Little Rock Art Galleries, Museums, Supplies & More

Best art galleries Little Rock museums supplies classes your area

We are all about to dive deep into everything about art in Little Rock and our opening section will fully cover the best art galleries and museums near you.

Up next we will discuss a variety of other topics like local art supply stores, events, festivals, dealers, appraisers, walking tours, sculptures and statues, art classes, studios for rent, and the top frame shops in your area.

If you are searching for any specific section you can jump straight to it by using the table of contents on the left and we will also be sharing a Little Rock art map with all of the various venues we mention throughout the post pinned on it.

Plus you can read more of our Midwest creativity guides at that link if you want.

Best Art Galleries & Museums In Little Rock

When want to visit the best art galleries and museums in Little Rock head to:

The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts is open from 10am to 6pm Tuesday through Friday and until 4pm on Saturday providing a one-of-a-kind experiences to appreciate, learn about, and connect with the visual and performing arts. The 14,000-piece collection of the museum is primarily recognized for its drawings and paintings and some of you may know it by its former name the Arkansas Art Center.

Gallery 26 is open from 10am to 5pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday and has been representing some of Central Arkansas’ most cutting-edge and imaginative artists for over twenty years while also providing personalized and do-it-yourself frame services near you.

Original paintings, drawings, sculpture, and glasswork, as well as an ever-changing variety of one-of-a-kind artisan jewelry are on display at Gallery 221 from 8:30am to 5:30pm Monday through Friday and 11am to 4pm on Saturday. You can take a private tour of their 2nd floor art galleries after touring the main gallery which includes the Gino Hollander Gallery that has exclusive authorized representation in Arkansas and The Collectors Gallery which features investment level work curated from private collections. On most days one or more local artists will be working in their studio on the second floor.

M2 Gallery is open from 10am to 5pm Tuesday through Saturday and takes pleasure in getting to know its customers and offers art sales, bespoke framing, and installation services in your area.

There are five art galleries at The Galleries & Bookstore at Library Square that are open from 10am to 5pm Tuesday through Saturday including a retail gallery that showcase Arkansas artists’ work and show works relevant to the state. The exhibition galleries feature works from the Central Arkansas Library System’s permanent collection as well as changing exhibits.

A group of skilled local artists that sell original artwork founded The Art Group Gallery which is open from 11am to 5pm Monday through Saturday and starting at 1pm on Sunday. Paintings in oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, pastel, and batik as well as pottery and glass are available plus they have a working studio that is open seven days a week and it is also possible to organize private art courses in addition to observing artists at work.

Barry Thomas Fine Art & Studio opened in 2016 and acts as a studio, classroom, and gallery for a community of artists and students from 10am to 5pm Tuesday through Saturday. Barry selects natural components to create one-of-a-kind works of art and the studio is full of new and imaginative lessons.

Three projects are administered statewide at Thea Foundation which are Thea Scholarships, Art Closet, and Arts Reconstruction and they have made significant progress in fighting for the relevance of the arts in the development of Arkansas’ kids for two decades.

Baum Gallery is a modest space on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas that hosts shows by local artists and they are open from 10am to 5pm Monday through Friday.

Materials & Supplies Near You

To buy new materials or supplies you can visit art stores like:

In 1997 ART Outfitters was founded as a physical artist supply store run by locals employing people from the area and outfitting creators to the best of their abilities.

You’re probably already familiar with what chain stores like Michaels, Joann, and Hobby Lobby have to offer.

Shows & Events

Some of the best Little Rock art shows, events, and festivals are:

Pops on the River is a free out-and-out family event that takes place every year on July 4th where spectacular pyrotechnics, delectable cuisines, and foot-tapping music are all part of the celebrations. It holds the distinction of being the city’s largest Independence Day celebration as every year more than 30,000 people show up and even the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra will perform.

Each September the Yadaloo Music & Arts Festival in your area takes place on the banks of the Arkansas River in North Little Rock where a dog park, a kid zone, a VIP tent, food, beer, games, and fun activities for all ages will all be available.

A fun five-day event where you will find live performances, art education programs, exhibits, events, and training from national and local performers and artists is what you can expect from The ACANSA Arts Festival which promotes and exposes regional arts while encouraging people to appreciate them.

Families from all across the state are just some of the 400,000 people that take part in the Arkansas State Fair which lasts ten days each October. The fair offers a variety of educational and recreational options for people of all ages highlighting the state’s strengths in categories like technology, the arts, livestock, and agriculture. Expect to find a carnival midway, a rodeo, a cattle show, and numerous live musical performers.

We included the 2nd Friday Art Night in the upcoming art walks section but it certainly deserves a mention here too.

Art Dealers & Appraisers

You can buy something new or learn the current value of works in your collection at these art dealers and appraisers near you:

Hearne Fine Art has grown into a vibrant conduit for the preservation and development of African-American fine art and the gallery has grown from humble beginnings to become a pillar within its artistic community.

J. Carman is one of the premier independent art consultancy and assessment organizations in the Mid-South. Jennifer Carman who is an Accredited Senior Appraiser works independently of any auction house, dealer, or gallery allowing her to provide objective and discreet valuation services and advise on the acquisition or disposal of fine and decorative art free of potential conflicts of interest.

GTFA specializes in navigating the art market’s intricacies and assisting customers in developing connoisseurship in the purchasing and selling process while also specializing in key creators from the Southern, Modern, and Contemporary art movements.

