Education

Thaden School's Community-Based Learning

Cultivating Confident Future Leaders For A Generation of Neighbors To Be Proud Of Article by Michelle Bazis | Photography by Thaden School The word “home” doesn’t always represent four walls and a roof. For some, “home” is a place or a feeling you get around a particular person. When crafting the 2025 “Home” Issue, we wanted to take a different approach. Rather than focusing exclusively on real estate or design, we wanted to dive into what makes Bentonville the kind of place people are proud...

Arts + Culture

Bentonville: Dayton Castleman's Bilbao

Why The Artist And Placemaker Risked His Career For Bentonville Article by Michelle Bazis | Photography by Michelle Bazis & Dayton Castleman If you’ve recently enjoyed trivia night at The HUB Bike Lounge or shopped Two Friends Books at 8th Street Marketplace, you’ve engaged with the work of artist, curator, and educator, Dayton Castleman.  Verdant Studio’s Director of Creative Placemaking and Artist Lead, Castleman hails from New Orleans with a robust arts background peppering cities like...

Home + Design

Design For Your Lifestyle

Beautiful Home Design Reflects Those Living Inside - Even The Foster Pets! Article and Photography by Michelle Bazis Situated a stone’s throw from Airship at the Pumphouse, Lee Anne Stelte’s Pineapple Cottage welcomes her White Line Designs clientele with charming curb appeal, functional and fashionable furniture, and personalized decor that tells her story. While her Bentonville oasis is curated for her lifestyle, the same experience can be expected when walking into any of the residential or...

Life + Culture

In Season Since 1991

How Debbie Matteri's Boutique Has Evolved With Bentonville Article and Photography by Michelle Bazis The incomparable Ms Debbie Matteri and her In Season boutique have been Downtown Bentonville staples since 1991. The Arkansas native began her entrepreneurial journey as a home economics student at the University of Arkansas crafting custom towel wraps for sorority sisters.  I had to pay my way through college, so I did two things,” she said. “I started a towel wrap business and I went to all...

Life + Culture

It Started With A Bike

How Vernon merged passion and volunteerism to cultivate community assets Article and Photography by Michelle Bazis “I’m just a guy from Joplin who likes to ride bikes.”After celebrating 40 years of working with the Walmart family, Gary Vernon’s list of Bentonville contributions can be traced back to one simple fact: He loves riding bikes. Born and raised in Joplin, Missouri, Vernon has always had a thing for two-wheeled activities and currently oversees all things related to trail development...

Life + Culture

She's Telling A New Story

Allyson de la Houssaye is using bikes to build community and rewrite Arkansas' story Article by Michelle Bazis | Photography by Michelle Bazis and Kate Austin The beauty of Bentonville’s magnetism is the type of people it attracts - Creative and ambitious thinkers from around the world, like Allyson de la Houssaye. The consultant from Cleveland arrived in Bentonville in 2013 and has since collected an impressive list of local leadership titles with organizations like Women of OZ, People for...

Arts + Culture

Breaking The Mold

Brightwater's Alternative Ethos Ushers New Age of Culinary Professionals Article and Photography by Michelle Bazis Bentonville is crafting community with intention, one project at a time, and few spaces embody local loyalty quite like our very own Brightwater. More than just a culinary school, Brightwater is tackling current issues in food education while prepping its students to usher in a more innovative and mindful future for the culinary industry. “We’re on our own pathway for what we...

Fitness

san studio: sculptural, spacial, soulful

The genesis of Bentonville's premier XFormer Pilates studio & boutique. Article by Michelle Bazis | Photography by Stori Photos If you were to merge the airy ambiance of coastal Australia and the luxury of urban New York City, with the stylish wellness culture of Los Angeles, what would you get? Something akin to Alexandra Hesse’s san studio and boutique in Downtown Bentonville. The Aussie-native found herself launching Bentonville’s premier XFormer Pilates studio and lifestyle boutique...

Health + Wellness

Mertins' Vision of Health

Dr. Allyson Mertins' Guide to Great Eye Health Article by Michelle Bazis | Photography by Rett Peek Photography & Freckled Fox Photography What makes Mertins unique? My goal was to provide a personal, boutique experience for my patients and eyewear customers. I also wanted to bring handcrafted, luxury eyewear to NWA because I realized there was a huge, unmet demand. Your family loves mountain biking - Explain the importance of vision care for athletes.  We are very passionate about...

Beauty

New Year, Great Skin

Dermatologist, Dr. Missy Clifton, debunks skincare myths and shares her Premier tips for a healthy and youthful glow. Article by Michelle Bazis What is the single best thing we can do to improve the health of our skin? The single most effective action you can take to improve the health of your skin is to protect it from the sun. Exposure to UV rays can lead to premature aging, wrinkles, and even skin cancer. Therefore, wearing a daily sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection is essential...