea or Arks by the French.

Though their interests were sometimes at odds, French (and then Spanish) colonists and Native people relied on one another for trade in remote areas and to defend themselves against common enemies. Over time, their interactions profoundly influenced each other and permanently altered the development of Arkansas’ land, people, cultures and places.

Colonial Arkansas at the Poste aux Arks opens in the Study Gallery on Nov. 13, 2026 and will be on display through Summer 2028.

Doris WmSon Mapes: A Force of Nature

Catch a mini-exhibit featuring a collection of paintings by celebrated “mixed-watermediaist” Doris WmSon Mapes (1920-2013). Forever pushing conventional artistic boundaries, Doris combined watercolor with acrylic, gouache, casein, and other materials in pursuit of bold, colorful compositions. With a personality as big and bright as her paintings, Doris was well known for her charisma and influence. Among her many achievements, in 1970 Mapes co-founded the Mid-Southern Watercolorists (MSW) association and served as its first president. Thanks to her daughter, Kay Caffey, Doris WmSon Mapes’s creative legacy will be preserved by HAM and shared with visitors for generations to come.

A Force of Nature opens Dec. 12, 2025 and will be on display on the 2nd Floor Landing through Oct. 2026.

Kuimeaux’s World 

Little Rock native Dwight “Kuimeaux” (pronounced KEY-moe) Drennan surrounded himself with beauty of his own making. In Kuimeaux’s world, fantasy and reality merge: groves of bright pink cypress trees festooned with silvery strands of Spanish moss are set against a deep purple sky. Kuimeaux’s drawings and paintings are bold, busy and intense — his depictions of beloved Southern landscapes are simultaneously wistful and emotionally charged.  

Though Kuimeaux gained regional recognition early in his career, he didn’t achieve commercial success. Kuimeaux Drennan was a prolific maker, and after his death in 2022, his friends came together to preserve his creative legacy. This exhibition is part of that effort as well as an opportunity to share his unique vision of the places he held dear. 

Kuimeaux’s World opens Nov. 14 in the Worthen Arkansas Made Gallery and will be on display through late 2027.

Collecting Arkansas Made

Collecting Arkansas Made is a multi-year exhibition that shares some of the exceptional Arkansas Made objects added to the museum’s collection between 2018-2023. These ‘new-to-us’ acquisitions include items that form the foundation of the museum’s historical collection—19th century furniture, miniature portraits, pottery, firearms and quilts—plus fine and decorative arts from the 20th century and objects made by artists and artisans who are pushing the boundaries of contemporary craft.

Many of the pieces on display will be switched out at regular intervals, so follow HAM’s Facebook and Instagram pages for updates and deep-dives!

Sturgis Children’s Gallery

When Historic Arkansas Museum’s Knife Gallery opened in 2001, it was the first gallery in the country dedicated to the history of the bowie knife and the forged blade in America. The recently updated gallery stays true to its roots, with plenty of information about Arkansas knifemaker James Black and the 200-year evolution of “a knife like Bowie’s.” Over 50 remarkable blades are on display, including the famous Bowie No. 1 (c. 1830). Visitors will be captivated by modern bowies and the historical knives that inspired them, plus a selection of exceptional contemporary custom knives made by master bladesmiths.