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Crystal Bridges’ July Programs: American Made Exhibition, 4th of July Fun, and a Lightning Bug Celebration

In the month of July, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art invites visitors to celebrate the opening of American Made: Treasures from the American Folk Art Museum, enjoy a Lightning Bug Hunt, and hear from actor and art collector Cheech Marin. 

American Made: Treasures from the American Folk Art Museum is Crystal Bridges’ first folk art exhibition and features 115+ objects hand made by Americans when the nation was young. The exhibition includes quilts, carvings, signs, samplers, weathervanes, whirligigs, and more. The exhibition is open to the public July 2 through September 19.

Visitors are invited to kick off 4th of July weekend with a First Friday Concert to celebrate the opening of the exhibition, featuring square dancing with the Ozark Highballers. 

A dusk-lightning bug hunt will take place at the Skyspace Meadow and Amphitheater on July 9 as part of Discover the Grounds. University of Arkansas Entomologist Don Steinkraus will train guests in the art of catching fireflies and safely jarring them for research and observation. The evening will include artmaking, music, performance, and fun activities surrounding the firefly. 

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


Friday, July 1, 9 am to 9 pm

Member Preview » American Made

Members are invited to a Members-Only Preview of American Made: Treasures from the American Folk Art Museum, featuring 115+ artworks, including quilts, carvings, signs, samplers, weathervanes, whirligigs, and more from the renowned collection of the American Folk Art Museum in New York City. This exhibition examines the role artworks like these have played in shaping the visual image and national identity of the United States. This is the first presentation of American folk art at Crystal Bridges. Exhibition sponsored by George’s and Becky & Bob Alexander. Free, register online or by calling the Member Priority Line at 479.418.5728.


Friday, July 1, 7 to 8 pm

Spotlight Talk » Stacy Hollander on American Made

Join us for an opening lecture by Stacy Hollander, Senior Curator and Director of Exhibitions at the American Folk Art Museum and curator of the American Made exhibition. The lecture will be followed by a traditional folk concert outdoors by the Ozark Highballers and musical friends. Free, register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. 


Friday, July 1, 8:30 to 10:30 pm

First Friday Concert » Square Dancing with the Ozark Highballers

Join us for a late-night concert in honor of Independence Day and the opening of the American Made exhibition. The Ozark Highballers present a patriotic concert by the Twin Bridges with square dancing and guest musicians from the Ozark region. Free, no registration required.


Saturday, July 2, 9 to 10 am

Members Preview » American Made

Members are invited to a Members-115+ artworks, including quilts, carvings, signs, samplers, weathervanes, whirligigs, and more from the renowned collection of the American Folk Art Museum in New York City. This exhibition examines the role artworks like these have played in shaping the visual image and national identity of the United States. This is the first presentation of American folk art at Crystal Bridges. Exhibition sponsored by George’s and Becky & Bob Alexander. Free, register online or by calling the Member Priority Line at 479.418.5728. 


Saturday, July 3, 10 am to 6 pm

Artisan Showcase » Shawn Hoefer and Jeanette Larson

Shawn Hoefer and Jeanette Larson have been working together for more than eight years as Common Threads Fiber Arts and More. It’s a synergistic studio with Jeanette weaving, crocheting, and spinning, and Shawn creating items that include his award winning brooms. Join us in the Museum Store to browse the collections as the artists demonstrate their work. Free, no registration required.


Wednesday, July 6, 7 to 8 pm

Spotlight Talk » Libby H. O’Connell

Libby H. O’Connell, author of The American Plate: A Culinary History in 100 Bites, will discuss lost American food traditions to lead you on a tantalizing culinary journey through the evolution of our country’s vibrant cuisine and culture. O’Connell oversees corporate and educational outreach for A&E Networks, including HISTORY, A&E, H2, and FYI. She also serves as Chief Historian for HISTORY. A book signing and reception will follow the talk. Free, register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Wednesday, July 6, 5 pm

Short Film Festival Submissions Deadline

Enter your film in the Third Annual Short Film Festival at Crystal Bridges! This year, we’ll feature short films that explore the Museum’s mission to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Filmmakers of all ages are invited to submit short films. There are three categories for entry: Artistic, Drama, and Documentary. If your film is selected, you will be notified by August 1, 2016 and invited to attend the public screening and participate in a post-screening discussion with the audience. Films will be screened at the festival on August 25. Submit your film here.