Walking Tours

Some of the best areas to walk around outside and see some unique art can be found at:

At 2nd Friday Art Night several entities band together and host an after-hours art night every second Friday of the month. Regular hosts include the Historic Arkansas Museum, Old State House Museum, Central Arkansas Library System’s Bookstore, and Galleries at Library Square as each month provides new themes and exhibits for people to explore completely free of charge.

The ADC promotes new enterprises, tourism, and a high quality of life in the community while offering a variety of activities, a wide selection of local dining options, entertainment, and the arts as a result of their community’s growth.

Sculptures & Statues

Framing art supply stores Little Rock lessons near you studios

Another good way to enjoy nice weather would be to check out some of these statues and sculptures in your area:

  • Vogel-Schwartz Sculpture Garden at Arkansas River Trail
  • Sculpture in Riverfront Park at 400 President Clinton Ave
  • Finton Shaw’s Metal Sculpture Garden at 5080 Hwy 64, Conway
  • Outdoor Public Sculpture in UCA at 201 Donaghey Ave, Conway

Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden is located in Riverfront Park and Leland Couch and Mark Webre developed the Garden’s natural terraces and paths.

Sculpture in Riverfront Park offers a variety of public works of art as well as access to various local history museums and attractions plus breathtaking and calming views of the Arkansas River.

Finton Shaw’s Metal Sculpture Garden near you can be found at the late metal artist’s remote studio. Shaw had been working on a 9.5-foot-tall sculpture of boy Bill Clinton and a man named “Momo” since 2006 in addition to his scrap metal masterpieces which are still spread about the property.

The Outdoor Public Art collection can be seen across the university grounds and it was either commissioned by the institution or given to them as a gift by the creators and two of them were given to the museum as memorials.

Little Rock Art Classes

Whether you are trying to find lessons for kids, teens, or adults some of the best Little Rock art schools and classes can be found at:

South Main Creative provide high-quality items as well as outstanding customer service in a pleasant and welcoming environment. Silkscreening, gilding, knitting, needle felting, and the ever-popular sewing are just a few of the fascinating art, craft, and DIY workshops available.

Home to Arkansas’ only Splatter Cave Southern Studio hosts private events, delivers take and makes, and more.

Everyone can benefit from A Different Stroke of Art’s stimulating, calming, and entertaining art workshops in your area. Beginner’s painting art classes, children and teen classes, social painting classes, private art lessons, birthday parties, and private events and parties are just some of the classes available.

Art lessons, parties, and professional face painting all take place at Matthews Studios which a fine arts school.

Board & Brush Creative Studio is a place where you can learn how to make exciting and distinctive wood decor projects from scratch while having fun with an instructor.

Painting With a Twist is a creative night out where talented local painters guide you through a painting and offer all of the equipment but you are welcome to bring food and beverages to round out the celebration. Birthdays, girls’ nights out, date nights, bachelorette celebrations, and business gatherings are all great options.

Pinot’s Palette hosts painting and wine-tasting activities and their paint parties are a unique way to celebrate all of life’s significant occasions from date nights to birthdays and bachelorette parties or even if the occasion is simply called Friday. It is fair to say those last two lessons are a bit more casual than some of the others but that doesn’t mean you won’t learn a thing or two.

Barry Thomas Fine Art & Studio from our best museums in Little Rock list is another good place for local art classes.

Studios For Rent Near You

You can try to rent studio space at Ruth Pasquine Fine Art Studio at 600 N Olive Street who specializes in paintings of the Tibetan Deities, Hindu Deities, pastels, and other prints.

Art Group Gallery, Barry Thomas Fine Art & Studio, and Gallery 221 also might have studio space available.

Framing

Some of the most highly recommended places to go for local art framing are:

Pyramid Art & Custom Framing provides a wide range of reading, reference, and art books as well as conservation framing and hanging services as they have evolved into a group of companies dedicated to educate collectors on how to guard their art investment.

Louie’s Unique Framing and Gallery has four decades of experience in creating high-end custom framing and artwork plus a broad collection of unique works by local and international artists are also available.

Custom framing and shadow boxes for mementos, prints, paintings, needlework, mirrors, photos, and more are the specialties of BA Framer who employs top-of-the-line materials to protect your most valuable and treasured possessions.

Since 1987 BK Moulding has been a trusted Arkansas moulding and mat distributor to the trade while retail and commercial bespoke framing are also available.

The Red Door Gallery specializes in hand-picked contemporary artists and young British designers’ art prints, jewelry, homewares, and one-of-a-kind gifts.

Pictures Et Cetera is great for complete conservation framing and features Arkansas’ most prominent painters.

M2 Gallery and Gallery 26 from the first list also do quality framing in your area.

Just so you know we have also written about:

Have Fun Enjoying The Little Rock Art Scene

We tried to cover the full art scene near you as well as we could. We listed the best galleries, museums, events, shows, supply stores, dealers, appraisers, walking tours, sculptures, classes, studios, and framers in your area.

Those that made it all the way to the end probably love the local art as much as we do. You can let us know about any of your own tips and tricks in the comments at the end of the post, or please also let us know if we got anything wrong or if anything we posted has become dated.

Have fun going to the galleries, museums, buying supplies, or doing anything that has to do with art in Little Rock!

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This post and all of the posts on our site are edited by Dan Soloman who has been a huge fan of art since he was a little kid. His mother was a good local artist, and she taught him the trade from a very early age. He studied art and its history in both high school and college, has worked at multiple galleries, and recently has begun creating and editing online content for this site and some other online media platforms.

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