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November at Crystal Bridges includes: New Exhibition, A Film Festival, and Dance, Dance, Dance!

In the month of November, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art invites visitors to explore the temporary exhibition, The Art of American Dance, and delve into dance through live performances, a film festival, and conversation. The Art of American Dance is on view from October 22 to January 16 and features some 90 works ranging in mediums and representing the role dance has held in influencing artists and shaping American culture. 

 Viewers can be inspired by The Oklahoma Dance Film Festival on November 3. The festival includes an introduction and live performance by film director, Jessica Vokoun and friends. A renowned dance scholar and Isadora Duncan-trained dancer, Alice Bloch will guide attendees through The Art of American Dance with a Spotlight Talk and Performance on November 4. Bloch will explore the exhibition with a particular focus on Isadora Duncan’s influence on women. 

Visitors can also discover the exhibition through contemporary dance with two Performance Labs: On November 11, SLIPPAGE, an interdisciplinary group, will merge technology and dance with FastDANCEPast in an experimental dance performance. Thomas F. DeFrantz, founder and a performer, will share insights about designing the show and lead discussions on cross-cultural relations in dance history. On November 17, Dancing Earth, a contemporary Native American dance company, combines dance, music, and indigenous language to present a message of environmental impact. 

 Dance, Dance, Dance! takes over Art Night Out on November 12. Attendees are invited to celebrate the museum’s fifth anniversary and dance the evening away to sounds inspired by The Art of American Dance, including swing, disco, and techno.

 The evening will feature performances by Dancing Earth, SLIPPAGE, Tulsa Modern Movement, and Alice Bloch.

A full listing of November programs is found below. Information and registration are available on Crystal Bridges’ calendar of events.


Thursday, November 3, 1 to 2 pm

Gallery Conversation » What’s New? Shaking Hands and Kissing Babies

Celebrate election season with this Gallery Conversation in our temporary exhibition, Shaking Hands and Kissing Babies. Curatorial Assistant Dylan Turk and Interpretation Manger Stace Treat will discuss the new exhibition, which features political art and memorabilia from the campaigns of Washington, Lincoln, Nixon, and more. Free, no registration required.


Thursday, November 3, 10, 17, 6:30 to 8 pm

Studio Squad » Picturing American Dance

Whether you love breakdance or ballet, you’ll be inspired by the artwork found in The Art of American Dance. Back in the studio, we’ll turn on some music and create dance drawings, collages, and more! Sponsored by Nickelodeon. $45/3 sessions ($36 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Thursday, November 3, 7 to 8 pm

Film and Performance » The Oklahoma Dance Film Festival

The Oklahoma Dance Film Festival celebrates its 10th Anniversary with a Best of Fest screening. Director Jessica Vokoun will open with an introduction on famous dance films and body movement techniques from filmmakers and choreographers such as Maya Deren, Pina Busch, and more. The film screening includes a live dance performance by Vokoun and friends. Come early and visit the temporary exhibition The Art of American Dance for inspiration. Sponsored by inVeritas, Demara Titzer, and JTH Productions. Free, register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Friday, November 4, 11, 18, 2 to 3:30 pm

Homeschool Friday Fun (ages 6 to 8) » American Dance

Explore the art, costumes, and dance of The Art of American Dance. Back in the studio, we’ll use fabric and mixed media to create art inspired by what we’ve seen. $45/3 sessions ($36 for Members). Register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Friday, November 4, 11, 18, 2 to 3:30 pm

Homeschool Friday Fun (ages 9 to 12) » American Dance

Explore the art, costumes, and dance of The Art of American Dance. Back in the studio, we’ll use fabric and mixed media to create art inspired by what we’ve seen. $45/3 sessions ($36 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Member Meet & Greet » Lauren Haynes

Friday, November 4, 6 to 7 pm

Members are invited to a special opportunity to welcome Crystal Bridges’ new Contemporary Art Curator, Lauren Haynes! Haynes comes to Crystal Bridges from The Studio Museum in Harlem and has since become a key member of our curatorial team. She specializes in African American modern and contemporary art. Please join us for a welcome discussion with Lauren. Free for Members, register online or by calling the Member Priority Line at 479.418.5728.


Saturday, November 5, 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday, November 6, 10 am to 5 pm

Featured Artisan » Rae Ann Bayless

For more than 20 years, Rae Ann Bayless has dedicated her craft to the idea of jewelry as wearable art. Approaching jewelry-making with the eye of a painter, Bayless adds the tactile sensibilities of a sculptor, combining rich colors and textures with just a touch of the exotic. Rae Ann’s full collection will be on display and available for purchase during this event. Free, no registration required.


Saturday, November 5, 12, 19,  10:30 am to noon

Young Artist Class » Art and Dance

(For ages 5 to 10) Discover how artists depict dance through fun gallery experiences in The Art of American Dance. Back in the studio, we’ll use paint and mixed media to create wearable art inspired by the exhibition. $45/3 sessions ($36 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Sunday, November 6, noon to 5 pm

Family Sunday » Dance Party!

Enjoy dance performances, music, artmaking, and more! We’ll celebrate our temporary exhibition The Art of American Dance with free admission during Family Sunday. Join us to learn some new moves of your own. Sponsored by Roy & Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A. Trustee; Procter & Gamble; Rockline Industries; and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Free, no registration required.


Monday, November 7 & 21, 1 to 3 pm

Figure Drawing

Join us on the first and third Mondays of each month for this adult Figure Drawing class to draw from a clothed model. Whether you’ve always had a love for figure drawing or are trying it for the first time, you’ll enjoy this introductory life drawing class. A variety of drawing materials will be provided, and model poses will include both shorter warm-up poses, and longer poses. All materials are provided. $10 ($5 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Monday, November 7, 1:30 to 3:30 pm

Creative Connections

Creative Connections is a program for individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or related dementia and their care partners. Museum Educators facilitate interactive discussions of artworks in the galleries followed by hands-on art activities in the studio. No prior art experience is required! Refreshments and art materials are provided.

