Learning to Look, Together
Math is a fundamental element of the most beautiful things in our world. It shapes music, food, architecture, art, and the patterns we move through every day. Yet for many people, math feels distant or intimidating rather than inspiring.
Math on Main is an invitation to look again.
Produced by SoMa 501 as part of the Simons Foundation’s Infinite Sums national initiative, Math on Main is a year-long public art and community learning series that brings math to life through culture, food, music, and shared experience along South Main Street in Little Rock.
Through free events and permanent public art installations, Math on Main invites people of all ages and backgrounds to experience math not as a set of rules, but as a series of patterns that help us make meaning of the world around us.
The Math Path on Main
At the heart of the program is the Math Path on Main, a walkable outdoor gallery made up of permanent, math-inspired crosswalks and murals installed throughout the year. Each installation is unveiled during a community celebration and remains in place long after the event, encouraging people to slow down, walk the neighborhood, and engage with math in everyday life.
Pi Day – March 14, 2026
The Bernice Garden
Theme: Circles, Cycles, and Curiosity
Math on Main launches on Pi Day with the unveiling of a Pi-themed crosswalk or street mural, marking the first stop on the Math Path.
Activities include:
Interactive art stations exploring circles and patterns
DJ for the Day – Learn from DJ’s about music theory, math and make your own song
Big Bubble Blast – Large-scale bubble experiments measuring circumference
Hands-on activities for children and families
Food is central to access and connection. On Pi Day, we will serve free circle-shaped foods such as pies, pizzas, bagels, and cookies to bring people together around learning.
Infinity Day – August 8, 2026
The Bernice Garden
Theme: Connection Without End
On Infinity Day, the Math Path grows with the unveiling of an infinity-themed crosswalk. This event explores infinity not only as a mathematical idea, but as something deeply human.
Activities include:
A community wedding / vow renewal ceremony
Educational stations exploring infinity in nature, space, and everyday life
Attendees will enjoy free loop-shaped foods, reinforcing the idea of continuity, connection, and shared experience.
Fibonacci Day – November 23, 2026
The Bernice Garden / Main Street
Theme: Patterns of Growth and Gratitude
The series culminates with a Fibonacci Friendsgiving, featuring a long communal table down Main Street and a free public meal.
Activities include:
A community Friendsgiving meal highlighting spiral-shaped foods and natural Fibonacci patterns
Hands-on exploration of the Fibonacci sequence in food, art, and nature
Installation of a kinetic, wind-activated mural inspired by the Fibonacci sequence, with community members invited to help assemble the artwork
This final installation completes the Math Path on Main, leaving behind a permanent, moving public artwork that reflects collective participation.
Why Food Matters
Arkansas ranks among the most food-insecure states in the nation. At every Math on Main event, food is provided free of charge. Food removes barriers, invites participation, and creates space for conversation and connection. It brings people to the table so that learning and art can happen together.
Math on Main is produced in collaboration with the University of Arkansas Little Rock Math Department, whose faculty and students serve as educators, facilitators, and fellow explorers throughout the series. The project is powered by the Simons Foundation’s Infinite Sums initiative and supported by local artists, businesses, and community partners.
Our Partners
Get Involved
*
Get Involved *
Volunteer
Help bring Math on Main to life. Volunteers support event setup, activity stations, food service, and community engagement. No math background required, just curiosity and a willingness to help.
Sponsor
Sponsorships help fund public art, free food, and accessible programming. Sponsors play a critical role in making Math on Main free and welcoming for everyone while gaining visibility through a high-impact, values-driven project.
Learn More
Math on Main is about learning to look, together. Through art, food, and shared experience, we are creating a neighborhood-scale invitation to see math differently and to enjoy South Main Street in new ways.
👉 Join us on Main Street
👉 Follow @SoMa_Little_Rock
👉 Contact us to learn more