page_title: Altus, Arkansas
section_title: Arts and culture
hierarchical_section_title: Altus, Arkansas / Arts and culture
caption_attribution_description: Local entertainers keep the crowd rockin' at the Altus Grape Festival.
context_page_description: Altus is a city in Franklin County, Arkansas, United States. Located within the Arkansas River Valley at the edge of the Ozark Mountains, the city is within the Fort Smith metropolitan area. The epicenter of the Altus American Viticultural Area within Arkansas Wine Country, the city is home to four wineries. Although founded as a coal mining community, the wine industry has driven the Altus economy since the first vineyards were planted in 1872. The population was 758 at the 2010 census, down from 817 at the 2000 census.
  Altus is the site of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. St. Mary's Catholic Church was built in 1902 and is known for its beautiful paintings, ornate gold leaf walls, and Roman architecture.
context_section_description: Altus is home to three wineries and the Altus AVA (Chateau aux Arc Winery, Mount Bethel Winery, and Post Winery). The Wiederkehr Winery, founded by Johann Andreas Wiederkehr, is located north of Altus in Wiederkehr Village. The annual Springtime Gala, Grapefest, Dinner in the Vineyards, and Wineaux Fest are held in Altus each year.
  Altus was the location for the first season of the television show The Simple Life, starring Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie.
caption: Live entertainment at the 2013 Grape Festival
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