A Very Dolly Day in Dumas and in the ARK: WE CAN ALL LEARN KINDNESS FROM DOLLY

SAVE THE DATE: SEPTEMBER 25, 2026 | 3:30-4:30 | Part One of the Day is listed now. FREE Admission. Everyone Welcome.

We can all learn about kindness from Dolly. When we do, our cities, our country, our world will be better. Dolly (featured in this site) said the most kindness comment regarding how Whitney Houston redid her song, I Will Always Love You. Who knows, our tributes may continue this trend. Come out to witness.

{May 1992. Whitney Houston was ready to give up on "I Will Always Love You" after 13 failed takes. Then she closed her eyes and sang from a place of raw, private pain. The improvised vocal run that came out made the studio freeze. David Foster cried. Dolly Parton pulled her car over, sobbing. Music changed forever in those 3 minutes and 32 seconds. This is the untold story of perfection.}

From The College of Aspiring Artists and The Legacy Center in West Dumas, it's about, Edutainment: Education, Arts and Creativity. Ms. Dolly is exemplary. She took it further, Philanthropy and more... and so shall we.

[Want a Keepsake Ticket for Your Memories. Register Here].

NOW MEET 'Young Olivia'

She comes to share a message of Kindness. One in a tribute to how Dolly's kindness inspires. A vision she calls: The Spark Effect. 'Young Olivia' will say to persons of all ages why and how kindness from Dumas to DC can transform a culture to more greatly model THE CREATOR, GOD,

THE HAPPENINGS

From International Status to Rural Arkansas, Ms. Dolly Parton will always be loved. 'Young Olivia' will be one of the program participants. Others will share when they met Ms. Parton and what her legacy means to them. Read on to see how you may become a part of this historic moment.

This significant tribute brings to Dumas and Arkansas, a history worth celebrating and preserving and all of us from Dumas, Arkansas, say together... WE WILL.

This site shares how Dumas became a partner with her legacy in 2019. It reveals a model from Dolly Pardon on how to take talent and turn it into a gift. How to nurture and be nurtured by people who appreciate what creativity and passion can do.

With this example, this site invites Dumas to continue to develop our creativity and support great legacies; Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow.

WE GOT NOW means we take the baton and keep moving forward with a legacy such as Ms. Parton.

Our college, The College of Aspiring Artists, thanks the Dumas Library, Hunter Bennett (Librarian at the time of the opening of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library), Dr. Sarah Simon, we give a tremendous shout out to you for your endowments and leadership.

We thank everyone who has and who join in this wonderful investment into our future.

Join The College of Aspiring Artists, The Legacy Center in West Dumas and sponsoring partners to make this day and our special tribute a great event on September 25, 2026 and beyond, "A Very Dolly Day in Dumas."

HISTORIC

NEWS RELEASE

DUMAS, ARKANSAS (August 30, 2019) – On Tuesday, September 24, 2019, Dr. Arthur Hunt, Jr. hosted an informational meeting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Dumas Public Library to discuss launching a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program to serve all children, ages 0 to 5, in Desha County. Hunt was asked to advance the project through his role as Founder/CEO of The College of Aspiring Artists and most recently his leadership in writing and receiving the grant for the REDI Award.  REDI is Rural Economic Development Innovation. 

The grant was awarded to the West Dumas Family Life and Legacy Center to bring economic advances through education, arts, housing and creativity. Backbone Partner is ASC Property Management.

All interested community members were encouraged to attend the meeting to learn more about this new program, which will be a community-wide effort involving schools, churches, childcare facilities, businesses, the medical community and other volunteers.

Once the program launched, all children from birth to age 5 will be eligible to receive a free book in the mail once a month. Age-appropriate, high-quality books will be mailed directly to children’s homes to promote early childhood literacy.

OUTCOME: IT HAPPENED. Success has occurred and, in this moment, beyond her death, we want to infuse more to expand her legacy. Maybe you were not a part of the inception. No Worries. You can be a part going forward... STARTING NOW.

1. Add your talent and be a part of this historic salute: To be considered prepare your poem/or a short (1 minute) snippet/sample of a Dolly Parton song....

2. If you met Dolly, share a short (2-minute) story. Please email what you desire to do: thecreativeeconomy@gmail.com or call: 870.623.8179