The University of Central Arkansas announces “One for the Books,” a unique, community-wide celebration of the art of books, to be held on Friday, April 4, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will take place in downtown Conway at Oak and Chestnut Streets, in conjunction with Conway’s monthly Art Walk—a vibrant arts and entertainment festival coordinated by Create Conway.
“One for the Books” will showcase the creativity, craftsmanship, and storytelling that books represent, while also honoring the 25th anniversary of the UCA Artists in Residence program. As part of the celebration, the event will welcome San Antonio-based book artist Keri Miki-Lani Schroeder to Conway.
“One goal of Conway Art Walk is to create opportunities for folks to interact with and learn from local artists. Our city comprises a wealth of creative talent and resources and, partnering with UCA, allows us to bring even more arts access to our community,” said Jennie McNulty, Conway Art Walk program director.
Gayle Seymour, associate dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at UCA, stated, “UCA and Create Conway are proud to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the UCA Artists in Residence program at Art Walk, honoring its legacy by welcoming book artist Keri Miki-Lani Schroeder to Conway, where creativity and community have flourished for a quarter century.”
This free, family-friendly event offers an opportunity to explore books in new and creative ways, while celebrating the arts and the rich culture of downtown Conway. Visitors will have the chance to interact with local authors and participate in papermaking, paper marbling, paper arts demonstrations, and more. Events will include:
- 3:45-4:45 p.m.: Reception for Participating Authors
Rogue Roundabout, 804 Chestnut Street, Conway
Sponsored by Pyramid Art, Books, and Custom Framing. - 5–8 p.m.: Children’s Author Book Fair
The Studio Downtown, 1100 Oak Street, Conway
Meet and interact with local children’s authors, including Brenda Pierce Bowles, Debra Davis, Maria Hoskins, Kafi Hunter, Karsyn Hunter, Tiara Marie, Nadia McKoy, Wesley Peters, Meyonsha Riddles Stewart, and Sabrina Wilson, among others. - 5–8 p.m.: Adult Author Book Fair
Espresso at Evergreen, 1022 Oak Street, Conway
Meet and engage with local adult authors, including Melissa Bacon, Michael Blanchard, Jennifer Case, Jeff Condran, Jim Fowler, Adele Holmes, Heather Hummel, Stacey Margaret Jones, Sandy Longhorn, Angie Macri, Boyce Pearson, Jay Ruud, T.L. Simpson, Frank Thurmond, John Vanderslice, Stephanie Vanderslice, and Erin Wood. - 5–8 p.m.: Pop-Up Exhibit by Book Artist Keri Miki-Lani Schroeder
Espresso at Evergreen, 1022 Oak Street, Conway
Enjoy a pop-up exhibit of Keri Miki-Lani Schroeder’s artist’s books. Schroeder, an artist-in-residence at UCA, is a book artist whose works are held in prominent collections, including UC Berkeley, Harvard, and The British Library in London. - 6–6:20 p.m. and 7–7:20 p.m.: Gallery Talk by Keri Miki-Lani Schroeder
Espresso at Evergreen, 1022 Oak Street, Conway
Schroeder will give two 20-minute presentations on her work, as part of the Central Arkansas Collective’s monthly lecture series. - 5–8 p.m.: Immersive Book Experience
1103 Oak Street, Conway
Experience an immersive installation based on the children’s book The Lovely Fruit Fairies by Conway resident Faye Hedera. This interactive display features large-scale illustrations, lighting, music, and life-size vignettes made by local artists. - 5–8 p.m.: Hands-On Paper Making
Creative Cove
Join UCA art professor Holly Laws for hands-on instruction in paper making and colorful pulp painting, which are the essence of book creation. - 5–8 p.m.: Hands-On Paper Marbling
Creative Cove
Learn the art of paper marbling from Little Rock artist Necla Unal, with examples of antique books featuring marbleized endpapers. - 5–8 p.m.: Book Crawl
Start at the Creative Cove. Multiple venues along Oak Street
Attendees will pick up a Zine field guide for a literary-themed Book Crawl with prizes. Attendees will collect stamps from participating businesses, which can be redeemed for a free book at The Knowledge Bug Bookmobile. - 5–8 p.m.: The Knowledge Bug Bookmobile
Creative Cove
In celebration of National Bookmobile Day (April 9), The Knowledge Bug Bookmobile will offer free books by local authors to attendees who complete the Book Crawl. - 5–8 p.m.: Papel Picado
Creative Cove
Join members of the Conway Alliance for the Arts to learn how to make the traditional Mexican art of papel picado (perforated paper). Morrilton High School students will also be on site to display their literary-themed papel picado garlands. - 5–8 p.m.: Shakespeare Activity
Oak Street
The Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre will facilitate hands-on Shakespeare activities. - 5–8 p.m.: Pop-Up Tattoo Shop
Creative Cove
Join the artists of The Black Hare tattoo studio, who, like authors, deal in ink, for special literary-themed, temporary tattoos created just for this event. - 5–8 p.m.: Live Music
Electric Alley
Outreach Educational Activity:
April 18, 9:30-11 a.m.: Papermaking Workshop
Independent Living Services
Led by Professor Holly Laws, this workshop will teach participants the process of making paper from scratch.
Conway Art Walk and its regional community partners are making a lasting impact on the community, attracting visitors, supporting local businesses, and creating valuable opportunities for artists and creative entrepreneurs. Typical Art Walks attract visitors from 44 different zip codes, involve more than 60 participating artists and musicians, and create an estimated economic impact of $200,000 for local businesses and the community.
This event offers accessible parking after 5 p.m. at US Bank, 1122 Van Ronkle Street. Accessible restrooms are located at The Studio Downtown, 1100 Oak Street and at Espresso at Evergreen, 1022 Oak Street. For more information about the event and for an accessibility guide, visit https://www.createconway.com/home#conwayartwalk.
This project is supported by grants from the Arkansas Arts Council and the UCA Foundation. Additional support comes from the UCA Artists in Residence program, funded by the UCA Arts Fee, and from Artists in Residence sponsors Engage Management and Pyramid Art, Books, and Custom Framing.
