Under the sea

Seascape adorns walls near splash pad

July 9, 2020 at 1:00 a.m.

by Annette Beard

Senior art students Elizabeth Fanning, left, Reese Abbott, center, join teachers Crystal McWilliams and Aaron Jones, from the Arkansas Arts Academy, as they work on the mural on the building at the splash pad at Pea Ridge City Park.
Senior art students Elizabeth Fanning, left, Reese Abbott, center, join teachers Crystal McWilliams and Aaron Jones, from the Arkansas Arts Academy, as they work on the mural on the building at the splash pad at Pea Ridge City Park.

PEA RIDGE — A crab, an octopus, shark, jellyfish, sea turtle and seahorses are brightening the City Park beside the splash pad.

The splash pad, opened at the end of May 2019, is closed this summer because of covid-19 restrictions. While it’s closed, Parks Commission members are having a mural painted on all four walls of the building housing the equipment for the splash pad, which was built with a 50/50 grant from Arkansas Parks and Tourism.

Art students from the Arkansas Arts Academy are practicing and enhancing their painting skills on the murals. Students working on the mural include seniors Elizabeth Fanning, Reese Abbott, Tyler Miller, Basil Bat-tin and Sophia Stumbaugh, all of Rogers; and Abby Alexander, of Fayetteville. Teachers working on the project are Crystal McWilliams, 2D visual art teacher, and Aaron Jones, Arkansas Arts Academy 7-12, Rogers.

“It’s almost better without little hands in it; it gives them a little bit more free range,” Parks Commission member Theresa Jackson said.

“When were in school … all of the students” collaborated on the design, McWilliams said. She took the students’ ideas and made one large design. “It’s a really good experience for them. They now have an idea of what it entails.”

“It’s totally a group effort.”

The weather hasn’t hampered the work.

“Every day, it’s like a storm bubbles up … do we leave? Do we stay? Is it going to rain? Is it just cloudy?” McWilliams said. “Fortunately, because it’s warm and it’s summer, it dries really fast.”

Abbott said, “Making sure it doesn’t drip onto the other colors” was the most challenging part of the work.

Interestingly, the group was working Saturday when police visited in response to a report someone was “tagging” or painting graffiti at the park.

“Funny story already,” she said. “They were out here Saturday, and some concerned citizens called the police ... they thought they were taggers ... it was so funny. The police officer got a big hoot out of it.”

The Parks Commission has allocated a budget for the paint, according to Theresa Jackson, member of the Parks Commission.

“It’s so cute, so fun and the colors are so vibrant.” Jackson said.

Annette Beard may be reached by email at abeard@nwadg.com .

Senior art students Elizabeth Fanning and Reese Abbott paint the sea joining teacher Crystal McWilliams, center right, and teacher Aaron Jones paints a bright red crab on the mural at the Pea Ridge City Park splash pad building Thursday, July 2, 2020.
Senior art students Elizabeth Fanning and Reese Abbott paint the sea joining teacher Crystal McWilliams, center right, and teacher Aaron Jones paints a bright red crab on the mural at the Pea Ridge City Park splash pad building Thursday, July 2, 2020.
Art teacher Crystal McWilliams worked on the south side of the building while senior students Elizabeth Fanning and Reese Abbott worked on the west side Thursday, July 2.
Art teacher Crystal McWilliams worked on the south side of the building while senior students Elizabeth Fanning and Reese Abbott worked on the west side Thursday, July 2.
A red crab grabs attention in the sea mural on the splash pad building in Pea Ridge. Teachers Crystal McWilliams and Aaron Jones visit with Parks Commission member Theresa Jackson Thursday, July 2, 2020.
A red crab grabs attention in the sea mural on the splash pad building in Pea Ridge. Teachers Crystal McWilliams and Aaron Jones visit with Parks Commission member Theresa Jackson Thursday, July 2, 2020.
Art teacher Crystal McWilliams works alongside her students.
Art teacher Crystal McWilliams works alongside her students.
Crystal McWilliams, art teacher at Arkansas Arts Academy, works on the mural on the building at the splash pad at Pea Ridge City Park.
Crystal McWilliams, art teacher at Arkansas Arts Academy, works on the mural on the building at the splash pad at Pea Ridge City Park.
Arkansas Arts Academy teachers Crystal McWilliams and Aaron Jones work on the sea creatures and various shades of blue in the mural at the Pea Ridge City Park splash pad.
Arkansas Arts Academy teachers Crystal McWilliams and Aaron Jones work on the sea creatures and various shades of blue in the mural at the Pea Ridge City Park splash pad.
Crystal McWilliams, art teacher at Arkansas Arts Academy, works on the mural on the building at the splash pad at Pea Ridge City Park while Parks Commission member Theresa Jackson, looks on.
Crystal McWilliams, art teacher at Arkansas Arts Academy, works on the mural on the building at the splash pad at Pea Ridge City Park while Parks Commission member Theresa Jackson, looks on.
Senior art student Reese Abbott said she enjoyed painting on the mural at Pea Ridge City Park.
Senior art student Reese Abbott said she enjoyed painting on the mural at Pea Ridge City Park.
Teacher Aaron Jones adds his touch to the mural as students Elizabeth Fanning and Reese Abbott work on the blues of the sea.
Teacher Aaron Jones adds his touch to the mural as students Elizabeth Fanning and Reese Abbott work on the blues of the sea.
Senior art students Elizabeth Fanning and Reese Abbott said they'd never worked on such a large project before putting their hand to the mural in Pea Ridge.
Senior art students Elizabeth Fanning and Reese Abbott said they'd never worked on such a large project before putting their hand to the mural in Pea Ridge.
Arkansas Arts Academy students working on the mural include seniors Elizabeth Fanning, Reese Abbott, Tyler Miller, Basil Battin and Sophia Stumbaugh, all of Rogers; and Abby Alexander, of Fayetteville.
Arkansas Arts Academy students working on the mural include seniors Elizabeth Fanning, Reese Abbott, Tyler Miller, Basil Battin and Sophia Stumbaugh, all of Rogers; and Abby Alexander, of Fayetteville.

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