An Arkie’s Faith Ouachita National Park

Robinson declared, “The failure of the bill is a distinct disappointment. The measure will be reintroduced in the senate when Congress convenes again.”

Congressman Wingo appealed to supporters of the Ouachita National Park, “Do not get discouraged, forget the disappointment caused by the pocket veto of the bill, and keep in the fight until victory is won.” He finished his appeal by stating, “I have greater faith now that the Ouachita National Park will be established than I ever had before.”

The economic turmoil of the Great Depression put plans for a national park in the Ouachitas on the back burner. The idea has never been resurrected, and what might have been, is now buried on the dusty shelves of history.

When I think of all the hard work, planning, promoting, and lobbying the Ouachita National Park Foundation Society did to make the national park a reality and how close they came to success, I remember what I read in Proverbs 16:9 (NIRV) “In their hearts human beings plan their lives. But the Lord decides where their steps will take them.” cedars and straggly pines clinging to their unfriendly sides. Everywhere are springs, the purity of whose waters are unsurpassed. In the valleys are streams, broken by rapids and falls.”

But not everyone was in favor of a national park in the area. Roger W. Toll, the superintendent of the Rocky Mountain National Park, inspected the proposed park and asserted that the region did not meet the national park standards. He explained that the “Ouachita mountains are beautiful, attractive, luxuriant, verdant, friendly, and peaceful. They are not grand, spectacular, unique, nor superlative.” He concluded by saying, “The Ouachita area does not contain features nor scenery on a scale equal to, or even approaching, the majority of the national parks that have been established by Congress. The area would not add any new feature of importance to the national park system that is not already represented, in a higher degree, in the existing parks. In my opinion, the National Park Service cannot consistently recommend consideration of this area for a proposed national park.”

On December 5, 1927, Congressman Wingo introduced legislation in the House of Representatives to create the Ouachita National Park, with a similar bill being introduced in the Senate by Senator Robinson. Despite the reservation of the National Park Service administrators, the prospects for passage looked good.

On February 17, 1929, the U.S. Senate passed the bill without a dissenting vote. A few days later, the House passed the bill by a vote of 164 to 71. It looked like there would be a new National Park, with Mena being the main town near the park.

The supporters of the Ouachita National Park were excited when their hard work was rewarded by Congress passing the bill, but then were devastated when President Calvin Coolidge, at the last moment of his presidency, pocket-vetoed the legislation by refusing to sign the bill. Senator

As much as I feel for those who worked so hard to make a national park in our area a reality, I’m glad they were unsuccessful. Maybe I am selfish, but I love driving through the area that would have been a national park and still finding secluded places to enjoy the peaceful beauty of the Ouachitas. I can’t imagine what the area would be like if a national park had existed here for almost 100 years.

Gentle Reader, everyone experiences times of frustration over unfulfilled plans or dreams. When things don’t go how we hope, feeling disappointed is normal. We all have times when we aren’t where we want to be or where we think we should be.

But in those times, remember that “God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.” Romans 8:28 (VOICE)

“People may make plans in their minds, but only the Lord can make them come true.” Proverbs 16:1 (NCV)

Gallery

continued from page 1 able Mention ribbons awarded.

“I feel it’s extremely important that if a show has the word ‘national’ in front of it, it better be a quality show,” Lewis said. “When I saw it online — first of all, small paintings are hard to photograph, because sometimes the lines won’t be as clear. Small paintings are more difficult to do than a large one. I was kind of disappointed with it online, but it’s so much better than I expected it to be in person.”

There is a noticeable difference in viewing the works up close and personal versus in print or on an electronic device.

Lewis commented on the Best of Show winner “Winter Was Hard” by Benjamin Water. “Even online, I was drawn to that painting. First of all, the composition is very nice. The focal point is set slightly off center, which is good. He’s done such a beautiful job of these cool colors — his arrangement of those colors — a bit of light on the tree, then the mountain in the back is lit. I felt like the handling of the paint and everything about it was really quality work.”

The image of a crescent moon above a mountain with the tree in the foreground has a lot of depth and dimension, which is another thing Lewis said drew her to it.

“I just think it’s beautifully done.”

The first-place painting by Theresa Grillo Laird is done plein air, meaning ‘out of doors.’ Lewis said, “I loved the handling of the paint in that. You don’t have a lot of time, which makes it even more impressive. She’s worked her warm and cool colors beautifully. The hill in the back has good dimension to it. The composition is very nice. It moves the eye around in the painting. I just felt like it was really deserving.”

New Mena Art Gallery Executive Director Taye Kaye said, “Artists, in order to build their careers, they need to win awards from certain shows that are juried that have a certain caliber of judge. This is a Signature art gallery, so that’s significant too. If they win an award at this gallery, they receive that Signature Status.”

There are many of the paintings by artists from other states, but Arkansas, including Polk County, is well represented. “Arkansas has a lot of outstanding artists,” Lewis said.

“People are shocked when they come to this gallery, particularly during these two national shows, that we have this kind of quality in Mena,” Lewis said. “Mena has a lot of outstanding artists anyway. I always felt it was vitally important considering our location, because we can’t walk into a New York gallery and see outstanding work. The artists here, not to mention children and the other people live here, they need to see what good artwork is and be able to learn from it. A lot of people come to Mena – from Little Rock, Hot Springs, Fayetteville — specifically for these shows.”

“It makes it attractive to people who are visiting from out of the area. It says something about the community and the artists are supported.

The show went on display May 3 and will remain available for free public viewing through June 23. The public is welcome to come enjoy the art and vote for their favorite in the People’s Choice category. Artwork is also available for purchase.