By Jaden Haly
Aspiring Journalist
JONESBORO, Ark. — Arkansas State University’s Department of Art and Design will host its first Festival of Flowers event April 15-17, featuring lectures, workshops and exhibitions that are focused on native plants and sustainability issues.
This three-day event will bring together students, faculty and many community members. It will also feature regional ecology and artisitc projects through a series of campus programs.
According to the organizers in the Department of Art and Design, the festival was created as a new program to connect art, environmental awareness and getting the local community involved.
“The Department of Art and Design is committed to not only educating students in the fine arts, but providing meaningful professional development opportunities that integrate the fine arts with interdisciplinary experiences, including event planning, community engagement, sustainability and networking.” said Melissa Thompson, a fashion merchandising instructor in the School of Art + Design at Arkansas State University.
The event will culminate with “A Night Downtown,” an evening event for the community designed to connect the people attending with various local businesses in downtown Jonesboro.
The event supports the school’s goals by bringing different subjects together and getting more students involved in environmental activities and sustainability efforts. In addition to the campus activities, the partnership with local businesses intends to increase the festival’s relevance beyond the university by supporting local stores in Jonesboro.
Students and guests who are participating will have opportunities to interact in sustainability concepts and have a chance to learn about the role of native plants and ecology through art and design.
Thompson said the festival could become an annual event and continue to grow over the years.