Thursday, July 7, 1 to 2 pm and 6:30 to 7:30 pm

Gallery Conversation » What’s New?

In these two opening gallery discussions, join Curator Mindy Besaw and Interpretation Manager Stace Treat for an exclusive look at artworks in the American Made temporary exhibition. No registration required, but a ticket to the exhibition is necessary. American Made exhibition: $10 ($8 for Members).


Thursday, July 7, 6 to 7:30 pm

Summer English Language Learner Series

Join us for a summer series of evening gallery discussions! Museum Educators facilitate gallery experiences encouraging adult English language learners to practice reading, listening, writing, and speaking English while learning about American history, culture, and art. Free, registration required. To sign up or for more information, email Emily.Rodriguez@CrystalBridges.org or call 479.657.2398.


Thursday, July 7, 7 to 8 pm

Summer Family Fun » Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre

Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre is back with an evening performance of Twelfth Night on Walker Landing. Comedia del arte meets the circus as the troop swoops into town with sparse belongings, using the magic of the play to costume each player and decorate each scene out of one single wagon. The play will have original music played and sung by the actors. Two long-time Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre favorites, Jordy Neill and Matt Duncan, take on the comic duo of the mischievous Sir Toby Belch and the hapless Sir Andrew Aguecheek. They will sword fight, warble, dance, and share a few laughs with audience members as Sir Andrew does his pitiful best to woo Sir Toby’s niece, Olivia. Watch as Shakespeare’s text comes to life in this fast-paced, funny, and family friendly production of dance and music. Free, no registration required.


Friday, July 8, 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Photo Salon » Black and White Photography with Kris Johnson

Discover techniques of high-quality black and white photography in this series led by photographer Kris Johnson. Johnson’s work has been featured in several exhibitions in Northwest Arkansas. Much of the influence for his landscape work comes from 19th century romanticism, showing the mystery of the natural world. In using black and white photography, Johnson brings attention to forms and light. Visit Johnson’s website here. $10 (Free for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Saturday, July 9, 7:30 to 9 pm

Discover the Grounds » Lightning Bug Hunt

Join us for a dusk lightning-bug hunt and celebration with University of Arkansas Entomologist Don Steinkraus at the Skyspace Meadow and Amphitheater. Families are welcome! Learn about the transformation of the ecosystem from day to night and the secrets fireflies hold beyond their flickering lights. Steinkraus will train you in the art of catching fireflies and how to safely jar them for research and observation. The evening will include artmaking, music, performance, and fun activities surrounding the luminous firefly. Sponsored by Blue Rhino. Free, no registration required.


Monday, July 11, 11 am to 12:30 pm

Writer’s Group » Nineteenth-Century Poetry

Craft a poem inspired by the nineteenth-century artworks of American Made, and discuss early American poetry in this session led by award-winning poet Houston Hughes. $8 (Free for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Monday, July 11, 1 to 3 pm

Figure Drawing

Whether you’ve always had a love for figure drawing or are trying it for the first time, you’ll enjoy an afternoon drawing with other adults at the Museum. A variety of drawing materials will be provided, and model poses will include both shorter warm-up poses, and longer poses. $10 ($5 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Monday, July 11, 6 to 7 pm

Yoga and Art Chakra Series » Solar Plexus

Discover your own power and energy! Yoga Story’s Cindee Joslin leads this uplifting group experience uniting the power of art with the beauty of nature. Discover various spaces of the museum, inside and out, 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 chakra: solar plexus. $5 (Free for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Monday, July 11 through Friday, July 15, 9 am to noon

Summer Camp (Ages 6 to 8) » Colorific

See how artists express themselves through color! Experiment with color mixing, printmaking, and more to create colorful art. $150 ($120 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Monday, July 11 through Friday, July 15, 1:30 to 4:30 pm

SOLD OUT Camp Connect at Crystal Bridges (Ages 9 to 12)

Camp Connect at Crystal Bridges is a summer day-camp program for children with autism and peer mentors, ages 9 to 12. The camp will feature fun activities for children to connect with artwork in the Museum’s collection while building relationships with other children. For more information contact access@crystalbridges.org or Project Connect at projconn@uark.edu or 479-575-3215. Presented in collaboration with Project Connect at the University of Arkansas. Sponsored by Loreen Arbus.


