A digital rendering of the sculpture “Cambrata” by David Eaton. The work will be installed in the Upper Ramble in Fayetteville. | Photo credit: City of Fayetteville/Partwise LLC
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — At the city Fayetteville Arts Council meeting on Sept. 13, members debated the future of a donated artwork, approved a new interactive sculpture and reviewed strong community participation in local arts programs. The discussions highlighted the balance between preserving cultural value and managing resources while celebrating how residents continue to embrace the arts.
Artwork in Question
One major agenda item was a 2020 piece created during the pandemic as a symbol of hope. Students from Fayetteville middle and high schools contributed to the project, giving it cultural and educational value. But the artwork faces structural issues. Originally built from low-grade plywood, it has warped over time and its acrylic paint is peeling.
“The concern is whether this piece can survive in public display,” city council member Bob Stafford said.
Audio: Listen to reporter Ben Boudreau discuss his reporting process for this story, as he attended a Fayetteville Arts Council meeting and wrote a story about how public art shapes Fayetteville’s vision of itself.
The council explored options: reinforcing the piece with a custom frame, contracting a conservator or asking the artist to repair it. Costs and feasibility varied between the options, and with professional conservation, the process becomes even more expensive. Another idea was to repurpose the work by cutting it into smaller sections for display in different locations. The council voted to table the decision until they can inspect the piece in person and consult the artist.
New Public Sculpture
One of the few things the members unanimously voted on was a new interactive art structure for the Upper Ramble downtown called ‘The Cambrata,’ created by Seattle-based artist David Eaton. The winning proposal was chosen for its playful design, scale and fun colors. The sculpture itself is built with car-grade paint, made for durability with interchangeable pieces for easier maintenance.
The installation process will take six to nine months, moving through contract approval, insurance, engineering review and fabrication. Once complete, the sculpture will sit north of the well-known “orange squiggle” in the middle garden, visible from all sides of the park.
“The squiggle will lead you into the Cambrata sculpture,” arts council member Jessica DeBari said, emphasizing its role as a landmark.
The meeting also highlighted ongoing programs that continue to draw steady participation. “Plein Air Painting,” launched in May, has welcomed nearly 200 residents, with about a dozen painters at each session. A recent count showed 47 participants between mid-August and early September.
Community Arts Update
Film and music have also brought people together. The “Funky Film Fest” featured 10 teams creating shorts, with around 50 people at the final screening. The VA Jazz All-Stars performed two shows, one cut short by weather but the second well attended.
Dance events proved especially popular. A June square dance brought in 30 participants, while the “Dancing Under the Stars” Latin dance night attracted about 150 people.
Council members observed that the Upper Ramble is best for evening and lingering activities, while the Lower Ramble works better for movement-based events.
Budget and Planning
However, the council is stuck on evaluating what to do with rollover funds and has submitted a formal request for additional support in this next fiscal year. Members even suggested preparing a slideshow with participation numbers and photos to present to the city council and inviting elected officials to experience events firsthand.
The Broader Impact
The meeting’s discussions showed how public art decisions connect to larger questions about community identity. The 2020 pandemic piece embodies resilience and youthful voices but requires investment to survive. The new sculpture will shape the city’s future landscape, while thriving programs prove that residents are eager for opportunities to gather and create.