FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2025
Fort Smith, Ark. — Work is officially underway on downtown Fort Smith’s newest art activation, the Alleyway Art Walk between 616 and 702 Garrison Avenue! Artist TigerSasha kicked off the project on Monday, April 28, beginning the first outlines of his original sidewalk mural, Mind Gap, which will soon connect Garrison Avenue to Rogers Avenue with a colorful, creative pathway.
However, as every Arkansan knows, springtime weather doesn’t always cooperate! Due to rain and heavy humidity early this week, work on Mind Gap had to be paused. TigerSasha was able to complete some initial outlining Tuesday morning, but with more rain in the forecast, progress will likely be paused through the end of the week.
Pending weather improvements, work is expected to resume on Monday, May 5, when sunshine returns to downtown.
“This project is going to be an incredible addition to downtown Fort Smith,” said Amanda Hager, Executive Director of Main Street Fort Smith. “We’re so excited to see Mind Gap come to life — even if Mother Nature is asking us to wait just a little longer!”
The Alleyway Art Walk is part of a larger placemaking initiative led by Main Street Fort Smith to enhance walkability, vibrancy, and connectivity between Garrison Avenue and Rogers Avenue. This project pairs the Mind Gap mural with newly installed bistro lighting, creating a safer, more welcoming passageway for locals and visitors alike.
Work on the bistro lighting has also been stalled due to weather conditions, but the work is expected to be completed in the next two weeks.
Community members are encouraged to stroll by once work resumes to watch the mural take shape, meet the artist, and experience firsthand how Fort Smith continues to grow as a hub for creative placemaking.
For updates on the Alleyway Art Walk and other downtown revitalization projects, visit www.mainstreetfs.org and follow Main Street Fort Smith on social media.
