WYLDE West

203 NE A Street, Bentonville, AR

CURATED BY ALEX BODISHBAUGH

Available Artwork

About WYLDE West

Located in and around WYLDE's storefront, an old American Legion building off of the Downtown Bentonville Square, WYLDE West features art that explores the enduring nature of Western motif in American culture and fashion. The installation pulls inspiration from cowboys, rugged landscapes, and other motif that continues to be a source of inspiration for artists, designers, and creatives alike.

WYLDE's retail offerings feature a variety of vintage clothing, small batch goods and garments, all carefully and thoughtfully sourced. Both the art and clothing in the space reflect the unique fashion identity of the region; resourcefulness and grit. 

The Western motif provides a rich canvas for exploring a variety of artistic expressions, from the romanticism of the cowboy lifestyle to the darker side of Western expansion. This exhibition seeks to showcase the complexity of the Western motif in contemporary art and culture. Through a selection of clothing by emerging regional artists, WYLDE West hopes to provide a window into the many ways this motif continues to captivate.

ARTISTS

Ricki Scheef, Shaye Anderson

About Alex Bodishbaugh

Alex Bodishbaugh is an interdisciplinary artist and curator based in Northwest Arkansas. A Fayetteville, Arkansas native, Alex received a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Arkansas thinking she would pursue campaign management. While in school, Alex began working in retail, which led her down an ecommerce, marketing and graphic design path. Alex continued in the ecommerce space for a decade, transforming a small business into a nationally recognized brand, before leaving to pursue her own art and curation career in 2021.

Alex’s curatorial projects are focused on activating unexpected venues, creating immersive experiences and forging new connections between artists and the community. In spring 2022, Alex’s first solo venture, Nostalgia, transformed an empty 7,000 square foot Banana Republic store at the NWA Mall into an experiential pop up art exhibit, featuring 27 artists, 120+ works and a variety of interactive elements. She is excited to partner with INTERFORM on a project for Summer 2023.