It took west Little Rock resident Debbie Northington five years to discover the Wildwood Park for the Arts. But it took her no time to fall in love.
After attending a springtime luncheon there in 2012, she was surprised to find the hidden gem right in her own backyard. “The native Arkansas azaleas were in full bloom,” she recalls, “and it was just so beautiful.”
The 105-acre sanctuary nestled in Chenal Valley’s woodlands has turned out to have a greater impact on her life than she ever imagined.
Last year, she and husband Stephen joined Wildwood’s board of directors and teamed up to chair the 501(c)(3) park’s second Wine Reserve Dinner, an evening of intimate conversation, fine wine, expertly selected course pairings and an auction to support the park’s operations. The Northingtons are helping out with this year’s dinner, too, co-chairing with fellow Wildwood supporters Tiffany and Daniel Robinson.
Between the park’s 625-seat Lucy Lockett Cabe Theatre, a swan lake, walking trails, wildflower and water gardens and a host of educational outreach programs, pitching in to help support the area’s natural getaway was an easy decision.
This isn’t the first time the founders of Northington Investment Group have put their business savvy to use outside of the office. Stephen is a member of the West Little Rock Rotary Club, while Debbie serves as secretary for the parent-teacher fellowship at Little Rock Christian Academy and is on the board and formerly chair for Junior Achievement of Arkansas. Earlier this year, the couple joined forces – and braved the February cold – to coordinate one of the eight venues featured in Wildwood’s winter event LANTERNS!
“Debbie and Stephen have made their passion for Wildwood a family affair – their children, Weston and Kristina, volunteer and play at the park, too,” says Leslie Golden, Wildwood’s executive director. “They live near Wildwood and spearhead a neighborhood initiative to share the park’s arts opportunities to all the families in the Chenal area. Their motivation and work ethic to build community make Wildwood a better place for all of Little Rock.”
Understanding the contribution Wildwood makes to the local community is as easy as looking at the numbers: last year the park welcomed no fewer than 50,000 visitors, with free admission to all its everyday offerings. Financial support from the community makes removing this barrier of entry a viable option, and empowers the park to continue outreach like its Art-to-Go educational tour that brought live theater to more than 10,000 children across the state last year.
Supporters like the Northingtons hope their work will sustain the park for many years to come. Last year’s Wine Reserve Dinner raised $40,000, and sights are set even higher for this year’s. More funding is not just instrumental in keeping the doors open, but vital in fulfilling important long-term goals like fully developing the park’s 100-plus acreage, restoring ’80s-era facilities to their original luster and introducing the power of nature and the arts to even more people.
“It’s no secret that funding for arts education in the schools is limited,” Golden says, “and that participation in the arts increases graduation rates and test scores.”
Recognizing that need, the park’s leadership has made its vital educational work a top priority in planning for the future. Current programs include camps, classes and residencies for students at Chenal, Roberts, Baker and Robinson elementary schools. For years ahead, building a school with on-site housing – making it a year-round center for arts education – is an exciting prospect.
“The best way to keep the park free of charge to visit is to make a donation,” Golden says. “If most contribute even a small amount of time or energy to the fiscal health and general wellbeing of Wildwood, many more will have an opportunity to enjoy it now and in years to come.”
Guests to this November’s Wine Reserve Dinner can expect a memorable meal – five courses in total – with carefully selected wine pairings. Governor’s mansion staff will be preparing dishes with considerations for what’s local and in-season, while certified sommelier and certified specialist of wine Jonathan Looney will be on-hand to lead the night’s libations. And, Golden adds, “you haven’t tasted wine until you’ve done so with Jonathan. He is knowledgeable and amusing and brings a surprise to every glass he pours.”
This year’s dinner has been tweaked to make an already great event even better. Formerly held back-to-back with the park’s Wine and Food Festival, the two events are now spaced apart to make 2013’s Wine Reserve Dinner the star of the season. And although the night will remain as intimate as ever, six tables have been added this year so even more supporters can attend. Besides usual auction suspects like jewelry and trips, one-of-a-kind Wildwood experiences from hayrides to live music will also be on the docket.
“Good wine inspires conversation, adventure, analysis and a pure enjoyment that speaks to the soul,” Golden says. “Sometimes the experience is smooth or distinct, mellow or bright, robust and on occasion even a bit raucous. It’s best when shared collaboratively.”
And like a complex wine full of subtle notes and evolving flavors, the Wildwood Park for the Arts reminds its supporters of the joy found in the natural world, the responsibility we have to preserve it and the pleasant surprises around every corner.
“It’s great to be out there and really relax whether it’s in the Asian garden, walking through the trails or walking around the lake,” Northington says. “Every time I go out there I see something I’ve never noticed before. It’s ever-changing.”
Wildwood Park Wine Reserve Dinner
When: Friday, Nov. 1, 2013
Where: Governor’s Mansion
Attire: Cocktail
Tickets: $150 each; $1,500 for table of 10
Info: 821-7275
Also coming up:
- Acoustic Harmonies Festival (Oct. 5)
- RunWILD! 5K & 1K Family Fun Run (Nov. 9)
- Holiday Tour of Homes (Dec. 7)
- LANTERNS! (Feb. 14-16, 2014)