OFFICIAL JOB TITLE: Executive Director of New Design School
NON-OFFICIAL TITLE: Fayetteville
WHERE ARE YOU FROM? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN HERE?: I was born in Little Rock but spent all of my childhood in Texarkana. I’ve been in NWA for almost 3 years.
What is New Design School?
The New Design School is an educational institution dedicated to careers for creatives. We serve students in three different ways: we have educational summer sessions for children 9-15, we develop, implement, and instruct curriculum for digital arts for high schools, as well as offer certificates and professional development at the post-secondary level. We believe when you empower the creative with technology, you feed the starving artist.
What do you do with your free time in Northwest Arkansas? How do you spend your weekends?
With it being winter, it’s a great time to paint. I spend the cold days inside working on something creative. In spring, summer and fall, I will add nature into the mix, be it floating, camping, or fishing streams and lakes.
What are your favorite outdoor spots in Northwest Arkansas?
I could be running or riding the Mount Sequoyah Trail, the Kings is my favorite river, and I fish the White River near Beaver Dam and across Arkansas.
How do you stay involved in the community?
I try to be a part of as much as I can to help in any way possible. I’m on the Fayetteville Arts Council and like to attend as many events as I can to show support. I know how it is to throw events so I like to support even if it may not be my thing.
“For the past 15 years, David has focused on digital art and animation. He worked for The Walt Disney Company and Sony Pictures on films such as The Polar Express, The Chronicles of Narnia, Tangled, Wreck-it Ralph, and the highest grossing animated film of all time – Frozen. During David’s time at Disney Feature Animation, he worked on two Academy Award-winning production teams– Frozen and the animated short film Feast.”
davidwilkeskersey.com
What are your favorite restaurants?
Prelude for breakfast, Petra or Khana for lunch, and dinner can be as casual as WoodStone or Bocca for a nice steak.
Are you a coffee drinker? What’s your favorite spot for a cup of joe?
I do love coffee, and I find myself at Arsaga’s Church & Center quite often. I have a lot of meetings on the Square and it’s a quick walk from there. You can’t beat it on a beautiful day.
Best happy hour? What’s your order?
In the spring and fall, any patio will do around sunset. My go-to is an Ozark APA or a nice pinot.
What is one thing you can’t go without?
I hate to say iPhone, but it is where I conduct a lot of business and I need to eat. Outside of technology, it would probably be my fishing gear.
What is the best part about living in Northwest Arkansas?
The best part of Northwest Arkansas, to me, is the access to nature. I spent 15 years in LA and it was a pain to go 5 miles away much less out into the woods to bike, hike, camp, and fish. I love being able to get out really easily.
To learn more about New Design School, click here.
Photos c/o: David Kersey, @coldiet, @jennicarenee, @chefdigby, @girlandboyeat
