Gallery of Past Events
Muses 2023 “Kindred Spirit” Award Honor Dinner
September 26th, The Country Club of Little Rock
Annual Fundraiser and Gala Concert
A Muses Kindred Spirit recognizes the value of the Arts to the educational, cultural, economic vitality and quality of life in this state, and leads by example, through creative cultivation and support for projects of excellence and inspiration.
2023 Honoree: Terri Erwin
Please save the evening, Tuesday, September 26th, for The Muses 2023 "Kindred Spirit" Award. A Muses Kindred Spirit recognizes the value of the Classical Arts in bringing inspiration and excellence through educational and cultural opportunities for the general betterment of the community.
This year’s award recipient is Terri Erwin, whose passion for the arts, and whose actions for good, embody the mission of the Muses. Through her civic leadership, volunteerism, and impressive board service of over 40 years, Terri has sought tirelessly to improve and enrich the quality of life and economic vitality of the state through the Arts, Education and Healthcare.

Terri currently serves on the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation Board. She is a past chair of the AMFA Board of Trustees and a recipient of the Winthrop Rockefeller Memorial Award. She served on the Arkansas Symphony Board for 18 years and she and her husband, Chuck, chaired the ASO’s largest fundraiser, The Opus Ball.
Terri is a former member of the Hendrix College Board of Trustees and currently serves on the Episcopal Collegiate School Foundation Board. As past president of the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Auxiliary, she chaired the hospital’s largest fundraiser, The Miracle Ball. In 2013, Terri was named “Woman of the Year” by Women & Children First, an agency against family violence. In so many ways, Terri continues to lead by example through creative cultivation and support for projects of excellence and inspiration.
The Muses Project believes that classical artistic education, creative and critical thinking, and high-quality cultural experiences through live performance are not frivolous undertakings, but crucial to a well-rounded and healthy community. Each year, utilizing the talents of highly skilled professional performers in mentoring and collegial roles with students and young artists, they produce a series of multi-disciplinary concert events at the Muses Cultural Arts Center in Hot Springs, and tour throughout the state.
Please join us for this exciting evening honoring Terri Erwin! And, consider supporting The Muses Project by being a Sponsor for this unique, entertaining Gala-style concert and dinner. You will be treated to a spectacular performance by professional musicians from around the country and members of the Muses’ Vocal Arts Troupe. It is only through philanthropic support that high quality artistic programs, such as this one, will continue to exist in our communities.
For more information, please call 501.609.9811
The Muses 2023
Celtic Spring
The Muses 2023
Broadway: The Sound of Muses
Muses 2022 “Kindred Spirit” Award Honor Dinner
September 20th, AR Governor’s Mansion
Annual Fundraiser and Gala Concert
A Muses Kindred Spirit recognizes the value of the Arts to the educational, cultural, economic vitality and quality of life in this state, and leads by example, through creative cultivation & support for projects of excellence & inspiration.
2022 Honoree: Isabel Burton Anthony
A native of Hot Springs and resident of Little Rock since 2013, Isabel is a fine arts graduate of Southern Methodist University. Shel and her husband John Ed are the benefactors of Garvan Woodland Gardens, the botanical garden of The University of Arkansas, in Hot Springs, its Anthony Carillon and the beautiful Anthony Chapel, which is similar in style to the world renowned Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs. Isabel served for 15 years on the Garden’s Advisory Board. The extended Anthony families are currently involved in building The Anthony Timberlands Center for Design and Wood Materials Innovation, the newest addition to The Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design in Fayetteville. The Anthonys are active supporters of the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden and the Arkansas Museum of Fine Art, where Isabel served seven years on the board of trustees. She and her family have been important philanthropists to the Arts in Arkansas for many years.
