On Thursday June 17, Mayor George McGill, with the help of the trained volunteers of the Junior League of Fort Smith and local artists, welcomed visiting United Nations Ambassador of Art Ibiyinka Alao to the Fort Smith area.  After a day of touring the Unexpected Project and local art galleries, Ambassador Alao was welcomed with open arms for a fine dining experience at Marble Hall, which is the oldest building on Garrison Avenue and serves as the headquarters for the Junior League of Fort Smith.

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The Mayor envisioned an elegant and warm welcome that reflected the amazing people of this area.  And Mayor McGill entrusted the Junior League of Fort Smith to create this vision and execute.  The League members (all of whom live in the River Valley area of Arkansas and Oklahoma) embraced the Mayor’s entrustment and immediately set forth to putting their skills and experience to work.

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In preparation for the Ambassador’s arrival, Junior League members reached out to local artists, especially local visual artist Jeffry Cantu who created a special immersive visual art piece specifically for this wonderful event.  The League women, together with the artists, transformed the 162-year old Marble Hall’s rock-wall lined edifice into a living, breathing Fort Smithian welcome for the Ambassador.   

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The local artists (many of whom were able to attend the Ambassador’s dinner as guests of the Mayor) who graciously lent their works and/or talents for the evening include: Dale Augustson, Darice Augustson, Kaley Jo Beck, Mireille Belinga, Kelda Buehring-Boydston, Jonathan Burchett, Jeffry Cantu, Kristi Coburn, Dena Creamer, Kenny Henson, Dawn Lensing, Kiaya Luper, Jill Moody-Ledbetter, Chris Releford, and Melody Smith. 

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Artistic members of the Junior League also lent their talents to the decor.  These include fashion designer and seamstress Felicia Norwood, floral designer Carrie Taliaferro, and gift-basket designer Trish Puckett.

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“The women of the Junior League were honored that our Mayor, whom we love, gave us this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  These women and our local artists collaborated in such a magical way to show just how amazing our area is!  By the wide grin on the Ambassador’s face and the personal time he spent with everyone, I think the League and the artists made the Mayor and Fort Smith proud,” said Christina Scherrey, President of the Junior League of Fort Smith.