In a significant milestone for the arts in Arkansas, the Arkansas Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts (ACNMWA) has published a commemorative book marking its 35th anniversary. Founded in 1989 by visionary leaders Helen Walton, of Bentonville, and Ed Dell Wortz, of Fort Smith, the Committee has spent more than three decades supporting women artists from across the state and amplifying their voices on a national stage.
The anniversary publication offers a rich historical timeline of the Committee’s formation, growth and lasting impact. It also celebrates the work of more than 200 Arkansas women artists who have been honored by the Committee’s activities and exhibitions, 15 Arkansas women artists who have exhibited at the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) in Washington, D.C., and showcases the Committee’s signature programs—Artist Award, Internship, Juried Artist Registry and Women to Watch series.
“As we celebrate 35 years of advocating for Arkansas women in the arts, this publication is more than a history book,” said Demara Titzer, ACNMWA president. “It’s a tribute to the vision, passion and perseverance of the women who have shaped the Committee since 1989. From our founding members to our current volunteers, their unwavering commitment has created transformative opportunities for women artists across the state. We are especially grateful to the 35th Anniversary Committee, whose thoughtful leadership and support brought our celebration to life through special events in Bentonville, Jonesboro, El Dorado and Little Rock in 2024. Their work helped shine a light on the incredible legacy of this organization and the artists we serve.”
The book was written and edited by Committee member Kate Faust Franks, whose mother, Betty Faust, of Helena, was a founding member of the Committee. The Committee will provide copies of the book to public libraries and art museums across the state.
An electronic version of the book and a link to order hardback copies of the book, along with galleries of featured Arkansas women artists, are available here.
A Legacy Rooted in Advocacy and Equity
The Arkansas Committee’s history is inseparable from the broader mission of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the first museum in the world solely dedicated to recognizing the achievements of women artists. Founded in 1981 by Wilhelmina (Billie) Holladay and her husband, Wallace F. Holladay, NMWA was born from the recognition that women artists were vastly underrepresented in major art institutions.
In 1988, Mrs. Holladay invited Walton and Wortz to Washington, D.C., to visit the museum and introduced the idea of extending NMWA’s reach through state committees. Inspired, the two women brought the concept back to Arkansas, gathering like-minded supporters from across the state. On March 21, 1989, the Arkansas Committee held its inaugural meeting, planting the seeds of what would become one of the museum’s most active and enduring state affiliates.
The Committee was structured to reach artists in every corner of Arkansas. The state was divided into regional districts to ensure that not only urban centers, but also rural communities, were included in the Committee’s outreach. “We were the first to organize in this fashion,” Walton noted. “We felt that each district needed to find and cultivate its own artists.”
This approach led to an inclusive and grassroots-driven model that has endured to this day, bringing statewide visibility to women artists and providing opportunities for exhibitions, recognition, and professional development.
Programs that Make a Difference
Over the years, ACNMWA has developed a range of impactful initiatives. The Artist Award program honors outstanding Arkansas women artists and provides financial support and exhibition opportunities. The Internship Program supports emerging professionals in the arts, helping launch careers in museums and cultural institutions.
The Juried Artist Registry offers Arkansas artists ongoing visibility, while Women to Watch, a biennial exhibition series, gives artists the opportunity to exhibit their work at NMWA in Washington, D.C., alongside other artists from around the world.
These programs reflect the Committee’s mission to highlight the accomplishments of Arkansas women artists and share the groundbreaking work of the Museum in Washington, D.C., with a statewide audience.
Looking Forward with Purpose
As the Committee reflects on 35 years of progress, it remains grounded in the belief that gender should never be a barrier to artistic recognition. “We look forward to a future when the work of artists will be recognized not by gender, but by quality,” Helen Walton wrote in 1992, a vision that continues to guide the organization.
Today, the Arkansas Committee is still led by dedicated volunteers and continues to support and celebrate Arkansas women artists in collaboration with NMWA. The new commemorative book stands as a testament to their enduring commitment and an invitation to future generations to carry the torch.
Founded in 1989, ACNMWA is a nonprofit volunteer organization that highlights the accomplishments of Arkansas women artists and shares the groundbreaking work of the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) in Washington, D.C., with a statewide audience. For more information, visit acnmwa.org. For more information on NMWA, visit nmwa.org.