Untitled by Joan Mitchell
Joan Mitchell painted from her own experience, using remembered feelings as inspiration. What feelings does this painting evoke for you? Write down all the emotions you feel while looking deeply at this painting.
Joan Mitchell, Untitled, 1952-1953, 77 1/2 x 71 1/2 in., Oil on canvas, Promised Gift to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas.
Ghosts of Consumption by Pam Longobardi
Sourcing her materials from the plastic trash that litters the ocean, Pam Longobardi’s artwork transforms recognizable materials into something to be admired on the wall. Take some time to look at the objects that make up this piece. How many can you identify? Do any of the objects evoke emotions or memories?
Pam Longobardi, Ghosts of Consumption (for Piet M.), 2013, 75 × 110 × 5 in., Found ocean plastic from Hawaii, Alaska, Greece, Costa Rica, Italy, and the Gulf of Mexico, Courtesy Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas.
Au Café (Synchromy) by Stanton MacDonald Wright
Take a few moments to look at the vivid colors in this scene. Do they make you hear music? Pick a song that you think sounds like this painting, then play that song while you look at the artwork.
Stanton Macdonald-Wright, Au Café (Synchromy), 1918, 50 x 28 in., Oil on canvas, Promised Gift to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas.
Get out on the Crystal Bridges trails and meditate with art sculptures
Although the museum is closed, the trails and grounds around Crystal Bridges remain open! Stretch your legs and spend some time strolling the grounds and interacting with the art sculptures you find along the way.
If you do choose to take a walk, please remember to practice good social distancing and wash your hands before and after going outside.
Use these meditative guides below to engage your body and mind with specific artworks found on the Crystal Bridges trails, thanks to yoga instructor Anna Peterson.
Scattering Screen by Alyson Shotz
(found in the North Forest)
- Visual/Topography: As you spend time with this piece, what do you notice? What do you observe about the shapes and reflections of this piece?
- Spatial Relationship: What do you observe about the interaction between this work and the nature around it? Take time to notice with curiosity.
Alyson Shotz, Scattering Screen, 2016, 108 in. × 18ft. × 28 in., Stainless steel and stainless steel wire, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, 2017.14.
Learn more about this artist/artwork here:
Monochrome II by Nancy Rubins
(found in the North Forest)
- Self: As you come upon this piece, what do you observe about your reaction to this work? What are your initial thoughts and impressions?
- Shape: Take some time to trace the shape(s) of this work. What stands out to you?
Nancy Rubins, Monochrome II, 2010-2018, 33 × 55 × 35 ft, Stainless steel, stainless steel wire, and aluminum, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, 2017.21.
Learn more about this artist/artwork here:
Fly’s Eye Dome by R. Buckminster Fuller
(found on the North Lawn)
- Self: As you come upon this work, what are your initial thoughts and reactions? How do these change as you spend more time observing and being with this piece?
- Visual/Focus: What do you notice about the shapes in this piece? As you focus on just one aspect or area, what do you notice? And what do you notice as you spread your focus wider?
Enjoy slowing down with art!
Youth and family programming is supported in part by: AMP Sign & Banner, Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Juan, Marcy and Joaquin Camacho, The Coca-Cola Company, iHeart Media, JTH Productions, Northwest Arkansas Naturals, Pinnacle Car Services, Procter & Gamble, Gordon and Carole Segal, The Simmons Family Fund, and ViacomCBS Consumer Products.