Image: Fort Smith Regional Art Museum
Fort Smith Regional Art Museum is presenting 'Our Common Ground', its annual invitational exhibition featuring works by more than 100 local, regional and national artists. The exhibition opened June 26 and runs through October 25, 2026, at the museum in Fort Smith, Arkansas. According to the museum, the show is built around the idea of artistic connection across boundaries, including geographical and cultural ones.
The museum describes 'Our Common Ground' as a national competitive exhibition that recognizes professional artists while also fostering art appreciation within the community. Works in the exhibition are for sale, with proceeds benefiting both artists and RAM. The museum also says visitors can vote in person for their favorite artwork for the People's Choice Award, with results tallied through the run of the exhibition.
RAM’s website identifies the exhibition as one of its current summer offerings alongside other shows and education programs. The museum presents itself as a downtown Fort Smith institution with free general admission, five galleries, a sculpture garden and murals, and a broader schedule of exhibitions and public programs. Within that context, 'Our Common Ground' sits at the center of RAM’s current exhibition lineup and annual invitational activity.
The museum has also highlighted a free guided tour of 'Our Common Ground' scheduled for Sunday, July 19, at 2 pm. The tour will be led by a trained gallery educator, and museum admission and tours are free. In the museum’s announcement, the guided visit is framed as a way to get an in-depth look at the exhibition and its participating artists.
Among the works named in the museum’s email are 'McIntosh Lake' by Benjamin Dobbs, 'The Messengers' by Amy Eichler, 'Untitled Woman in Chair' by Rashawn Pennister and 'Midnight Sonata' by Stewart Lawrence. The museum’s promotion singles these out as examples of the many artworks included in the invitational, which spans artists from the region and beyond.
The exhibition opened with a reception on June 26, from 5 to 7 pm, when awards were announced. After that opening night, 'Our Common Ground' remains on view until October 25, 2026, at Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Avenue. Visitors can view the exhibition during the museum’s regular hours and cast their People's Choice vote during the run of the show.