Sponsored by Loreen Arbus. Presented in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association and Schmieding Center for Senior Health and Education. Free. Advance registration through Alzheimer’s Association required. To register, contact:  Alzheimer’s Association by calling (479) 273-5559, or email sdillingham@alz.org.


Monday, November 7, 6 to 7 pm

Yoga and Art » Chakra Series: Crown

Seek gratitude and see the gift in all things! Yoga Story’s Cindee Johnson leads this uplifting group experience uniting the power of art with the beauty of nature. Discover various spaces of the Museum as you are refreshed and renewed through motivational sessions that embody balancing chakras, color, and movement. Participants should bring their own yoga mat and dress appropriately. This month’s chakras: heart and brow.

$5 (Free for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Wednesday, November 9, 7 to 9 pm

What Works Workshop » Artist Inc.

Join us for an introduction into the unique Kansas-City based program, Artist Inc!  For the “What Works Workshop”, you’ll learn more about how Artist Inc. is designed to help art professionals learn the tools of the trade and become successful working artists in the community, facilitated by Artist Inc of Kansas City and Art Center of the Ozarks.  This free workshop is designed for the public and artist of any medium, and we’ll discuss topics like goal setting and planning, portfolio careers, multiple income streams, and much more.  The program begins with one hour of presentations, ending with 30 minutes of workshop dedicated to audience needs and participation. The “What Works Workshop” kicks off the Arts Center of the Ozarks awarded grant as the host organization of Artist Inc. in Northwest Arkansas—offering an 8-week series from March to May 2017.  Applications open October 2.  


Thursday, November 10, 11:30 am to 2 pm

Preschool Playdate » Dance Party

Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to groove at Preschool Playdate! Enjoy art projects, story time, and creative play inspired by the temporary exhibition The Art of American Dance. Playdate begins with an 11:30 a.m. performance in the Great Hall. Sponsored by Roy & Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A. Trustee, and the Segal Family Foundation. Free, no registration required.


Saturday, November 12, 8 to 11 pm

Art Night Out » Dance, Dance, Dance!

Celebrate the museum’s fifth anniversary with an evening of dance at Art Night Out! Enjoy dance inspired by The Art of American Dance, from big-band swing to disco and techno. The evening’s performances include FastDANCEPast with SLIPPAGE, an interactive multimedia show exploring dance history using green-screen technology; an environmental dance by Native American contemporary dance company Dancing Earth; Performers from Tulsa Modern Movement in the galleries; and a classical Isadora Duncan dance by choreographer Alice Bloch. A cash bar will available for guests ages 21 and up with appropriate ID. Ages 16 and up. Sponsored by Saatchi & Saatchi X, AMP Sign & Banner, Blue Moon Brewing Company, and JTH Productions. Free for artinfusion Members, $16 for Members, and $20 for non-Members. Register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Wednesday, November, 16, 1:30 to 2:30 pm

Art Book Club » America Dancing

Discover and discuss the origin of popular American dances from the 1890s to the 1990s in this entertaining history novel, America Dancing: From the Cakewalk to the Moonwalk by Megan Pugh. Free, no registration required.


Wednesday, November 16, 6 to 7 pm

WOW » The Art of American Dance

Join Crystal Bridges’ Culinary Director Case Dighero and Museum curators as they discuss The Art of American Dance. Open to guests ages 21 and above. Sponsored by Premier Dermatology and Riedel Glassware. $35 ($28 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335


Wednesday, November 16 & 30, 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Figure Drawing from the Nude Model

Join us on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month for this adult figure drawing class with a nude model. A variety of drawing materials will be provided, and model poses will include both shorter warm-up poses, and longer poses. Participants must be 18 or older. (Note: Figure Drawing sessions with a clothed model are offered on the first and third Mondays of each month, and are open to participants ages 14 and up.) $10 ($5 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Saturday, November 19, 6 to 8 pm

Artinfusion Excursion » Walton Arts Center

Artinfusion Excursions, the new local exploration program that takes artinfusion Members to creative spaces around Northwest Arkansas, heads to Walton Arts Center for their grand re-opening festivities. Gather with artinfusion Members for a gallery talk in the Home Away from Home exhibition at the Joy Markham Gallery with artists Ted Lott and Kay Healy. Meet at the Joy Pratt Markham Gallery; talk begins promptly at 6 pm. This event is for artinfusion Members only. Sponsored by Saatchi & Saatchi X, RopeSwing, The Hershey Company, Wright Lindsey Jennings, and Blue Moon Brewing Company. Free for artinfusion Members, register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Monday, November 21, 1 to 2 pm

Gallery Conversation » What’s New? Sol LeWitt

Experience the massive Wall Drawing 880 – Loopy Doopy by Sol LeWitt, and hear Curator Chad Alligood discuss this new and dizzying installation. Free, no registration required.


Monday, November 21, 1:30 to 3:30 pm

Creative Connections

Creative Connections is a program for individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or related dementia and their care partners. Museum Educators facilitate interactive discussions of artworks in the galleries followed by hands-on art activities in the studio. No prior art experience is required! Refreshments and art materials are provided.

Sponsored by Loreen Arbus. Presented in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association and Schmieding Center for Senior Health and Education.Free. Advance registration through Alzheimer’s Association required. To register, contact:  Alzheimer’s Association by calling (479) 273-5559, or email sdillingham@alz.org.