Enjoy the power of art and the beauty of nature at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, nestled in the forest of a most unexpected destination — Bentonville, Arkansas.
View from Eleven restaurant, The Great Hall surrounded by Ozark forest and a spring-fed pond.
What? You’ve never heard of Crystal Bridges, or Bentonville, for that matter. You’re probably not alone, but let’s change that right here and now. Here’s a bit of background:
A long-time art lover and collector, Crystal Bridges was conceived by Alice Walton, daughter of Sam Walton, the founder of retail juggernaut Walmart, and his wife Helen. Her dream was to create a significant museum in her hometown of Bentonville to have great works of art accessible to the people of the NorthWest Arkansas region. She planned on building it on a 120-acre parcel of natural Ozark forest that had belonged to her family for many years. In 2006, builders broke ground for the museum — a remarkable organic design by world renowned architect Moshe Sadie — which would take five years to complete.
Pink dogwoods herald Spring at Crystal Bridges Museum of Modern Art.
Crystal Bridges takes its name from the striking glass and copper bridges spanning two spring-fed ponds and Crystal Spring, the nearby natural spring that feeds the ponds. On November 11, 2011, the highly anticipated Crystal Bridges opened to the excited public, many of them townspeople who had been watching its progress from an overlook created specifically for that purpose. By the end of the first year, Bentonville and Crystal Bridges Museum of Modern Art had welcomed 650,000 visitors from every state in the nation and many nations abroad.
Bridge to North Forest Trail.
Note: All photos are my own (iPhone 7), taken on a beautiful Spring day in April, and really don’t do the grounds and buildings justice. You must see and do in person!
Since opening on 11-11-11, the museum has welcomed more than 3 million visitors. Guided by key principles of accessibility and education for all, admission to the museum’s Permanent Collection is FREE and over 140,000 school children have participated in the Willard and Pat Walker School Visit Program which provides educational experiences for school groups at no cost to the schools. In addition, an extensive year-round program of activities for all ages, both social and educational, are offered: the Forest Concert Series; culinary events centered around food, drink and art; nature and wellness workshops and classes; as well as lectures and distinguished speakers that bring the brightest creative talent to the region.
Fly’s Eye Dome by Buckminster Fuller. Fiberglass, 1966.
All that being said, the best and most unique aspect of Crystal Bridges is the commitment to nature and highlighting the beauty of the native Ozark forest where Alice Walton chose to build this significant museum of American art, much to the chagrin of established metropolitan art experts in the beginning. The grounds surrounding the museum include more than four miles of trails and invite visitors to get outside, walk, explore and discover. Each trail offers different plant life, terrain, and ecosystems which change character with each season. Join the over 300,000 people who have enjoyed the trails thus far.
In March, I visited the museum to see “Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power”, a significant and powerful exhibition that made its American debut at Crystal Bridges — so significant that writers from The New York Times and Art in America magazine traveled to London to the Tate Modern’s inauguration of the show last year to see and review it {Arkansas Times}.
Clenched Fist sculpture by Elizabeth Catlett. Painting: Benny Johnson’s “Did the Bear Sit Under a Tree?”, works in “Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power”.
The upcoming focused exhibition is “The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe and Contemporary Art“, May 26- September 3, 2018.
Visitors can experience the iconic enormous flowers, luscious colors, haunting landscapes, feminine forms and still lifes of Georgia O’Keeffe’s distinguished career. The exhibit brings together important works of O’Keefe’s alongside those of 20 contemporary artists working in similar themes. Among the 35 pieces that span O’Keefe’s career are paintings from the museum’s own collection and iconic works, Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 and Radiator Building – Night, New York. Tickets for this focused exhibit are $10 (free for Members and youth ages 18 and younger) and can be purchased here.
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
600 Museum Way
Bentonville, AR 72712
479-418-5700
Visit Crystal Bridges website for hours and more information.
Crystal Bridges Trails and Grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset and during museum hours.
Great Article. I heard about this Museum while it was being built, mostly because of who was having it built. Either way, great information and a reminder to go out and visit Museums which are national treasures themselves.
Hi Carmen! Well said! And I hope you have a chance to visit Crystal Bridges some day. The generous philanthropy of the Walton family has benefited this area in many ways.