THIS WHEEL’S STILL ON FIRE: THE LEGACY OF LEVON HELM Will Open At Walton Arts Center
Exhibition at Alexander Gallery will explore life and influence of Arkansas musician.
Walton Arts Center's Alexander Gallery at the Porter Art Warehouse is honoring an Arkansas native and rock and roll legend with a new exhibition, This Wheel's Still On Fire: The Legacy of Levon Helm, June 16 – September 6.
“This exhibit gives audiences a rare, behind-the-scenes look at one of the most influential artists in American music history”, said Jennifer Ross, vice president of programming at Walton Arts Center. “We're thrilled to bring Levon Helm's legacy to life for fans and to present this exhibition in Arkansas.”
“This special exhibition is at the crossroads of visual and performing arts and shines a spotlight on the life of this influential artist who performed on our stage in 2009 in support of his album Electric Dirt.”
The public is invited to an opening reception for the exhibition 6 – 8 pm on Tuesday, June 16. The reception is free, but you must reserve your timed entry spot at www.waltonartscenter.org.
The exhibition explores the life, legacy and continued influence of Levon Helm. Curated by the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame, the exhibition features never-before-displayed items, including personal photographs, instruments from members of The Band, tour memorabilia, awards and interviews with friends and fellow musicians, including Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Max Weinberg and more.
This Wheel's Still On Fire will also allow guests to follow in Helm's footsteps and play the drums as Ramble Band guest drummer and multi-instrumentalist Charley Drayton provides a video tutorial.
From his earliest years growing up in Turkey Scratch, Arkansas, Helm was surrounded by music and community. Helm began his music career in high school when Ronnie Hawkins invited him to join his band.
By the early 1960s, Helm and Hawkins had recruited Canadian musicians Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson and Robbie Robertson to form Ronnie Hawkins & the Hawks. That lineup ultimately left Hawkins to form Levon and the Hawks, which later became Bob Dylan's backing group during his 1965/66 Electric Tour. By 1968, they released their seminal album, Music from Big Pink, and became known simply as The Band.
After The Band's 1976 performance in The Last Waltz, the original line-up parted ways, and Helm returned to Woodstock to build a home and studio. During this time, he focused on his solo music and acting career. The Band reunited in 1983 without Robbie Robertson and continued to record and tour.
In 1998, Helm was diagnosed with throat cancer, which impacted his vocal cords and singing voice. As a way of recovering from treatment, Helm began Midnight Rambles at his barn and studio in Woodstock. The concerts, inspired by late-night shows he saw in the Arkansas Delta as a teen, gathered community and musicians together and became a tradition know the world over. Through the Midnight Rambles, Helm regained his singing voice and went on to release three critically acclaimed, Grammy-nominated albums: Dirtfarmer, Electric Dirt and Ramble at the Ryman.
Before his death in 2012, Helm instructed friends and family to “keep it going,” and the Midnight Rambles continue today, led by Helm's daughter Amy Helm, keeping Helm's legacy alive, the community gathered and the music flowing. This exhibit invites guests to join in the song as we celebrate an artistic life well-lived, a connected community and Helm's artistic legacy.
Media support for this exhibition is provided by Experience Fayetteville. Lead support provided by Barbara Tyson in memory of Randal Tyson & Don Tyson who were friends and great fans of Levon Helm.
The Alexander Gallery at the Porter Art Warehouse is located at 212 N. West Ave. It is open Monday through Saturday 11 am-2 pm and Thursday through Saturday evenings 5-8 pm.
