Three Ways to Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride at Crystal Bridges and the Momentary in 2023

Jun 2, 2023

Art & Collection At the Museum

This June, we invite you to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and commemorate those involved in the 1969 Stonewall Riots with a month of inclusive events and activities.

Whether you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community, an ally, curious, or just want to join us in welcoming all, we encourage you to stop by one of our Pride events this month and learn more about LGBTQ+ artists, art, and the work of our community partners across Northwest Arkansas.

To help you make the most of your visit, here’s a quick roundup of three ways you can celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride at Crystal Bridges and the Momentary:

1. Catch an event at Crystal Bridges, the Momentary, or out in the community.

At the Momentary

Queer Film Festival with NWA Equality

JUN 3, 12 – 10 PM

Kick off the month with a film fest celebrating classic Queer cinema!

Presented in partnership with NWA Equality, enjoy an afternoon and evening of free screenings of feature films and documentaries celebrating and centering on Queer storylines and the experiences of Queer people.

The Momentary’s Fermentation Hall and RØDE House will be transformed into classic and drafthouse-style theaters for the occasion, using state-of-the-art sound and visuals to create the perfect cinema lounge experience.

The festival begins at noon with family-friendly films, food, drinks, fans, and all-ages activities between screenings. As the day (and night) progresses, the films and festivities become progressively spicier (with MPAA ratings and age restrictions to match)—so you can choose the experience that’s right for you!

Free, tickets required.

Learn more about the Queer Film Festival

Pro Tip: The Tower Bar has a new, seasonal trio of Pride-themed cocktails on the menu. Stop by to (responsibly) raise a glass to Queer cinema during the festival, or any other time after 5 p.m. all month!

At Crystal Bridges

Teens dancing in the museum Great Hall at night

Teen Night: Rainbow Disco (Ages 14–18)

JUN 9, 6 – 8 PM

We’re partnering with Mt. Sequoyah’s F.Y.R.E. After School program to invite students in grades 9-12 from all across Northwest Arkansas to enjoy an inclusive evening devoted to art, celebration, and fabulous fun.

Come dance to beats by former Crystal Bridges Teen Council member DJ Girlfriend, express yourself creatively with artmaking by Mt. Sequoyah’s F.Y.R.E. After School program, groove to a silent disco, explore Diego Rivera’s America, and more!

Presented and organized by the Crystal Bridges Teen Council, the evening is designed by teens for teens. Parents and guardians are welcome to relax in a dedicated Guardian Lounge, visit the galleries, and unwind while the kids have fun.

Free, tickets required.
Ages 14 – 18 only.

Learn more about Teen Night

p(ART)y After Dark (Ages 18+)

JUN 9, 9 PM – 12 AM

After the teens have gone home, celebrate Pride Month with an adults-only disco party packed with live music, art, and inclusive fun! Presented in partnership with Bentonville Follies, NWA Equality, and BlakeSt., the night features live performances, food, drinks, gallery tours, and more.

From an all-night dance party with live music by Funk Factory to a silent disco under the stars, beats by Little Rock’s DJ Raquel, drag performances in Eleven, handcrafted bites and drinks, Pride Tours through the galleries, tables by our community partners, and more, we invite you to discover just how glamorous a night at the museum can be.

This event is adults-only (ages 18+), so please bring your ID with you when you arrive. Registration includes one Pride-themed drink (non-alcoholic options available) and admission to all activities and performances.

Tickets are $40 ($32 for members).

Learn more about p(ART)y After Dark

In the Community

CB to You Mobile Art Lab: NWA Pride Festival and Parade

JUN 24, 11 AM – 5 PM

If you’re heading to the NWA Pride Festival hosted by NWA Equality in Fayetteville, be sure to stop by and visit the CB to You Mobile Art Lab while you’re there!

Located at the West Ave. and Dickson St. parking lot in Fayetteville, the NWA Pride festival is the largest LGBTQ+ celebration in Arkansas. The free, drop-in festival runs from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., followed by the 19th Annual Pride Parade down Dickson St. at 5 p.m.

The CB to You Mobile Art Lab will be hosting a free artmaking activity, handing out free art kits, and offering free tickets to our latest exhibition Diego Rivera’s America.

Free, no tickets required.

Learn more about CB to You at NWA Pride

2. Learn more about LGBTQ+ artists in the galleries and online.

Pride is more than just parades and parties, of course—it’s a time to celebrate and commemorate LGBTQ+ individuals and movements across history and today.

To that end, we encourage you to learn about the LGBTQ+ artists found in the museum’s collection by visiting the galleries and exploring our eMuseum database.

The artists represented in this collection reflect the varied and diverse individuals that make up the LGBTQ+ community in the United States and beyond.

Some are historical artists and figures, often living and working amidst restrictive social norms and taboos, while others throughout these eras found ways to express themselves creatively through art. Others still are contemporary artists exploring subjects of identity and social issues today, all while creating works of beauty and self-expression.

Check out the LGBTQ+ Artists eMuseum collection here.