Art Alley is one of the newest projects within the Think ART Project. This initiative allows artists the opportunity to paint a section of a local downtown alley.

Art Alley is located just west of the court square in downtown Searcy and is a space where amateur and professional artists alike can display their artistic abilities on the walls of an old alley.

“Searcy does not have an abundance of cultural features right now and this is one that’s new,” Mat Faulkner, owner of Think Idea Studio and member of the Think ART Project committee said. “It’s a way for local artists to represent themselves and the culture they see, which will change over time since it’s an ever-changing project.”

There have been a number of Harding students and alumni who have contributed to the work in the alley these last few months.

Photo by Ryann Heim

“I really liked the experience because I felt like it brought people together,” junior Meredith Palmer said. “I got to talk to a lot of new people and work on a project I haven’t worked on before. I have done things of that scale before, but it was on glass and not on something with that texture, which was fun and a learning experience.”

Art Alley is meant to bring people of the community and tourists together in one spot. The art in the alley is always changing due to a three-month time limit which is meant to keep things fun and new for the town.

On the first Friday of every month, local artists fill the alleyway to paint live. There is live music, food vendors and people walking around watching the artists paint away.

Harding graduate and Art Alley artist, Taylor O’Dell, thrives during the live painting sessions.

“The atmosphere is like no other. There are so many people walking around watching you paint which is fun because people will ask you questions about your work and it just creates a great environment,” O’Dell said. “I think having new art in the alley is a great way to keep things new and exciting in Searcy without being over the top.”

The next live painting is today at 6:30 p.m. in Art Alley, across from Sowell’s Furniture in downtown Searcy.