Eureka Springs is home to more than 200 working artists and more than 20 art galleries, according to the Eureka Springs website. "American Style" magazine listed the city as one of the top 25 arts destinations in the United States. Jim Villani's book, The "100 Best Small Art Towns in America" lists Eureka Springs among them. Visitors can observe artists at work at the North Main Street Art Colony, which also features outdoor sculptures and murals. The Eureka Springs Historical Museum specializes in the art of generations past.
Eureka Springs has more than just artists. According to the Writers Colony website, the colony hosts up to 60 artists during the year for periods of two weeks to three months. The Writers Colony at Dairy Hollow (WCDH) attracts writers, songwriters and composers from all over the country. WCDH also features a monthly potluck that is open to the public. Part of residence at the colony means reaching out to the community to share their writing.
Also located on North Main Street, this former commercial building constructed in 1889 is now a 9,600-square-foot space that houses learning centers for dance, theater, music arts and film-making. According to the Main Stage Center website, the center hosts one- to two-week summer camps for area youngsters who want to learn about these genres. The non-profit organization was founded in 1993 as Lane House.
Eureka Springs hosts several music festivals every year, along with weekly shows at nightclubs and the Basin Spring Park bandshell. Among the festivals that call Eureka Springs home are the Eureka Springs Blues Fest, the Ozark Folk Festival, the Eureka Springs Bluegrass Festival and Africa in the Ozarks. Celtic music is also a big part of Eureka Springs, including Burns Weekend in January.
Held for the entire month of May, the festival celebrates with theater, art exhibitions, yard art contests, sculpture exhibitions, concerts, poetry readings and book fairs, according to the Eureka Springs website. There is also a parade, called the ARTrageous Parade and the White Street Studio Walk.
