Dr. Compton’s Iconic Neon Sign
Mike Abb, the Creative Director at Runway, recently shared the story behind the iconic neon sign located at Compton Gardens & Arboretum, which was once the home of Dr. Neil Compton. Read more below:
“It’s been a real pleasure getting to work on public art in my home town of #Bentonville. One of my most treasured partners is The Peel Compton Foundation who manages a number of historic properties across the city. One of those is the home of Dr. Neil Compton. Neil was a huge part of Arkansas history and is celebrated as the driving force behind keeping the Buffalo River from being dammed and ultimately getting it designated the country’s first National River in 1972. I grew up down the street from Neil and the neighborhood enjoyed his beautiful home site that stretched down Main Street featuring trees and plants from across the state.”
“Neil passed away in 1999 and his home has since become an event center and the grounds an arboretum that welcomes visitors into the beauty of the Ozarks. In 2017, the Razorback Greenway trail was built and wraps through the property on its way to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and in turn has brought thousands of visitors each week.”
“This key trailhead provided a great opportunity to visually celebrate the legacy of Neil. I reached out to frequent collaborator neon artist Todd Sanders from Roadhouse Relics to help us create a beautiful piece of art. The design shows Neil in his trusty canoe paddling the endless waves of the Buffalo. We animated the blue waves to create a perpetual movement which I like to think this is core of the artwork. The forward momentum Neil set in place for the state and the country to recognize and respect nature. It represents a momentum that should never stop, like the rolling waves of the river.”
