-
Numbers climbing: Arkansas now at 12 monkeypox cases
-
The old revolving door: Asa staffer heads to the lobby
-
In the governor’s race, Chris Jones supports adult use marijuana vote, Sarah Sanders stays mum
-
Arkansas Secretary of State’s office: Not enough signatures for Pope Co. anti-casino bill to hit Nov. ballot
-
The news roundup and open line
-
The mysterious case of Beebe’s interstate trashbins
-
Mayor Frank Scott Jr. files for reelection
-
COVID today: Hospital numbers are improving
-
Recent studies rank Arkansas poorly for children’s health, families
-
Accidental drowning suspected in death of Arkansas judge
LOCAL NEWS
Murphy Foundation and Murphy USA Charitable Foundation Kick Start SAAC

Murphy Foundation and Murphy USA Charitable Foundation Kick Start SAAC Expansion with combined gift of $600,000
El Dorado AR (July 1, 2022) - The Murphy Family Foundation and Murphy USA Charitable Foundation announced dual gifts of $300,000 each to kickstart the fundraising campaign, Reaching Higher, as a matching challenge to the community.
“We are excited that the South Arkansas Arts Center is embarking on this campaign to expand the amazing work they are doing in our community to further the arts. We know this gift will allow SAAC to continue to grow and encourage the community to join us in helping the South Arkansas Arts Center ‘Reach Higher,’” said Andrew Clyde, President of Murphy USA Charitable Foundation.
The gift was presented at the campaign kickoff on Thursday as South Arkansas Arts Center officials revealed plans for a $1.9 million expansion to the SAAC facilities on Fifth Street in El Dorado. The construction project, which is expected to take about nine months to complete, will be accessibility-focused and will include a parking-lot entrance, elevator, expanded restrooms, commercial kitchen facility and additional classroom space for educational programs. The project will enhance the facility’s appearance and improve the primary entrance on the west façade of the building.
Project details were presented by SAAC Executive Director, Laura Allen, and Campaign Chair, Beth Burns. They introduced project architect Michael Rogers of Michael Rogers Designs. Rogers provided the public renderings of the new facilities. Allen explained that the project was originally conceptualized by architectural designer and longtime SAAC board member Richard Wharton. As part of the Murphy Foundation’s gift, a new balcony overlooking the west entrance will be dedicated in honor of Wharton’s vision for the SAAC.
“This renovation is the culmination of a decades-long goal to make SAAC’s building accessible, welcoming, and safe for our patrons, regardless of their age or ability,” said Laura Allen. “The South Arkansas Arts Center’s mission for almost 60 years has been to bring artistic expression directly to people of all ages, cultural, social, and racial groups, and we want our building to embody that mission.”
Michael Rogers worked with Wharton and architectural consultant to the board of directors Elbert Godwin to design an efficient expansion plan that makes the most of the center’s spacious facility, which
-MORE-
has been the center’s home since its founding in 1964. The trio worked with SAAC’s board to develop a plan that addresses the changing needs of the community and improves the building’s long-term viability as a cultural touchstone of the region.
“It has been a privilege to work alongside a local organization with such a rich history in El Dorado. Through this project, the South Arkansas Arts Center will be able to better and further provide an essential need in serving our community through the arts. This building addition not only provides better accessibility to all areas of the existing facility, it also expands those resources in order to provide more opportunities to those it serves,” Rogers said.
To make this vision a reality, the board assembled a capital campaign committee and tasked them with reaching a $1.9 million goal. In addition to Beth Burns, the committee includes Rudy Bright, Tim Butler, Paul Choate, Lynn Dwight, George Maguire, Margy Niel, Molly Shepherd, Drew Sheppard, Ann Trimble, Wharton, Elizabeth Young, and Burns as chair. Ex-officio members include Allen, Assistant Executive Director John Lowery, Facilities Chair Crystal Willis, and Board President Paul Burns.
“Through the generosity of key donors, the committee has raised almost $1.4 million, including a $300,000 contribution from SAAC general operating funds, contributions from the Murphy Family Foundation and the Murphy USA Charitable Foundation, and generous pledges from other donors, including Elaine and Claiborne Deming,” according to Beth Burns, “we are asking the community to provide the final push to meet the goal.” The campaign is structured to accept gifts of any size, tailored to the giver’s schedule.
Architectural renderings and “Reaching Higher” campaign materials are available at the SAAC office, located at 110 East Fifth Street, El Dorado, Arkansas. For additional information about the project, call SAAC office at 870-862-5474 or visit the website at www.saac-arts.org. The South Arkansas Arts Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions are tax-deductible.