As we wrap up our 20th anniversary year and settle into the holiday season, it feels like the right time to pause and celebrate the people who make this place feel like home. We asked our staff a simple question with a lot of heart behind it: What does our “R” mean to you? Their answers came back not just in words but in small, personal pieces of art that reflect pride, gratitude, and the spirit of community that carries us through each year.
This little collection highlights a handful of those submissions. Not every piece is included here, but every contribution mattered and helped paint a fuller picture of who we are. Every canvas was displayed during a day-long staff celebration earlier this year as we all prepared for the larger, public party on Oct. 18.
As you move through the season, we hope these works remind you of the connection, growth, and shared purpose that define the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. Here’s to 20 years behind us, and to the people who make the next 20 worth looking forward to.
Same View by Tim Land, Director of I.T.
“Same View shows four figures at the Institute’s Studio Overlook looking out at sunset, and their shadows have Gov. Rockefeller’s cowboy hat. The inspiration behind the painting is that decades ago, Gov. Rockefeller looked out at the same view we see now and decided to work for collaborative change in Arkansas. While we do not individually have the resources he had, together, we can continue that work in the present and continue to make an impact in the betterment of our state and the lives of Arkansans.”
Home by Tracy Jones, Painter
“I’m grateful not only to work up here, but to live up here, too. The artwork itself starts with a photo I took. I used some sequins, kind of like diamond art, to outline the tree outside my house. The only thing that’s missing is my cat, Charlie.
Being in a place like this, with a home like this, means a lot to me. There are good people here, and good people make all the difference. I’m lucky to have so many in my life.”
Progress by Austin Bond, Executive Chef
“In my day-to-day work, I get the chance to connect with everyone who comes through here, often several times a day. My goal is simple. I want them to feel cared for, so they can focus on the work that brought them here. I’ve watched real conversations and real relationships unfold in the rooms I help take care of. Real change comes from that. It isn’t always comfortable, but those conversations matter.
This is a place where progress truly happens. We love seeing guests walk through the door, knowing they’re here to do work that betters Arkansas. And you can feel that energy in every part of the building. One thing we consistently hear in feedback is that people can tell our staff genuinely loves what they do. Serving others gives them the space and support to make their work count. That’s what this art represents for me.”
Sunset at the Studio by Kaitlyn Rankin, Conference Planner
“The Studio has long served as a hub for community, and I painted this sunset view to reflect what the ‘R’ symbolizes to me: a shared space that inspires and connects. Therefore, this painting attempts to honor Governor Rockefeller’s legacy of bringing people together.”
Bloom by Carter Wagner, Conference Services Manager
“Flowers bloom, stretch, and reach for more, and that’s the spirit I wanted to capture. I think about Winthrop and what he wanted for Arkansas. He pushed for growth, too. In his mind, the state had fallen behind in many ways, and his drive for social and policy change stemmed from his desire for Arkansas to grow into something better. I always hope to honor that spirit.
My kids were actually working on a painting of their own, so I sat down with them, and we made this together. The flowers are actually crumpled paper towels we shaped and painted.”
Community by Julia Dossett Morgan, Chief Advancement Officer
“I’ve sadly never seen the word ‘COMMUNITY’ written in clouds, but I do have a specific memory of a rainbow. I was driving to Petit Jean early in the morning to attend an Uncommon Communities program session. After many days of rain, the clouds drifted away, revealing a gorgeous, color-saturated rainbow. It was incredible, and the rainbow seemed to be leading me to the Institute. I often think about that memory.
The Institute is a very special organization because not only do we foster community through our mission and the Rockefeller Ethic, but we ourselves are a community. Even when no group is on campus, the staff is a community that supports one another, and our community grows temporarily every time we welcome people convening on the mountain.”
Regrowth by Grant Wray, Housekeeper
“Regrowth marks a turning point that began when I joined the Institute in 2023. The black-and-white books along the edges stand for the past, including old roles and experiences that no longer helped me grow. The aged library setting reinforces that sense of history. Even though the Institute’s spaces are far from dusty, I am surrounded by reminders of how fast time moves and how renewal often starts in quiet moments.
The statue and rose point to hope and possibility. They reflect the support, welcome, and genuine opportunities I have found here, such as serving on our Events Committee. Through this piece, I express my gratitude for the growth this place has sparked and my conviction that the future here holds even more potential to bloom.”
Convening by Alias McMurphy, Hospitality Associate
“This piece shows a crowd of people, all in different colors, different clothing, and different backgrounds. The beads are what tie them together. Bringing people together is the most important thing we do, because it shapes how they interact, how they change each other, and how they work toward shared goals.
I chose an abstract style because it’s more visually appealing to me, but it also leaves room for interpretation. We serve so many kinds of people working on so many different things. I didn’t want to lock the meaning into one idea when the heart of our work is connection.
For me, the meaning is simple. Working up here, I meet more types of people than I do anywhere else in my life. Every time that happens, I leave the mountain energized.”
Resolve by Dani George, Facilities & Conference Services Assistant
“Inspired by Winthrop starting at the bottom as a roughneck in the oil fields, Resolve follows the growth that comes from struggle, learning, and persistence. It symbolizes the climb toward self-understanding and change, built by steady effort.
Resolve is about refusing to quit. It speaks to the moment when stopping feels easier, yet you keep moving anyway. My resolve is to get through things I don’t understand yet and not to give up on myself. In life, you have to have the resolve to see anything through to the end.”
Oceans wide, mountains tall,
Feels too steep to climb, even at a crawl.
Trees stand high, flowers below,
Halfway to the top, with nowhere to go.
When hopelessness is felt, look to the sky.
Let the birds be your guide as the sun begins to rise.
To Resolve is to change, to accept new paths.
Reach up and grab that ledge, never look back.
The climb was hard but made you grand.
No shadows of regret across the land.
Renaissance by Amanda Wilton, Hospitality Associate
“Prior to taking my job here at the Institute, I had been a stay-at-home mom homeschooling my 13-year-old twins for the past seven years. Life had become mundane, and I felt it was time to stretch my legs again and start something new for myself. The Institute has been my renewal. The growth it has brought has felt life-giving.”