Wildlife-inspired murals draw attention to Little Rock nature center

LITTLE ROCK — The Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center in Little Rock provided plenty of canvas space for a recently unveiled collection of murals.

Work by Fayetteville artist Jason Jones was revealed to the public June 24 on four exterior walls of the center at 602 President Clinton Ave. in the River Market District. The images feature fauna native to Arkansas, including mockingbirds, crayfish, opossum, catfish, eastern wild turkey, bobcats and other species, all set among backgrounds of natural habitats drawn by Jones.

The designs cover about 200 linear feet of wall space. They’re one of many embellishments to the center to revitalize displays and draw new audiences to nature in Downtown Little Rock.

The Downtown Little Rock Partnership and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission collaborated on the project. Jones, who’s also a sculptor and painter, has created murals in Fayetteville and other cities.

The nature center, 501-253-1083, is open 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Visit www.agfc.com/things-to-do/nature-centers/little-rock for information about the center, or like their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/centralarkansasnaturecenter.