Arkansas250 Exhibits
Before Us, Beyond Us
Arkansas today is a culmination of who we’ve always been – a land of unique culture, music, art, craftsmanship, breathtaking landscapes, outdoor adventure and thriving communities.
This exhibit contains artifacts from 250 years of Arkansas’ history, representing multiple unique eras in our past - the Bear State, the Toothpick State, Regnet Populus, the Wonder State, Rackensack, the Land of Opportunity, and the Natural State.
With each era of Arkansas there are stories of conflict and discovery, inspiration and success, and many moments of creativity, leadership and cultural expression.
The exhibit will run from March 4 - December 11, 2026, at the Old State House Museum. The museum is open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday and 1 – 5 p.m. on Sundays.
The Natural State in the American Tapestry
The painting is a 48” x 48” montage sketched and painted by Arkansas artist Barry Thomas. The montage is imposed over the shape of the State of Arkansas, highlighting more than 40 cultural, economic, recreational, and political influences on Arkansas history over the last 250 years.
This painting will be on display with the Before Us, Beyond Us exhibit through December 2026.
About the Artist
Barry Thomas is an impressionist painter known for his bold colors and brushstrokes. Barry has spent his lifetime capturing the beauty of everyday life in a way that captivates the eye and speaks to the heart. Though his love of art began as a love of nature in Arkansas when he was just a child, he was classically trained at The Art Center College of Design in California and the University of Arkansas. His artwork has since appeared in galleries across the United States.
