Located in Bentonville AR, Crystal Bridges is the culmination of Walmart heiress Alice Walton’s desire to make her hometown and region a fine art destination. Visitors can enjoy the museum’s collection galleries and 5 miles of art and nature trails.
The museum is a complex of sleek modern pavilions spread across a pretty waterfront landscape. It houses a world-class American art collection.
Located in Bentonville
Founded by philanthropist Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is home to an expansive collection of American art. Its mission is to “welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature.” Visitors can enjoy world-class artwork, experience the architecture, and take advantage of the museum’s trails and gardens.
The facility was designed by Moshe Safdie and is located in a pristine Ozark forest. It is a complex of interconnected pavilions that are surrounded by spring-fed ponds. The museum is connected to the surrounding park by a series of sculptures and walking trails.
The museum’s collections range from early Colonial paintings to contemporary works. It also houses several pieces by artists such as Thomas Cole, Frederic Edwin Church, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Asher Brown Durand. The museum is open to the public and admission is free. The museum also hosts a variety of educational programs for schoolchildren and community members.
Dedicated to American Art
Until recently, Crystal Bridges was a museum mired in controversy. Its critics slammed it for being the vanity project of Walmart heiress Alice Walton, who was criticized for gobbling up masterworks and relocating them to Bible Belt country. But the museum has since opened, and it’s worth a visit to see how its collection redefines how we understand American art.
The complex is built around a series of delicate pavilions that span two ponds and integrate with the surrounding landscape. Visitors can wander through a network of gardens, courtyards, and hiking trails. In addition to its renowned collections, the museum also houses a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house and hosts educational programs and performances.
The museum’s most popular works include Norman Rockwell’s patriotic Rosie the Riveter, Asher Brown Durand’s landscape painting Indian Encampment, and modernist experiments by Mark Rothko and Andy Warhol. The museum also has an extensive collection of Native American artwork. Additionally, the museum features an impressive selection of folk and outsider arts.
Dedicated to Education
As a cultural destination, Crystal Bridges is a place to discover the American spirit in a setting that unites art and nature. The museum showcases its world-class collection in a series of pavilions nestled around spring-fed ponds. Designed by Moshe Safdie, the complex is a masterful combination of architecture and landscape. The museum also features a Usonian house, a rare Buckminster Fuller Flys Eye Dome, and an extensive library.
The museum has a wide range of educational programs and is committed to expanding access to art for students of all backgrounds. For example, they are partnering with local schools to provide access to art and help teachers integrate it into their curriculum. A recent study showed that a one-time school field trip to an art museum increases critical thinking, memory, tolerance, empathy, and cultural interest for high-poverty and minority students.
To support this mission, Crystal Bridges is building a new expansion. The expansion, which was designed by Safdie Architects, will add more galleries and community gathering spaces. It will also increase the capacity for educational and outreach activities and community events.
Dedicated to the Community
Crystal Bridges is committed to engaging the public in meaningful conversations about art and American history. Its ongoing symposia series bring artists into conversation with thought leaders, scholars, and the public about a wide range of topics. The museum also hosts public lectures and performances. The museum grounds feature exhibition spaces, classrooms, a restaurant, a library, and miles of art and walking trails.
The sculpture is a key part of the collection, displayed in interior galleries and along outdoor sculpture trails. It includes work by Vanessa German, Paul Manship, Roxy Paine, and Mark di Suvero. Crystal Bridges also houses a rare Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house, called the Bachman-Wilson House.
The museum was founded by philanthropist Alice Walton and opened on November 11, 2011. Its mission is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. It is a non-profit museum with free admission. Alice’s vision was to build the museum on the 120-acre site of her father Sam Walton’s first Five and Dime store.
Driving directions from Hi-Tech Enterprises to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Driving directions from Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art to Bark Park