Community Calendar

We are celebrating the Buddha's birth and Parinirvana, Earth Day and Father's Day.
We are having potluck, anyone wanting to bring food is welcome.

Everyone is welcome.

We will have the Dharma store available.

Author Kate Cohen visits Arkansas for the first event of the 2025 Secular Speaker Series hosted by the Ozarks Chapter of Freedom From Religion Foundation. Kate will address "Why America Needs Atheists Now More Than Ever", speaking to her journey toward honesty, the personal and political reasons, and explaining the two common characteristics of atheists that our country needs right now. This event is FREE and open to the public.

Kate Cohen is a writer, a former Washington Post contributing columnist and author of We of Little Faith: Why I Stopped Pretending to Believe (And Maybe You Should Too), which chronicles Kate's journey to outspoken atheism and argues that nonbelievers should be more vocal, for the good of the country. For this work and for her columns inspecting America's outsized deference to religion, the Freedom from Religion Foundation honored her with its "Freethought Heroine" award in 2023. She has spoken to groups large and small around the country, and recently gave the keynote address for the inaugural Congressional Reason Reception in Washington, D.C. Kate is the author of two previous books and the mother of three children. She lives with her husband on a hay farm in Albany, New York.

Attendees can share a recipe of their own and try out some new, delicious plant-based dishes at this free, family-friendly event.

Attendees can share their recipes and try out new, delicious plant-based dishes at this free event. If you want to bring a dish without gluten, tag it as “gluten-free” and feel free to join.

The USA Archery Arkansas State Outdoor Target Championship marks the first-ever statewide competition of it’s kind for archers in Arkansas, showcasing the skill and precision of archers from The Natural State. This event offers a unique opportunity for archers of all levels to compete in a professionally sanctioned outdoor target archery tournament, promoting the sport of archery across the state of Arkansas.

Enjoy a summer afternoon filled with art, inspiration, and community at ESSA’s Studio Stroll! On Saturday, June 21st, you're invited to wander our scenic campus and step inside working studios for an exclusive glimpse into the creative process. Watch instructors demonstrate their craft, explore student work, and feel the inspiration that fuels our creative community.

Whether you're an art enthusiast, a curious visitor, or a potential student, Studio Strolls offer a welcoming way to connect with local makers and see the magic of art and fine craft in action. Light refreshments will be available.

Featured workshops include:
– Intro to Plasma Cutting with Bobby Babcock – shape whimsical metal art using a plasma torch and colorful accents
– Intro to Soft Pastels with Barbara Iglehart – explore landscape, still life, or portrait painting with soft pastels and foundational techniques
– Kitchen Table Silversmithing with Brandy Boyd – learn to create small jewelry pieces with tools you can use at home

This event is free and open to the public.

Interested in taking one of these workshops? Learn more about upcoming Studio Strolls and enroll here:
https://essa-art.org/events/studio-strolls

RSVP on the Facebook Event page here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Z7c2wwY2K/

Learn from author and mycologist Jay Justice about local wild summer mushrooms including Amanitas, Boletes, and Chanterelles. Our morning presentation will be followed by a bring-your-own brown bag lunch break and afternoon foray in the Ozark National Forest to observe and collect mushrooms/fungi in their natural habitat. Then we'll gather our finds, head back to Ozark Folkways for a hands on identification workshop followed by one of our ever popular tastings!

🧵✨ Pop-Up Trash Can Class! ✨🧵

Date: June 25, 2025 Time: 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM Cost: $15 per person

Supplies Needed: ✔ Sewing machine & hardware ✔ Thread, bobbins, needles ✔ 2 fat quarters ✔ Trash can spring (available for purchase in class!)

Grab your friends, grab your machine, and Let's Get Lost in Sewing! This fun and functional project will have you creating your very own pop-up trash can—perfect for keeping your sewing space neat and tidy.

Reserve your spot today! 🪡🛠️

The **Hot Springs International Women's Film Festival** is presented by the Hot Springs Arts & Film Institute.
The festival is a vibrant an inclusive platform established by filmmakers for filmmakers, dedicated to celebrating and amplifying the voices of women in the film industry.

Now in its 10th year, the festival will take place on **June 28-29, 2025**, at **Vapors Live**, located at **315 Park Ave, Downtown Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas**. This event invites film enthusiasts to explore a diverse array of films, including premieres, unreleased features, international documentaries, narratives, comedies, animations, and
shorts, with a special focus on local talent from Arkansas.

Founded by Bill Volland in response to gender inequality in the film industry, the festival is organized by a passionate team of filmmakers, volunteers, and members of Women in Film of Arkansas. It welcomes projects that feature women in a key production roles, as well as films produced or directed by men, provided they center on female protagonists or stories about women.'.

Set in the scenic **Hot Springs National Park**, known for its natural hot springs, lakes, historic spas, museums, and art galleries, the festival offers a unique opportunity for filmmakers to showcase their work to a global audience. Attendees can also enjoy the **Artist Vendors Area**, featuring handmade crafts, delicious food, and drinks, while engaging in educational and networking opportunities within walking distance of the venue.

The festival recognizes excellence across various categories, including **Best Feature Film**, **Best Short Film**, **Best Documentary Feature**, **Best Documentary Short**, **Best Student Film**, **Best Animation**, **Best First-Time Filmmaker**, and the **JLA Best Arkansas Made Film**. Winners may receive awards such as trophies, screenings, accommodations, and festival tickets.

As filmmakers ourselves, we understand the dedication and effort required to bring a project to life. Our mission is to support filmmakers through exhibition, education, networking, and distribution, helping them reach the right audience and advance their careers. We invite you to join us in celebrating the creativity and achievements of women in film.

The **Hot Springs International Women's Film Festival** is presented by the Hot Springs Arts & Film Institute.
The festival is a vibrant an inclusive platform established by filmmakers for filmmakers, dedicated to celebrating and amplifying the voices of women in the film industry.

Now in its 10th year, the festival will take place on **June 28-29, 2025**, at **Vapors Live**, located at **315 Park Ave, Downtown Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas**. This event invites film enthusiasts to explore a diverse array of films, including premieres, unreleased features, international documentaries, narratives, comedies, animations, and
shorts, with a special focus on local talent from Arkansas.

Founded by Bill Volland in response to gender inequality in the film industry, the festival is organized by a passionate team of filmmakers, volunteers, and members of Women in Film of Arkansas. It welcomes projects that feature women in a key production roles, as well as films produced or directed by men, provided they center on female protagonists or stories about women.'.

Set in the scenic **Hot Springs National Park**, known for its natural hot springs, lakes, historic spas, museums, and art galleries, the festival offers a unique opportunity for filmmakers to showcase their work to a global audience. Attendees can also enjoy the **Artist Vendors Area**, featuring handmade crafts, delicious food, and drinks, while engaging in educational and networking opportunities within walking distance of the venue.

The festival recognizes excellence across various categories, including **Best Feature Film**, **Best Short Film**, **Best Documentary Feature**, **Best Documentary Short**, **Best Student Film**, **Best Animation**, **Best First-Time Filmmaker**, and the **JLA Best Arkansas Made Film**. Winners may receive awards such as trophies, screenings, accommodations, and festival tickets.

As filmmakers ourselves, we understand the dedication and effort required to bring a project to life. Our mission is to support filmmakers through exhibition, education, networking, and distribution, helping them reach the right audience and advance their careers. We invite you to join us in celebrating the creativity and achievements of women in film.