Gallery opens with Home and Away exhibition exploring dual themes of everyday life and artistic journeys
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BENTON COUNTY – Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary have unveiled a new satellite gallery at Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA). Located just beyond security near B gates, the gallery features a rotating lineup of works from the museum’s permanent collection. Designed as a refreshing escape from the rush of travel, the space invites visitors to pause, recharge, and connect with the power of art.
“We’re honored to partner with Crystal Bridges and the Momentary to bring this unique cultural experience into our terminal,” said Aaron Burkes, CEO of Northwest Arkansas National Airport. “This gallery reflects our commitment to creating a more vibrant, welcoming airport for the region we serve—and to offering travelers a meaningful sense of place that connects them to the spirit of Northwest Arkansas from the moment they arrive.”
The Crystal Bridges gallery debuts with Home and Away, a new exhibition organized by the museum. Featuring paintings, prints, photographs, and drawings from the collection—some on view for the very first time—the show offers a compelling look at how American artists navigate themes of place and discovery. One half of the exhibition focuses on the familiar—scenes from home, neighborhoods, and sweeping views of a storied frontier. The other half ventures outward, highlighting artists inspired by travel and distant horizons.
“We’re thrilled to extend the spirit of Crystal Bridges and the Momentary beyond our museum walls and into the rhythm of travel at XNA,” said Josie Johnson, PhD, assistant curator of modern art at Crystal Bridges and the Momentary. “With Home and Away as the opening exhibition, this gallery offers travelers a unique opportunity to pause and engage with powerful works of art that reflect both the comforts of home and the allure of the unknown. It’s an invitation to reflect, find inspiration, and connect with the American story—right in the middle of their journey.”
Over the course of two years, the gallery will feature four rotating groupings of works, including landscapes and botanical studies; cityscapes and architectural studies; artworks centered on the artist’s own home and community; artworks inspired by the artist’s long or influential trips abroad; and self-portraits.
Home and Away is free to view for ticketed travelers at XNA. The exhibition is open during the airport’s operational hours. For more information, visit the museum’s website.
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About Northwest Arkansas National Airport
Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) is committed to connecting one of the fastest-growing regions in the country to the rest of the world through safe, convenient, and customer-focused air travel. Opened in 1998, XNA now serves more than 2 million travelers annually with nonstop service to major business and leisure destinations across the United States. XNA is undergoing a Terminal Modernization Project to meet the needs of the growing region, improve passenger experience, and enhance operational efficiency. For more information, visit www.flyxna.com.
About Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Since opening in 2011, the museum has welcomed more than 14 million visitors across its spaces, with no cost for admission. Crystal Bridges was founded in 2005 as a non-profit charitable organization by arts patron and philanthropist, Alice Walton. The collection spans five centuries of American masterworks from early American to current day and is enhanced by temporary exhibitions. The museum is nestled on 134 acres of Ozark landscape and was designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie. A rare Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house was preserved and relocated to the museum grounds in 2015. Home of the prestigious Don Tyson Prize for the Advancement of American Art and Tyson Scholars of American Art Program, Crystal Bridges offers public programs including lectures, performances, classes, and teacher development opportunities. Some 478,375 school children have participated in the Willard and Pat Walker School Visit program, which provides educational experiences for school groups at no cost to the schools. Additional museum amenities include a restaurant, gift store, library, and five miles of art and walking trails. In February 2020, the museum opened the Momentary in Downtown Bentonville (507 SE E Street), conceived as a platform for the art, food, and music of our time. In 2026, Crystal Bridges will complete a 114,000 square foot expansion that will allow the museum to expand access for all. For more information, visit CrystalBridges.org. The museum is located at 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712.
About the Momentary
Opened in February of 2020 in Downtown Bentonville, the Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time; and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is ‘a living room’ where community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. The Momentary was founded by the Walton family, based on the vision of Tom, Olivia, and Steuart Walton. Its commitment to cultivating arts and cultural experiences provides more opportunities for education, engagement, and enjoyment in our region. The Momentary is an extension of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, founded by Alice Walton. The Momentary welcomes all with free general admission. Additional offerings include live music, visual and performing arts, an artist-in-residence program, culinary experiences such as Onyx Coffee Lab and the sky-high Tower Bar, indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, an outdoor festival space, and a retail shop. For more information, visit theMomentary.org. The Momentary is located at 507 SE E Street, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712. The Momentary’s Founding Funders are Walton Family Foundation, Walmart, RØDE Microphones, The Coca-Cola Company, Tyson Family Foundation, and Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation.
Media Contact
media@crystalbridges.org