Prepare yourself for slower traffic! From widening roads to replacing bridges, road crews are gearing up for several major projects across Northwest Arkansas.

• The long haul: AR-DOT and the city of Rogers are joining forces to widen Hwy 71B between Dixieland Rd and 8th St with a 12-ft center turning lane, upgrades to several intersections, and new sidewalks. The project could take up to 6 years to complete.
• Under the bridge: Other work this year includes improvements to Hwy 59, adding passing lanes between Sulphur Springs and Decatur, and replacing the decades-old Hwy 59 bridge that crosses the Illinois River with two new spans.

Find more information HERE.

The University of Arkansas's School of Art has officially opened its new Studio and Design Center in the Windgate Art and Design District, made possible by over $40m in donations from the Windgate Charitable Support Foundation. 

• Creative hub: The 154,000 sq-ft center is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that will provide students with a wide range of creative outlets such as studio art programs, graphic design programs, and the new graduate Master of Design degree.
• Grand opening: Stop by for a coffee at the Arsaga's Café to catch a glimpse of student-designed items from ceramics, photography, drawings, and more, and mark your calendars for the Grand Opening event to celebrate the new center on Saturday, May 6. 

Read more about the art school's new facility HERE. 

Northwest Arkansas National Airport recorded 62,354 passengers in January, achieving the second-best January in the airport's history. 

• Second to one: The only time the airport saw more boardings in January was in 2020, which boarded a total of 67,306 passengers.
• New heights: XNA is poised for an even better Febraury and March, with new nonstop service to Phoenix and Orlando via Breeze Airways on the horizon.

Take off with FareFlightNWA for more information HERE. 

NWA Daily has surpassed 25,000 subscribers! We're grateful to be part of this growing community that makes living in our unique corner of Arkansas so enjoyable!

• Why we do it: We love calling attention to the businesses, nonprofits, artists, and culture creators that make NWA one of America's most exciting places to be, and we want everyone who lives here to feel like they can be a tourist in their own hometown!
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Listening Forest, created by artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, will return to Crystal Bridges, providing another opportunity to enjoy this one-of-a-kind collision of art and technology that immerses visitors in a poetic and interactive experience with the forest.

• Your response:  Each section of the exhibition is responsive to different interactions; for instance, add your heartbeat to an array of 3,000 lightbulbs, control giant light figures, and leave a voice recording that will join a chorus of echoes left by other forest visitors.
• Dates and rates: The forest will be open every Wednesday-Sunday evening from Mar 1 - May 28. Prices range from $15 to $27, and kids 18 and under are free. 

Plan your visit to the Listening Forest HERE.