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Read More about this safari issue.For those following economic trends in Northwest Arkansas, it’s no surprise that Todd Sanders, an Austin, TX, artist, caught the attention of local American art collectors. The team at OZ Art NWA championed his projects, and today, the most extensive public collection of his works is on display around Downtown Bentonville.
Photo by Jennie Kim, used with permission from Roadhouse Relics.
Todd Sanders began his art journey as a child. In college, he studied advertising and art design and began sign painting to pay tuition. But a lost route led him to Austin, and he knew after seeing a giant neon insect at a pest control store that his future was illuminated before him, making art like that!
Known for his keen eye for design and ability to manifest what he visualizes, neon as a medium made an easy transition from vintage sign painting.
He opened his first neon art studio in 1995 after making his first vintage neon sign two years before. Since then, he’s grown multiple businesses in Austin, Texas, landing on The New York Times list of must-do stops in Austin.
Sanders has partnered with celebrities like Willie Nelson, Shepard Fairey, Norah Jones, Johnny Depp, ZZ Top and Kings of Leon for commissioned work. A partnership with his friends Junk Gypsies landed a commission piece, “Fireflies in a Mason Jar,” for Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton’s wedding. Several magazines recognize him as a fine artist, including Esquire, Fortune, Texas Monthly, Southern Living, Southwest Airlines’ Spirit and Signs of the Times.
Sanders’s most notable works follow a vintage style of new design resembling a vintage roadhouse look. He pays homage to the original 1930s and 1940s artists who made Route 66 famous with their roadside design. His creative touch brings a vintage design to new art.
Andy Warhol, Dan Flavin, and Robert Rauschenberg inspire his work. His first one-person art show in a gallery in Nantucket with his pieces sharing walls with Warhol was a humbling experience of “arrival.”
Sanders creates from his heart. While he often partners with commissioners or other public artists, he’s perfectly content pulling the design from his heart, knowing that he will keep it if it doesn’t sell. “It’s like I’m saying ‘Todd was here’ when a piece finds its public home.”
I like to make art that your kids will fight over when you die!”
As an artist, he loves that his works have really two views. With neon, you have the painted background and mechanics of the lights you can see during the day, but as dusk turns to night, the pieces of art come alive, and the actual effect of the work of art illuminates.
Often, neon signs were road markers or attention grabbers before passersby knew they were experiences. With Route 66 serving as the first highway truly connecting sections of the country, many came to love the visual effect that drew attention and marked memories. Sanders and other artists like him are recreating the same experiences with public art, murals, lighted designs and melded treasures.
And, lucky for Arkansans, we always get to see his master craft on display!
A walking tour around downtown Bentonville will lead you to most of the pieces and many other public art displays. The Oz NWA Art trail will pass many of these pieces and a few extras. I started the path to a few driving spots. Next, park and walk around the square and downtown area, then return to your car to finish the tour.
Drive to the square, find a parking spot and walk toward your first destination.
Cross through the alley toward Main Street and continue to the next piece.
Grab a treat and return to your car to finish your tour by driving to other destinations.
Photo by Jennie Kim, used with permission from Roadhouse Relics
I first learned about Todd Sanders’s art on the Big on Bentonville tour. Once they pointed out his unique style, I recognized it around many corners. The Big on Bentonville tour is fun for a date night, with out-of-town guests or with friends.
Once you buy your tickets, the tour guide will contact you about your meeting spot. Our guides were knowledgeable about the history of downtown Bentonville and had insider knowledge about real estate, celebrity sightings, new businesses, and where to find the best food! They even helped point out some of the Fixer to Fabulous renovated homes and local spots used for movies.
Learn More about Todd Sanders’ Art
Roadhouse Relics | Instagram | FB – Roadhouse Relics | FB – Todd Sanders Art
Learn more about Downtown Bentonville
Downtown Bentonville Inc. | Visit Bentonville | OZ Art NWA | Public Art
Interviews with Todd
Images were taken in person by the author, original work by Todd Sanders, Roadhouse Relics, unless otherwise noted.
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