Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars and make plans to join us!
Past Events
Take a look at some of our past events below!
7th Annual Fall Food & Craft Fair
Thank you to everyone who came to our 7th Annual Fall Food & Craft Fair on October 6th!
This fun event featured handmade arts and crafts from artists with intellectual and development disabilities across Arkansas. Proceeds from this event directly support these artisans and provide not only a source of income, but immense pride as well.
If you missed it, you can always show your support by visiting The Blue Umbrella inside the main lobby of DHS at 700 Main Street in downtown Little Rock. We are open week days 10 AM - 2 PM or you can also shop online at www.blueumbrellaar.org/shop.
2023 Farmer's Market
The annual Farmer’s Market event was held on June 23, 2023 and showcases homegrown plants and produce, plus handmade arts and crafts made by residents at each of the five DHS Human Development Centers.
Grilled hamburgers and hotdogs were available for purchase to support the HDC Resident Holiday Gift Fund.
It was a fun filled day and a great opportunity to pick up some one-of-a-kind products and meet our incredible artists and staff.
The Blue Umbrella's 4th Birthday
The Blue Umbrella's 4th birthday celebration was held on Friday, February 10, 2023.
Several artists were on hand to meet and greet close to 125 customers that came through to look at and buy hand-made crafts, eat some delicious birthday cake, chat with the artists, and just have some fun!
With your support, our mission to celebrate intellectually and developmentally disabled Arkansans will continue into another year, and we couldn’t be more excited!
We're looking forward to Year 5!
2022 Christmas Open House
The Blue Umbrella's annual Christmas Open House was held on Friday, December 2nd. This event kicks off the holiday shopping season and features beautiful handmade items from individuals across the state with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Over 250 shoppers visited The Blue Umbrella during the day and our artists had a very successful day.
The Blue Umbrella's next event will be held in February when they celebrate their 4th birthday.
6th Annual Fall Food & Craft Fair
The Division of Developmental Disabilities Services held our sixth annual fall food and craft fair on Friday, October 7, 2022. This event showcases handmade products by artists from all five Human Development Centers and numerous community providers across the state of Arkansas. Porch signs, handwoven rugs, magnets, plants, wreaths, and jewelry were just a few of the items available for purchase. The weather was perfect and our artists even received a surprise visit from Governor Asa Hutchinson and the First Lady.
Even though this event is held once a year, unique gifts from these artists can be found year-round in The Blue Umbrella.
SEAHDC launches book written by residents
Residents at the Southeastern Arkansas Human Development Center in Warren, AR have been busy writing a book titled, "Snowflakes." The inspiration for the book came from the desire to show how individuals with developmental disabilities are each unique, just like snowflakes.
Each page features a different residents handprint and a few interesting facts
The book launched on Friday, August 26th, with residents on hand to autograph the first copies sold.
2022 Blue Umbrella Farmer's Market
Our five Human Development Centers do amazing work to harvest the produce and plants and create the one-of-a-kind crafts that are sold at these markets, and food proceeds from the event supported the HDC Resident Holiday Gift Fund.
It was a beautiful day and a wonderful opportunity to pick up some fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, yummy jam and to meet with a few of our clients.
The Blue Umbrella Turns Three
We are BEYOND thankful for every single person who came to support us and to wish us a Happy Birthday today! We had a fantastic turn out, and an overall great celebration! We flourished in our 3rd year and we can't wait to see what our 4th year brings!
Check out some photos from our birthday celebration!