The City of Arkadelphia and the Arkadelphia Festival of the Arts Planning Committee are bringing a new interactive element to the 2023 Arkadelphia Festival of the Arts (AFOTA): Youth art workshops.

On Saturday, October 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., festival coordinators will be hosting a series of free youth art workshops for area children to enjoy. The class schedule is as follows:

Festival coordinators will also be hosting a youth art workshop with Arkansas Circus Arts from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., as seen
above.

“The festival has always been a family-friendly event, but this is the first year we’re really catering something to the youth,” City Manager Gary Brinkley said. “We’ve got some great instructors lined up and we’re looking forward to see what everyone creates!”

Starting at 10:00 a.m., the Arkadelphia Little Theatre organization will be leading children ages 5 and up in a performing arts workshop. Children will be lead through basic acting exercises and end the workshop with a mini performance! Those interested in participating are asked to please arrive by 10:15 a.m. at the latest.

Michelle Eads of South AR Creations in Downtown Arkadelphia will be leading a paint workshop, also starting at 10:00 a.m. Area children are invited to come downtown and create a fun, fall masterpiece to take home with them! Children must be ages 3 and older to participate. Drop ins throughout the scheduled workshop are allowed.

Jason White of White’s Artworks will be back to create another community art piece at AFOTA23! White was featured at the 2022 AFOTA when he installed the city’s newest mural on the former Save-U-More building. This year, White is creating a community art piece to be displayed in the Recreation Center.

RELATED: Artist talks vision behind mural in downtown Arkadelphia

White will be opening up his makeshift studio to interested residents and children from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. During this workshop, White will guide residents through the design process and allow them to leave their mark on this project.

Children of all ages are invited to leave their mark on Downtown Arkadelphia by participating in the chalk workshop! Led by festival coordinators, sidewalk chalk will be accessible to children at AFOTA during the scheduled time.

Arkansas Circus Arts will be hosting the final youth art workshop at 4:00 p.m. Saturday. The talented performers will lead children ages 5 and up through a juggling and hula hoop workshop. Following the workshop, Arkansas Circus Arts will perform throughout the remainder of the festival.

All youth art workshops will be hosted in the northwest corner of the Town Square lot (intersection of Main and 8th Street). The youth art workshops are free to attend.