Kody Ford is Giving Credit Where Credit is Due with The Black Apple Awards

About the Show:The biggest surprise was how vibrant the art community was. When my family moved to Northwest Arkansas, I didn’t know what to expect. I knew Crystal Bridges, but that was a museum. What I wasn’t sure about was the local art scene. Or if creators were toiling in relative obscurity. What was it like for them?! Once I got here, I met several local artists and realized that the local art/creator scene was very vibrant and well-supported. We have had a few of these artists and creators on the show, like Shelley Mouber, Kinya Christian, and Jake Lewis, just to name a few. These guys and so many others are working hard to establish the creative hub that Northwest Arkansas has become. Kody Ford, Founder of The Idle Class Magazine, is helping to shepherd this process by covering the art/creator scene with a magazine platform. He and his team have been working hard since 2011 to create this forum. One of his creations is the Black Apple Awards celebration. This event is a celebration to acknowledge all of the creatives in the area and highlight many making a difference with their bold ideas and art. This will be the first year that they have been back since the start of the pandemic, and they have two years of pent-up creativity to acknowledge. You can celebrate The Black Apple Awards with Kody and the rest of Northwest Arkansas on March 25th at 6 PM. Click here to get tickets.The Idle Class Magazine celebrates the creative life in Arkansas. Established in 2011, the organization bridges the creative bubbles across the state by providing a media platform for artists through print, online, and podcast mediums.All this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast. Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email The Idle Class MagazineWebsite for The Idle Class MagazineThe Idle Class Magazine on InstagramThe Idle Class Magazine on FacebookI am Northwest Arkansas article in The Idle Class This episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" Try Canva For Free Today! Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!" *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at [email protected] With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:Winetopia 2026Winetopia 2026 Date: Friday, October 16th Time: 7-10pm Place: Stonebreaker Hotel on Markham hill Winetopia is Restore Humanity’s biggest annual fundraiser and brings together the very best of Northwest Arkansas (restaurants, artisans, small businesses, and (community members) to support our work. While the event raises essential funds for children in Kenya, its heartbeat is entirely local. There are over 100 local businesses who contribute auction items, regional chefs and beverage makers who showcase their craft, and the hundreds of residents gathering to celebrate community generosity. Winetopia strengthens local partnerships, elevates homegrown talent, and reinforces Northwest Arkansas's identity as a place where global compassion is fueled by local collaboration. Winetopia is a beautiful demonstration of how a united local community can create life-changing impact for children and families worldwide. Winetopia 2026