In response to CDC guidelines that American citizens limit their
excursions outside of the home as much as possible, artist Kat Wilson has launched her newest project that may help people deal with immense boredom and help them see Northwest Arkansas in a new light.
#GeoKatting: Selfie adventures by artist Kat Wilson
Let's get out and have some pandemic fun (masked up, hand sanitizer ready, of course)! It's time to experience NWA from a new perspective. So grab your phone, grab your quarantine crew and let's go on a selfie adventure to experience NWA through a new lens.
Step One DRINK THE PINK & GET A CLUE
"Start at Pink House Alchemy located at 928 N College Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72701.
Order your roadie drink online at phfay.com for free! All ya gotta do is take your first selfie at Pink House tag and follow them. Use code #geokatting at checkout to nab the deal. (Expires Dec. 1st) When you pick up your drink, let the crew know you are #GeoKatting, and they will give you the clue for the treasure that awaits you at the end of your adventure.
Step Two SOAK IT IN
Head to Forth Smith on I-49 South. Don't forget to admire the magnificent views of the Ozarks!" (Major shout out to NWA Land trust and Fayetteville folks Tina Moore and Paul Green that preserved that glorious stretch of land.)
Keep cruising safely; just enjoy no photo needed.
Step Three STAYING ON TASK
Just as you hit Fort Smith, order your banh mi sandwich from Pho Vietnam in Fort Smith (tofu veggie is my go-to). It takes a while, so call it in (479-782-3227). Please note that they are cash only!
Step Four VISIT AN ART SCHOOL AND SEE A LION
Stop at the UAFS Art Building and choose a work of art for your over the top creative selfie. (I was the photographer there for years, shooting anything and everything the school needed. When you are walking around campus, keep an eye out for my photo work. It's old Kat, but if you know my work, you will recognize my style even from way back then.) Tip: there's also a giant Lion sculpture ready to eat your face across the street at the Stubblefield (could be good selfie material).
Step FIVE GET WEIRD
Pick up your sandwich at Pho Vietnam located at 2214 Rogers, Ave. Fort Smith Arkansas. There are so many excellent and unique photo ops here, so unleash your inner art school student and get weird.
Step SIX EN ROUTE TO A PICNIC
Don't forget to take in all the amazing murals in downtown Fort Smith!
Step SEVEN PICNIC with OKLAHOMA
Head over to the Fort Smith National Historic Site Park located at ADDRESS HERE to picnic. This is the ultimate historical picnic spot. Go ahead and stretch your legs and head to the river for a selfie with Oklahoma.
Step EIGHT OK FEED
Hop in your car and drive to the OK Feed Mill at 400-498 Wheeler Ave, Fort Smith, Arkansas. Take your selfie in front of the mammoth Guido Van Helten's heroes' murals. Take your time with these. A powerfully large piece of art with an intensely large message, it is one of the most beloved murals in Fort Smith.
Step NINE NEON MOON
Exit the Mill and take a drive on old Highway 71 back towards Fayetteville. Set your navigation to Neon Moon located at 326 hwy 71 Mountainburg, Arkansas. Snatch up one of their delicious fried pies (I would get two; one fruit and one chocolatey and probably a bottle of water).
Step TEN DINO-MITE
"Drive to the Dinosaur Park at 211 US-71, Mountainburg, Arkansas and take a selfie on the Triceratops eating your pie," Nuff said
Step Eleven REFLECT
Head North on Highway 71, making sure you stop at the Artist Point gift shop at 19924 US-71, Mountainburg, Arkansas. Right next to the gift shop is an incredible overlook perfect for your next selfie.
Step TWELVE SKINNY DIPPIN
SKINNY DIP in the White River (JK) at least stick your feet in, at Riverside Park located on AR-170 in West Fork, Arkansas. The beautiful cliffs are an excellent backdrop for your final selfie.
Step THIRTEEN FIND YOUR TREASURE
End your day at Pink House Alchemy, and a treasure is hidden for you there.
I hope you had an excellent day, and feel like we were hanging out together, making memories.
Artist Statement:
Theatrical, participatory, and humanistic, my work often involves collaboration with others, including, in many of my photography projects, the subjects of the photos themselves. I see my artistic role as that of a medium. Channeling different modes of communication across time, my
photography, paintings, and installations move within and between
of-the-present lexicons like the selfie and the emoji and centuries-old compositional techniques to lend a sense of the metaphysical to familiar objects and spaces.My greatest achievements are when my works communicate indiscriminately to the public.
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Artist Statement:
Theatrical, participatory, and humanistic, my work often involves collaboration with others, including, in many of my photography projects, the subjects of the photos themselves. I see my artistic role as that of a medium. Channeling different modes of communication across time, my
photography, paintings, and installations move within and between
of-the-present lexicons like the selfie and the emoji and centuries-old compositional techniques to lend a sense of the metaphysical to familiar objects and spaces.My greatest achievements are when my works communicate indiscriminately to the public.
Click right here---->
CrystalBridgesArticle
TedTalk Click right here----> TedTalk