Isabel, an artist herself, has for many years painted decorative eggs. A photographic exploration of Isabel’s assemblage of intricately embellished eggs can be found in The Exquisite Egg: One Artist’s Embellished Creations (Et Alia Press, 2021). A lifelong member of the Garland County Historical Society, Isabel served on the Board of Directors for over 10 years. She is the editor of Garland County, Arkansas: Our History and Heritage, a 700-page compendium (2009). Isabel also edited and illustrated the cookbook, Delicious Memories (2009).
The Muses Project believes that classical artistic education, creative and critical thinking, and high-quality cultural experiences through live performance are not frivolous undertakings, but crucial to a well-rounded and healthy community.
The annual Kindred Spirit Gala is the Muses’ sole fundraiser. The success of this event enables us to plan sustainable programming for the upcoming performance Season, continue statewide brand expansion, and fulfill the Muses’ Mission.
On behalf of the Muses’ Board of Directors, staff, professional performers, young artists, and students, we send our deepest gratitude to this year’s lead sponsors, sustaining partners, and patrons. Your philanthropic support and belief in the life enhancing good work of the Muses Project, nourishes our souls, inspires and encourages us to pursue higher levels of artistic excellence.

Thank you for partnering with us in the belief that Beauty is Essential and Art Heals!
The Muses 2022
Voices of Angels
The Muses 2021
Voices of Angels
The Muses 2022
The Music Man
The Muses 2022
Celtic Spring
The Muses 2021
Voices of Angels
The Muses 2021 Broken Standards
Muses 2021 “Kindred Spirit” Award Honor Dinner
September 21st, AR Governor’s Mansion
Annual Fundraiser and Gala Concert
A Muses Kindred Spirit recognizes the value of the Arts to the educational, cultural, economic vitality and quality of life in this state, and leads by example, through creative cultivation & support for projects of excellence & inspiration.
2021 Honoree: Jane Wickard Rogers
Through her civic leadership, volunteerism, and impressive board service (having served as Director of Arkansas Heritage, becoming the first chairwoman for the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees, and president of the national governing board for Chi Omega Foundation), Jane has sought tirelessly to improve the quality of life and economic vitality of the state through Arts and Education. Currently, Jane serves on the Advisory Board of the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging at the UAMS, and the Arkansas Parks & Recreation Foundation, presently installing sculpture at Pinnacle Mountain State Park. For the past 13 years, Jane has served on the Sculpture at the River Market Committee, bringing over $3 million of public art to Little Rock.
“As a lover of all arts, my heart is filled by the performances and programs of the Muses Project. For centuries, the arts have been integral and important to society. As President George W. Bush said, ‘From music and dance and theatre to painting and sculpting, the arts allow us to explore new worlds and to view life from another perspective. They also encourage individuals to sharpen their skills and to nurture their imagination and intellect.’
Additionally, integrating the arts more fully into our lives enriches each of us. Engaging in the arts brings people together and fosters a sense of community. The Muses Project contributes greatly to this through their performances and community involvement. Their classical presentations of theatre and music both inspire and stimulate as they present a lively message.”
– Jane Rogers
The Muses Project believes that classical artistic education, creative and critical thinking, and high-quality cultural experiences through live performance are not frivolous undertakings, but crucial to a well-rounded and healthy community.
The annual Kindred Spirit Gala is the Muses’ sole fundraiser. The success of this event enables us to plan sustainable programming for the upcoming performance Season, continue statewide brand expansion, and fulfill the Muses’ Mission.
On behalf of the Muses’ Board of Directors, staff, professional performers, young artists, and students, we send our deepest gratitude to this year’s lead sponsors, sustaining partners, and patrons. Your philanthropic support and belief in the life enhancing good work of the Muses Project, nourishes our souls, inspires and encourages us to pursue higher levels of artistic excellence.
Thank you for partnering with us in the belief that Beauty is Essential and Art Heals!
