Helen Walton and Billie Jo Starr celebrate the opening of the Walton Arts Center on April 20, 1992. / Courtesy photo

As the Walton Arts Center approaches its 30th anniversary, organizers announced a year-long campaign to collect memories from patrons, volunteers, staff, artists and partners.

The arts center is asking people to call 479-571-2702 and leave their name, the city they are calling from and a Walton Arts Center memory or experience. These can be a favorite memory that they have of the venue, the first show they saw at there, what they value most about the arts center or why they consider it to be their local theater.

Arts center staff will collect memories throughout the year to be highlighted as part of a 30th anniversary celebration in 2022.

“We have been part of the cultural fabric of Northwest Arkansas for nearly three decades,” said Peter Lane, president and CEO of Walton Arts Center. “Throughout the pandemic and the suspension of full-scale operations, we kept hearing from members of the community about how much Walton Arts Center meant to them. We really wanted to capture those personal memories and celebrate that connection as we return to full-scale operations in anticipation of our 30th anniversary celebration.”

Officials said by leaving a recording, patrons give the arts center permission to use their voice or memory in the celebration next year.

For more information about the campaign, visit waltonartscenter.org/mywac.