Monday, July 11 through Friday, July 15, 9 am to 12 pm

Summer Camp (Ages 4 to 5) » Mini Masters

Introduce your little artist to the Museum! Discover the permanent collection through story time and gallery activities. Back in the studio, we’ll explore the artmaking process with painting, collage, and sculpture for some messy fun! $150 ($120 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Wednesday, July, 13, 1:30 to 2:30 pm

Art Book Club » Folk Tales

Enjoy a selection of American folk tales, and then come together to discuss the place of oral tradition, self-taught literature, and art in American culture. Free, no registration required.


Wednesday, July 13, 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 to participants ages 14 and up.) $10 ($5 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Wednesday, July 13, 7 to 8 pm

Performance Lab » Nakatani Gong Orchestra

Crystal Bridges’ Performance Lab presents an experimental concert by Nakatani Gong Orchestra, directed by renowned sound artist and percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani in the outdoor setting of Walker Landing. The orchestra will feature local drum talent trained by Nakatani. If you are interested in being a percussionist in the orchestra, please contact Assistant Manager of Public Programs Sara Segerlin at Sara.Segerlin@crystalbridges.org. Sponsored by Paul M. Angell Family Foundation and Demara Titzer. Free, register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Thursday, July 14, 7 to 8 pm

SOLD OUT Distinguished Speaker Series » Cheech Marin, actor and art collector

Primarily known as an actor, director, and performer, Cheech Marin has developed what is arguably the finest private collection of Chicano art in the nation. Marin will talk about his love of art and the events that sparked his interest in collecting. A thirdgeneration Mexican-American, Marin has received numerous awards for his work on behalf of Latinos, including the 2000 Creative Achievement Award from the Imagen Foundation and the 1999 ALMA Community Service Award from the National Council of La Raza and Kraft Foods. Join us for a book signing following the lecture. Sponsored by Del Monte Foods, Inc. $10 ($8 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Friday, July 15, 10 am to 6 pm

Saturday, July 16, 10 am to 6 pm

Featured Artisan » John Bundy Duck Decoys

For more than a quarter century, John and Valarie Bundy and son Jason have been carving beautiful, unique decoys. With a unique combination of woodgrain, colors, stains, and high-gloss finish, each decoy is a piece of art. Free, no registration required.


Saturday, July 16, 1 to 2 pm

Gallery Conversation » The Art of Duck Decoys with John Bundy

Discover the rich tradition of duck decoy carving in America with Indiana artist John Bundy of Bundy Ducks. Bundy will discuss the long history of duck decoys, from traditional to contemporary, and you’ll view the outstanding carvings in the American Made exhibition. Joining Bundy in the discussion is Crystal Bridges Retail Operations Manager Diana Walpole. American Made exhibition: $10 ($8 for Members). No registration required, but a ticket to the exhibition is necessary.


Monday, July 18, through Friday, July 22, 9:30 am to 3 pm

SOLD OUT Summer Camp (Ages 6 to 8) » How It’s Made with Crystal Bridges and Scott Family Amazeum!

Enjoy the unique opportunity to travel between two museums for a one-of-a-kind summer camp experience hosted by Scott Family Amazeum and Crystal Bridges! Do you ever look around your home and wonder, “How is it made?” You’ll find out in this special week of camp, designed to spark curiosity, discovery, and imagination. Campers will spend half of each day in the Amazeum, exploring different techniques and materials to make extraordinary ordinary objects, and the other half of the day at Crystal Bridges discovering how artists taught themselves to make beautiful objects for everyday life such as quilts, trinket boxes, weather vanes, and more. Daily STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities and visits to special exhibitions will have your camper viewing objects in a totally new way. Don’t miss this chance to enjoy two summer camps in one! Crystal Bridges and Amazeum members enjoy a discount on camp registration. You only need to be a member of one museum to enjoy this discount.


Monday, July 18, through Friday, July 22, 9:30 am to 3 pm

Summer Camp (Ages 9 to 12) » How It’s Made with Crystal Bridges and Scott Family Amazeum!

