The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce invites the public to its Business Expo, presented by FNBC, scheduled for Wednesday, June 7, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Batesville Community Center.

This year's theme is "Game Show," and is designed to be fun and engaging. The event will be held at the Batesville Community Center and is free and open to the public. All community members are invited to 'come on down.'

Vendors will decorate their booth just like their favorite television game shows, like "Wheel of Fortune," "Minute to Win It," or "Jeopardy."

"We are excited to see over 100 local businesses connect with thousands of potential customers under one roof," said Sarah Barnhill, BACC's Director of Memberships and Programs. "We are ready to see familiar faces and welcome new vendors this year. We have added booth spaces and activities to this growing event."

Vendors will offer giveaways, hold creative contests, and demonstrate products and services.

"Our Business Expo is the perfect platform to network, learn, and have fun," continued Barnhill. "Join us for a day filled with excitement and entertainment. You'll leave with new knowledge, new connections, and maybe even a prize or two!"

Co-exhibiters will participate in the business-to-business trade show and networking hour at 10 a.m. 

Doors will open to the public at 11 a.m. A Taste of the Chamber, featuring local cuisine served by Chamber members, will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

The Business Expo features a Kids Zone with activities for kids and a Career Showcase, encouraging visitors to learn about current job openings. The Kids Zone and Career Showcase will occur from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"The expo continues to be a community tradition and the best way for our businesses to showcase products and services," Barnhill concluded. "This event was created to promote member services and products to the community. I am proud that we have built a reputation for hosting one of the region's best and biggest trade shows."

FNBC presents the expo with additional support from Bad Boy Mowers, the City of Batesville, Intimidator Group, Merchants & Planters Bank, Optimum, Peco Foods, RAWK Imprinting, Sonic Drive-In, the UPS Store, and White River Health.

Learn more about the 2023 Business Expo at batesvilleareachamber.com.

Savor the sights, sounds, and flavors of an experience mixing our community's most
beloved traits — local cuisine and human connection. The Supper Club, presented by Citizens Bank, is a monthly gathering around delicious food and drinks, unique experiences, and invaluable community connections. The group is made for those seeking to make social connections in our community, one bite at a time.

Lyon College announces Scottish Arts Summer School

The Lyon College Scottish Heritage Program will have its 2023 Scottish Arts Summer School June 11-16 on the Lyon College campus.

Lyon College's Scottish Arts Summer School is a five-day-long camp that immerses participants in the Scottish arts. Participants will learn to pipe from some of the world's best bagpipe instructors, including Willie McCallum, Jack Lee and Jimmy Bell. 

Kenton Adler works with beginner and novice pipers on technique, steady blowing,  tuning, preparing for competition, and piping for weddings and funerals. McCallum, Lee and Bell will focus on more advanced techniques and tunes in piobaireachd and all forms of light music.

For the duration of the program, participants who require housing will live on the Lyon College campus. Each participant should bring twin-sized bedding for his or her stay. Meals will be provided by Lyon College dining services.

Tuition for the Scottish Arts Summer School is $950 for participants who require housing and $650 for participants who do not require housing. All students under 18 may receive a $50 discount. All groups of three or more also will receive a $50 discount.

For more information and to register, call 870-307-PIPE or email Jimmy Bell at James.Bell@lyon.edu.

Join us for Batesville Area Arts Council's annual Summer Celebration fundraiser on June 10, 2023 at The Loft on Main Street (267 E. Main St., Library 3rd Floor). Doors will open at 6 p.m.

This year we will "ThrowBAAC to Prom" with a tribute to proms of the past. We're combining a healthy dose of nostalgia with live music by Luke Middleton, food & drinks, a silent auction of unique artwork, the crowning of Prom Royalty, and a classic prom dance with a live DJ playing your favorite throwback hits. ThrowBAAC to Prom is a once in a lifetime chance to re-live (or re-do) your prom experience!

No prom would be complete without Prom Royalty. Our sponsors have nominated their candidates for Prom King and Queen, all in support of raising funds for the arts in our community. Vote for your choice by donating to BAAC, as every dollar you contribute counts as a vote. The couple that raises the most money for BAAC will be crowned Prom Royalty at the event, adding a touch of elegance and excitement to the night.

Our sponsor nominees for Prom royalty are Bill & Sydney Oliva (First Community Bank), Nancy & Eric Elam (Community Insurance), Kervin & Dr. Mallory Flores FutureFuel Chemical Company, Zach & Abby Perrine (University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville), and Courteney & Andrew Muse (Southern Bank).

We extend our sincere thanks to our Summer Celebration sponsors, including First Community Bank, FutureFuel Chemical Company, Intimidator Group, University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, Southern Bank, White River Health, and Batesville Printing, for their generous support in making this event possible.

The proceeds from Summer Celebration will be dedicated to furthering BAAC's mission of providing educational programs, art exhibitions, workshops, and community art projects in Batesville and the surrounding areas. By attending this event, you contribute to the flourishing art scene and help us create a more vibrant and culturally enriched community.

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to rekindle the magic of prom and support the arts in our community. Purchase your tickets now at batesvilleareaartscouncil.org or visit

the Batesville Area Arts Council’s Gallery on Main (226 E Main St). Tickets are priced at $45, with a special discounted rate of $40 for BAAC members.

