Arts center hires new director, plans 40th anniversary
RUSSELLVILLE — The River Valley Arts Center is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Among those planning the celebration is Kim Hon, the center’s new executive director.
“I was hired in June 2020,” said Hon, 45. “I had worked as an administrative assistant here for two years. Sometime after that, they called me and asked me if I would be on the board of directors, and I said, ‘Sure.’ And not long after that, they asked me if I would become the new executive director.
“I said, ‘Sure, why not?’ Hon said, laughing.
Hon grew up in Hector and is a 1993 graduate of Hector High School. She attended Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and received an Associate of Arts degree in general studies with an emphasis in education and art in 2017.
“Most of my working career has been that of an administrative assistant … and a mom,” she said.
“As our new director, Kim brings to the Arts Center a hardworking and friendly attitude,” said Libby Caston, president of the River Valley Arts Center Board of Directors. “The COVID-19 shutdown found her putting together a virtual silent auction, plus virtual gallery shows monthly by various artists. This has brought a lot of hits/likes on social media.
“She smiles and giggles, working hard on all the future events. Those events include Beaux Arts in May, pARTy in the Park in June and, to wrap up the year, a Masquerade New Year’s Eve event. All of this is in celebration of 40 years of bringing art to the River Valley community.”
The Arkansas River Valley Arts Center Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit, which began in 1981 with a June planning meeting, a $5,000 grant from the Junior Auxiliary and commitments from community leaders for more than $10,000. The Arts Center officially opened its doors to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an all-day celebration on Oct. 7, 1981, in a borrowed building on West Main Street.
After three years, the borrowed building was sold, and the Arts Center needed a new home. The city of Russellville agreed to lease the rock building built by the Works Progress Administration in 1936, which had formerly been the public pool bathhouse in the city park. The Arts Center is still in that 1936 building, which has undergone some remodeling.
Hon said the River Valley Arts Center was closed for several months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re open now for three days a week,” she said. “We are here from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. People can drop in at any time during those hours and look at anything we have on display.”
Among the center’s signature events this year are the following:
The Beaux Arts Awards ceremony will be presented at 5 p.m. May 1.
The event will be virtual and will be presented live on the center’s Facebook page. Honorees include Valerie Enchelmayer, Lifetime Award; Janet Wiley, Patron Award; Lisa Jones, Visual Art Award; Jason Campbell, Performing Arts Award; and Winston Taylor, Service Appreciation Award.
The pARTy in the Park event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 12 at the River Valley Arts Center, 1001 E. B St. in Russellville. The festivities are free and open to the public and will feature crafts, food, fun and games. Jason Campbell will present a live concert at 5:30 p.m.
There will be a Masquerade Ball on New Year’s Eve at All Saints Episcopal Church in Russellville. This will be a ticketed event. The time and ticket prices will be announced later.
A variety of art exhibitions have been scheduled, as well, throughout the year. They include the High School Art Competition, opening April 10; Works by Steve Duzan, opening May 8; Works by the Lemley House Art Guild, opening June 5; Works by Meikel Church, opening July 3; the River Valley Invitational, opening Aug. 7; Works by Aaron Calvert and his wife, Summer Brook, opening Sept. 11; Works by RVAC Classes, opening Oct. 2; and Works by John Porter Lasater, opening Nov. 6. All opening receptions will be presented virtually from 5:30-7 p.m., except the Lasater-exhibit opening, which will take place at 3 p.m.
Hon said the Arts Center also displays artworks at Lake Dardanelle on a monthly basis.
The Arts Center offers a variety of classes, including pottery, watercolor, oil painting and photography. Kids Summer Arts Camps will take place July 7-30.
“We have a board of directors, with most of the people being new,” Hon said. Serving with board president Caston are David Coffman, vice president; Sheri McCullah, secretary; Karen Bagwell, treasurer; and board members Toni Bachman, Lillian Green, Roy McSpadden and Sherry Tinerella.
“We also have a new administrative assistant, Tracy Lusk, and a new artist-inresidence, Soyoon Ahn,” Hon said, adding that both of these are paid positions.
“I am so thankful for the board and for the staff,” Hon said.
Hon is also an artist and an author.
“I draw, do oil paintings and watercolor paintings,” she said. “I also do epoxy and alcohol ink on canvas. … This makes really bright colors.”
She is the author of a children’s book, “The Adventures of Suzee Soup.”
“It’s about a little girl detective,” Hon said. “I hope to write another book someday.”
Hon and her husband, Cailem Hon, were married in 1993 and moved to Russellville that same year. Cailem is from the Russellville area. The couple have one daughter, Lacey Coates, 26. Lacey and her husband, Daniel Coates, have a 2 1/2-yearold daughter, Emmalynn.
In her spare time, Kim Hon enjoys reading and recreational traveling, she said.
“As executive director of the River Valley Arts Center, I hope I can make a difference,” Hon said. “I want to open people’s eyes to art and culture.”
The River Valley Arts Center is at 1001 E. B St. in Russellville. For more information, call (479)-968-2452 or email rvartscenter@gmail.com. Information is also available on Facebook and www.rivervalleyartscenter.org.