A statewide book arts exhibition reaches UAFS this week, with a Fort Smith artist among the featured names. There’s also a new clinic and pharmacy planned for Massard Road.
Octubafest has a free concert at 5 today. Later in the week, you can try genealogy research, catch Beetlejuice at the library or learn to cook with a Dutch oven.
Local story worth knowing
Illustration created for Sweet Home River Valley.
A book arts exhibition arrives at UAFS
Fort Smith is the final stop for Arkansas Women to Watch 2026: Words Become Matter, opening Thursday at the UAFS Gallery of Art and Design.
The exhibition features artists’ books by Acadia Kandora, Rebecca Resinski and Fort Smith’s K. Nelson Harper. Harper is a UAFS emeritus professor who established the campus’s Underground Ink studio in 2009 and taught its first book arts classes.
The opening reception starts at 5 p.m. Thursday at 535 N. Waldron Road. The exhibition stays through December 12, so you have time to see it even if Thursday is already spoken for.
Admission is free. Regular gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., except university holidays.
Fort Smith school conferences and fall break
Fort Smith Public Schools has elementary parent-teacher conferences Tuesday and all-school conferences Thursday, both 3:30–6:30 p.m. Fall break follows, with no school Friday, October 16 or Monday, October 19. Check your school’s instructions for conference arrangements.
Sunday
Octubafest turns twenty
UAFS’s twentieth Octubafest finishes with a free public concert at 5 p.m. today in the Reynolds Room of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center.
If you play low brass and are in ninth grade or older, you can take part, too. Player check-in is at 1 p.m., followed by rehearsal at 1:30.
Sunday • Concert at 5 p.m. • UAFS • Fort Smith • Free concert
Still time for Van Buren
Fall Festival Tradin’ Days and the indoor book fair both run from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. today. The festival is in downtown Van Buren, and the book fair is at Madame’s, 701 Main Street.
Monday
Try a STEAM project at the library
STEAM Team at the Fort Smith Main Library gives ages 8–12 an afternoon of science, technology, engineering, art and math activities.
Monday • 3:30–5 p.m. • Main Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue • Fort Smith
Book club in Greenwood
Sebastian County Library’s adult book club meets Monday evening for its monthly discussion.
Monday • 6–7 p.m. • Sebastian County Library, 18 N. Adair Street • Greenwood
Crawford County libraries closed Monday
All Crawford County Library System branches are closed Monday, October 12.
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Tuesday
Start digging into family history
Beginning Genealogy meets in the Main Library’s Campbell Board Room Tuesday evening. It’s a place to start if you’ve been meaning to look into your family history.
Tuesday • 5:30–7:30 p.m. • Main Library • Fort Smith
Wednesday
Beetlejuice at the library
The Main Library is showing the 1988 Beetlejuice for its Cult Classic movie night. The film is rated PG, and the program is listed for teens and adults. Popcorn is included; you can bring your own snacks and a blanket.
Wednesday • 6–8 p.m. • Main Library Community Room • Fort Smith
Thursday
Free music on the riverfront
The Levitt AMP series continues at Harry E. Kelley Riverfront Park with DJ L3XI, ST. BENDS and Wicked Dubz. Music starts at 6 p.m., and admission is free.
Thursday • 6 p.m. • Harry E. Kelley Riverfront Park • Fort Smith • Free
Put a Dutch oven to work
The Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center has a free Dutch oven cooking class Thursday evening, covering equipment, oven care and venison recipes.
It’s for ages 12 and older, and you’ll need to register by Wednesday, October 14.
Thursday • 6–8 p.m. • 8300 Wells Lake Road • Fort Smith • Free with registration
Local story worth knowing
Illustration created for Sweet Home River Valley.
A clinic and pharmacy are planned on Massard Road
ARcare is planning a medical clinic and pharmacy spanning more than 18,000 square feet at 2709 Massard Road in Fort Smith.
The planned campus would bring primary care, behavioral health and rheumatology together with TruBlu Infusion services and a pharmacy under one roof.
According to Resident News Network, ARcare held the project’s groundbreaking October 6.
Ticket Watch
Carrie opens Thursday in Van Buren
CARRIE The Musical opens at King Opera House Thursday at 7 p.m. The official ticket page has seats available, with additional performances Friday and Saturday at 7 and Sunday at 2.
King Opera House • 427 Main Street • Van Buren
A Tuesday concert in Bentonville
Snail Mail and Soccer Mommy play the Momentary’s RØDE House Tuesday at 7 p.m., with doors at 6:30. The venue lists limited availability. Current listed prices are $49 general admission, $39 for members and $30 for students with valid ID.
Civic this week
Alma has a City Council study session Monday, October 12 at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 804 Fayetteville Avenue, Suite B. The posted agenda has one topic: discussion of the sale of surplus water.
Barling’s Board of Directors meets Tuesday, October 13 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. The board will consider a Cantera Park replat, a lot split and certification of the tax rate to the county clerk.
THE FULL CALENDAR
See the full calendar
The full Sweet Home River Valley calendar has more happening around Fort Smith, Van Buren, Greenwood, Alma, Barling and nearby communities. Take a look before you make your plans.