We are hosting three softball camps this summer! We are hosting two prospect camps on June 6 & June 20th (7th-12th grade), 9am-12pm at Howard and Mary House Field. The cost for the prospect camp is $75. We are also hosting a Little Scots camp on June 13th (1st-6th grade), 9am-12pm at Howard and Mary House Field. The cost for the Little Scots camp is $60. Sign up at https://www.lyonsoftballcamps.com/ Go Scots Go!

OA Gaming Emporium, located at 2105 Harrison Street in Batesville is NOW OPEN!

OA Gaming is a new game store, bringing the fun of tabletop to our community.

Batesville Area Young Artists exhibit at Lyon College Kresge Gallery is May 18 to Aug. 4

Young artists from the Batesville area have a chance to showcase their talents in the upcoming Batesville Area Young Artists (BAYA) High School Juried Art Exhibition.

Students from eligible schools, including Cave City High School, Batesville High School, Southside High School and Cedar Ridge High School, who are expected to graduate in 2024 or 2025, were invited to submit up to three artworks in any 2D or 3D medium.

The BAYA event is the first community exhibition of its kind on campus, said Dustyn Bork, professor of art and BAYA organizer, who discussed the goals of the program.

“We see so many talented artists in the area, but they don’t necessarily know what steps to take next or how to showcase their art,” said Bork. “The Lyon College Art program wants to create a showcase, a possibility, that can encourage those young artists and give them an audience for their work.”

Bork emphasized that the event is designed to encourage supporting the arts and to give local young artists an opportunity to broaden their perspective and learn about what art can offer them.

“Maybe a student has taken an art class and they had the opportunity to use a few tools and learn some techniques, but maybe they’ve never been exposed to oil pastels or gouache,” said Bork. “Then they come on campus and see works done by their peers who are young artists just like them, and then they realize, ‘This is something I can do, too.’”

“Or maybe there’s an artist just drawing in their room and asking themselves, ‘Is this any good? Would anyone like this quirky drawing of my favorite band?’” said Bork. “This is their opportunity to test it out, to show off their art and start a discussion about what they make. It’s about having an audience for what you create.”

The exhibition also offers prizes for selected winners. The first-place winner will receive a cash prize of $300, while the second- and third-place winners will receive $200 and $100, respectively. Honorable mentions will receive $50 art gift cards. In addition to the cash prizes, the top five winners will receive Lyon College Art Scholarships of up to $500 per year.

“There’s an opportunity to get into the exhibition, which is a great recognition in itself, but then there are the awards with prize money associated with them which hopefully sparks the idea that, 'Hey, I can get paid for my art,’” said Bork.

Bork emphasized that he hopes the event can highlight to local young artists the possibility of finding a future in art, “whether it’s just a hobby, a major you pursue, or a career, there are pathways.”

These submissions will be juried by Mountain Home artist and guest juror, Dusty Mitchell. The selected pieces will then be gathered and showcased in the Kresge Gallery, located in the Alphin Humanities Building on Lyon College's campus.

“We specifically chose a professional that is not in the area to remain objective and unbiased,” said Bork. “After the selections have been made, it is possible for up to 30 pieces to be in the final show.”

The exhibition will be open to the public from Friday, May 19, to Friday, Aug. 4, providing ample time for art enthusiasts and visitors to witness the creative expressions of these young artists. The exhibit is a fantastic opportunity for these students to showcase their skills and gain recognition for their hard work.  

There will be a reception on Thursday, June 8, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Kresge Gallery. Prizes will be awarded during the reception. The free event is open to the public.

“Even if you didn’t submit, come out to the gallery,” said Bork. “See what was selected, see what the community can create. Come support the arts and support the community that creates these wonderful pieces.”

Kresge Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Admission is free.

For more information about BAYA or the Lyon College Art program, please contact Dustyn Bork at dustyn.bork@lyon.edu.

CONCERT LINEUP ANNOUNCED FOR 2023 LEVITT AMP BATESVILLE MUSIC SERIES 

The countdown to a memorable season of free concerts under the summer fun in Batesville, Arkansas, is underway! The Levitt AMP Batesville Music Series announced its impressive lineup of artists who will perform at Riverside Park each Thursday at 7 p.m. through August 3. So grab your family, friends, and neighbors and get ready to experience the power of free, live music to bring our community together! 
 
Sponsored in part by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, a social impact funder supporting nonprofits nationwide at the intersection of music, public space, and community building, the Levitt AMP Music Series injects new life into underused public spaces through free outdoor concerts across the nation. 
 
The Levitt AMP Batesville Music Series will present ten free, family-friendly concerts to the public this summer at Riverside Park. 
 
The series will feature a diverse lineup of high-caliber talent spanning soul, folk, indie, and rock and roll genres. Artists include Roy Saunders, Miles over Mountains, Victor Wainwright and the Train, a soulful Marcella and her Lovers, Latin Grammy artist Gina Chavez, The Band Trippp, along with Melody Angel. 
 
The public is invited to bring their picnics, blankets, and lawn chairs to the concerts, which will have an open lawn setting. Along with free music, there will also be a kid zone designated for children to run and play, a vendor alley, food trucks, outdoor games, art, and more. 
 
The Levitt AMP concert series is located at Riverside Park in Batesville. Admission is free.

There is Hope. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to connect with compassionate care and support for mental health-related distress. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, 988 provides a 24/7 connection to confidential support.

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce is the leading voice of business in Independence County, providing chamber members advocacy, promotion, and resources. The Chamber works to set the standard for service, collaboration, growth, and high quality of life in the Batesville area. We are unwavering in our commitment to strengthening our business community.