Interviews

Jackie Wolven ~ Graphics Designer - BIG.

How did you discover Eureka Springs?

My husband and I have been looking at "The Best Small Town" type books for so long and Eureka always comes up as one of the best places to live. Both as a small town and as an art community. We grew up in Southern California and have lived in San Francisco for over 8 years (with a year off to live in an Intentional Community in Missouri) and had always dreamed of living in a small town.

What brought you here and what convinced you to relocate?

Then our daughter was entering middle school and the school in San Francisco that she was attending had over 2,500 kids in it and the teachers seemed really ineffective.

Just about the time that I pulled her out of school to home school her we got a copy of the Times Echo in the mail from the Chamber of Commerce. It had the Scholarship program from Clear Spring School.

I asked my daughter if she wanted to apply and she said sure... not thinking we had a chance in hell to get into the school. Surprise, surprise Jerry RunnerSmith called to say that she had been accepted. We were here a month after that even though none of us had ever been here before (except my husband remembers coming to see the Passion Play over 25 years ago).

Can you give us a little background on your company? What do you do and what accomplishments are you most proud of?

What do you do and what accomplishments are you most proud of? Although BIG is a new endeavor I think that it fills a need in this community. There is an edgier, funkier part of Eureka Springs that isn't highlighted. Plus the format is so different. Easy to read, personal, and fun. We are like a best friend telling you about a band that you must see. We are a no news newspaper for the entire region, not just Eureka Springs and hopefully that will drive business all over the community and expand folks horizons... but mostly I hope that we all just have a great time.

As a business person what are the benefits you find being located in Eureka Springs? Are there any drawbacks?

I have been in marketing for over 13 years and truly it doesn't matter where you live. It helps to have an understanding of the communities that you are serving, but you can live anywhere. Most of my business is done through a computer so it doesn't really matter where I live, but it is nice to have a thriving, artistic, and left leaning population around you. It makes doing something a little risky less scary.

If you were coming here on vacation what would your list of "must see or do" agenda include?

Well, I would check out who was playing at the Auditorium. They run some first rate acts and you may not be able to see them in your town. Shopping, of course. There are so many great shops here, Wild Blue Yonder, Something Simple, Vintage Cargo, Eureka Trading Company... they offer great pieces. Then I would hunt the galleries and studios. There are so many amazing artists here and the work is beautiful.

What would your ideal "night on the town" in Eureka Springs consist of?

It depends, we love the folksy charm of the parades and the events that center around each of the festivals, but if it was just a quite night in January we might catch some of Catherine Reed at the Basin or Larry and Pearl Brick at the Crescent. Dinner at Ermillios is a wonderful experience and if we are out with our daughter we head over to Sparky's and then a walk around the town. It is a walking town, right?

What do you think of the people that live here? How vital is the diversity of the residents to your idea "perfect community"?

There seem to be many divisions in the population. Now I am really new so I could be getting this wrong, but there seems to be those who have lived here forever and those who are relative newbies. There are also those that have businesses on Hwy 62 and those who are downtown. Those who live in the Historical District and everyone else. And those are just a few... but mainly the folks have been amazingly friendly.

I am used to getting on a bus in San Francisco and not talking with anyone for the duration of the ride and that isn't the case here in Eureka. When you walk into a shop or in a restaurant you are greeted and small talk ensues. I think every community can be more and more diverse. Tolerance is the huge issue for this century whether you are in a big city or in a small town. Practicing kindness helps every community.

What if any outdoor activities do you enjoy pursuing in the area?

Well, I am a walker but my husband rides his mountain bike through Lake Leatherwood. The trails have been kept up so well by OORC. I can't get over the beauty of the area and the seasons. Coming from California that is a treat.

Eureka Springs has quite a fascinating history. How important do you feel this is in today's fast paced world?

Knowing where you came from and where you live is vital to not repeating the same mistakes and creating a solid community. If you can say you are proud to live in the town that you live in that is an amazing thing and being able to tell people where you came from takes that just one step further. Plus great things happened here. Carry Nation, the culture around the springs, the native American tribes that populated the area, and even the resurgence of the hippies in the 70's. That all adds to the richness of the town.

What does Eureka Springs mean to you?

Living in a community where you feel safe is a wonderful feeling, making friends that feel like they could last a life time, and the possibility of someday owning a home is an amazing thing. I feel so blessed to be part of a community that is so rich and positive. It feels like coming home.

What feelings did you have the first time you stepped foot in Eureka?

Kind of like I had stepped into Knott's Berry Farm. I worked there as a kid taking tin type photos and it has the same feel. Heck, anywhere that you can buy funnel cake on any given day is like living in an amusement park. I guess you could say this is one of the happiest places on earth.

Has being in Eureka Springs lived up to your expectations?

Well, we have only been here since September, but I am hopeful. I want to become a vital part of the community and really pitch in. I'll keep you posted. Currently I just feel really grateful that we made it here.