Enjoy the unique opportunity to travel between two museums for a one-of-a-kind summer camp experience hosted by Scott Family Amazeum and Crystal Bridges! Do you ever look around your home and wonder, “How is it made?” You’ll find out in this special week of camp, designed to spark curiosity, discovery, and imagination. Campers will spend half of each day in the Amazeum, exploring different techniques and materials to make extraordinary ordinary objects, and the other half of the day at Crystal Bridges discovering how artists taught themselves to make beautiful objects for everyday life such as quilts, trinket boxes, weather vanes, and more. Daily STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities and visits to special exhibitions will have your camper viewing objects in a totally new way. Don’t miss this chance to enjoy two summer camps in one! $335 ($265 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. Crystal Bridges and Amazeum members enjoy a discount on camp registration. You only need to be a member of one museum to enjoy this discount.


Wednesday, July 20, 6 to 7 pm

SOLD OUT WOW » Folk Art

Join Crystal Bridges Culinary Director Case Dighero and Curator Mindy Besaw as they discuss the American Made exhibition and how it inspires the cuisine of Eleven. Open to guests ages 21 and above. Sponsored by Premier Dermatology and Riedel Glassware.


Thursday, July 21, 6 to 7:30 pm

Summer English Language Learner Series

Join us for a summer series of evening gallery discussions! Museum Educators facilitate gallery experiences encouraging adult English language learners to practice reading, listening, writing, and speaking English while learning about American history, culture, and art. Free, registration required. To sign up or for more information, email Emily.Rodriguez@CrystalBridges.org or call 479.657.2398


Saturday, July 23, 1 to 5 pm

Adult Workshop: Tapestry Weaving with Eleanor Lux

Led by renowned Eureka Springs artist Eleanor Lux, this workshop will cover the basics of tapestry weaving using a variety of colors and basic patterns. Each participant will leave with a small weaving inspired by the new exhibition, American Made. $55 ($44 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Monday, July 25, 1 to 3 pm

Figure Drawing

Whether you’ve always had a love for figure drawing or are trying it for the first time, you’ll enjoy an afternoon drawing with other adults at the Museum. All materials will be provided, and model poses will include both shorter warm-up poses, and longer poses. $10 ($5 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Wednesday, July 27, 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 to participants ages 14 and up.) $10 ($5 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Wednesday, July 27, 9 to 10:30 pm

Film Screening » Ozarkumentaries

Fayetteville Film Festival presents the popular short film program Ozarkumentaries, featuring local stories of the Ozarks. Following the short films, there will be a discussion with the local filmmakers. Sponsored by inVeritas and Demara Titzer. Free, register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Thursday, July 28, 5 to 9 pm

Artinfusion @ Culture Hour

This summer season of artinfusion @ Culture Hour features a Jazz Series curated by the Northwest Arkansas Jazz Society. Get together with artinfusion Members and friends each month to meet and mingle during Culture Hour in Eleven!  Join us at Walker Landing around 7 pm for a performance by Crescent City Combo. Feel free to bring your drinks outdoors. Free for artinfusion Members and guests. Sponsored by Saatchi & Saatchi X, RopeSwing, The Hershey Company, Wright Lindsey Jennings and Blue Moon Brewing Company.


Thursday, July 28, 6 to 7:30 pm

DISH

Join Crystal Bridges Culinary Director Case Dighero as he hosts a lively, insightful dialog between strong women in both the culinary and art worlds. Open to guests ages 21 and above. Sponsored by Arvest Bank. $35 ($28 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. 


Friday, July 29, 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Craft Squared » Nineteenth-Century Paint-by-Numbers

Discover traditional American folk art while enjoying a craft beer! Inspired by the American Made exhibition, learn the art of Theorem Painting: a step-by-step technique and a popular style of painting in the early nineteenth century! All materials, plus two glasses of beer and appetizers are provided. Open to guests 21 and above. $44 ($35 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.


Saturday, July 30, 1 to 2 pm

Gallery Conversation » Home Traditions with Peel Mansion

Join us for a conversation in the American Made exhibition with Executive Director Corrin Troutman of the Peel Mansion. This discussion will take a look at decorative objects that were used in the home in the early nineteenth century. After a talk in our galleries, participants may continue the discussion at the Peel Mansion, where related artifacts will be showcased for an exciting conversation on nineteenth-century living. American Made exhibition: $10 ($8 for Members). No registration required, but a ticket to the exhibition is necessary.