2020 Kindred Spirit Gala
Honoring Arkansas’ Health Care Workers and First Responders
Excerpts from the keynote speech by Muses General Director, Deleen Davidson
The Muses’ Mission and dedication to preserving the Classical Arts through Performance and Education, attempts to tap into the “Power of Purpose” – a passion which can ignite, perhaps with early exposure to LIVE PERFORMANCE art, music, drama or dance. We’re all genuinely proud of that young person in our life, who displays artistic gifts early, until, heaven forbid, he or she enthusiastically declares a Liberal Arts Major, and then we are shocked and certain that that destiny leads to a life under a bridge (or in a family member’s spare room)! But, this honest, authentic passion, (and God given talent) pursued with discipline, and proper training, shepherded wisely, need not end in poverty or frustrated creative failure. When connected to proper education, business skills, entrepreneurial creativity, and community involvement, this passion can be refined into a life of lasting value, and perpetual renewal through shared exposure to other artists and audiences. A spark of life, excellence and beauty, transferred in ways no technology (artificial Intelligence), or mass media could hope to replicate or replace.
The Muses Project has an all-consuming desire for sharing and exposing the CLASSICAL “Great Minds” to the next Generation; inspiring a Life of Purpose, a quest for Knowledge - leaving ignorance to acquire Wisdom. A dedicated, disciplined approach to refining one’s natural talents, and working to escape one’s narrow self-centered mind, and Aspire to the highest quality attainable!
Learn from Excellence and Engagement with High Quality Thinking. Our honored Medical Professionals and First Responders, embody this pursuit. Doctors & Nurses, like Artists, are used to thinking outside the Box, (sometimes there is no Box). They are tenacious, independent, relentless. Compassionate. They strive to connect the dots (which others don’t even see), and follow the Road less Travelled. Often it is noted how those choosing the Medical Profession, also have a talent or passion for Music or other forms of Artistic Expression. Those creative “dot-connecting” skills … Art & Science are Sisters. And we call them The Healing Arts.
For this we are grateful, individually, as the Muses Project and as a State, to call these Healers, “Kindred Spirits”, and join with them and you and others to Choose Virtue, Discipline and Hard Work over Chaos & Ignorance or Violence! We choose Hope over despair. Inspired Ideas, over lack and frustration. And ultimately, Love over Greed and Hatred.
God help us with these choices!
If we partner with The Great Creator, and let Him direct our Talents and Passions, He will use our hands, our intellect, and our voices to fulfill our life’s purpose, and be a blessing one to another.
Just after 9/11, I recall hearing a Pastor respond to the heartbreaking question many were asking, in the face of such Evil and tremendous destruction and loss: “Where is God in this?” His answer was: “It took those terrorists years to plan and orchestrate this hateful attack, to Destroy, and Take lives. It took only seconds for LOVE and Courage to leap into these hearts, causing strangers to run into burning buildings to SAVE lives. To Preserve; not Destroy. There was God.
THANK YOU for joining us, in honor of these exceptional individuals, and to Celebrate their dedication and passion for Healing and Compassion for Humanity. Thank you to the Governor & First Lady for having us in their home, and to the terrific Staff of the Arkansas’ Governor’s Mansion!
I’d like to thank my Board of Directors, and Kindred Spirit Council for your ongoing Guidance and sustaining support. I want to thank my fantastic performing artists, my students, Young Artists and Volunteers for your dedication, professionalism, discipline, and kindness.
And to each guest, thank you for your support, and sponsorship, your generous patronage & gifts, contributing to The Muses, and to Art & Culture in your community.
We believe that Beauty is Essential, and Art Heals!
The Muses Project believes that classical artistic education, creative and critical thinking, and high-quality cultural experiences through live performance are not frivolous undertakings, but crucial to a well-rounded and healthy community. It is only through philanthropic support that high quality artistic programs, such as the Muses Project, will continue to exist in our communities.
“The arts contribute to our sense of collective spirit, of kindred spirit…
The Muses Project is inspiring cultural enlightenment for our times.”
– Thomas F. “Mack” McLarty, 2016 Kindred Spirit Award recipient.
