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Crystal Bridges Moves into Fall with Focus Exhibitions and Distinguished Speakers

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is moving into the new season with focus exhibitions, distinguished speakers, the fall encore of the Forest Concert Series, and the last days of The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe and Contemporary Art.

The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe and Contemporary Art features over 30 of O’Keeffe’s artworks alongside the work of 20 contemporary artists exploring similar themes. The Beyond will close on Monday, September 3, 2018.

Two new focus exhibitions will open on September 1: In Amy Sherald, visitors will get to view a collection of paintings by the artist who created the official portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama. The artist will be at the museum for a free Spotlight Talk on September 7 and a Gallery Conversation on September 20. In Conversation: Will Wilson and Edward Curtis offers visitors a chance to see different depictions of Native Americans and to think critically about how they have been portrayed in photography over the past century.

Crystal Bridges’ annual Light Night party takes place on Saturday, September 1. Catch live music, games, dancing and more around Leo Villareal’s Buckyball. Before the event, there will be a special happy hour presented by Artinfusion and Bike Rack Brewery at 8th St. Market from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and then a pre-show glow ride will take place from Bike Rack to Crystal Bridges starting at 7:30 p.m. The best-decorated LED bike and costume will win tickets to Art Night Out on November 10. All ages are welcome. The event is free, no registration required.

The popular Forest Concert Series continues through the fall on Saturday nights in September and October. The first fall concert will take places on Saturday, September 8 with Northwest Arkansas favorite Opal Agafia & The Sweet Nothings and Brooklyn-based duo, The Bergamot. Tickets are now available here; free for members.

Lead producer of Hamilton: An American Musical, Jeffrey Seller will be at Crystal Bridges on Wednesday, September 12 as part of the museum’s Distinguished Speaker Series to have a conversation with KUAF radio host Kyle Kellams about what makes a hit, the role of live theater in the digital age, and his work to make American musicals more accessible. Tickets are now available here.

Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist, Arturo O’Farrill, will be performing in the Great Hall as part of the Van Cliburn Concert Series on Friday, September 14. Don’t miss a memorable night of Afro Latino jazz by a world-renowned artist.

Wheelchair seating is accessible at all programs. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation is offered at all Distinguished Speaker Lectures and at the Collection Highlights tour on the third Saturday of each month. Based on availability, ASL is available for all programs and tours upon advanced request. Please contact access@crystalbridges.org or 479.657.2415 to schedule. Relay or voice calls are welcome.

STAY IN THE KNOW! Log in or create an account to customize your eNewsletters based on your interests. A full listing of September programs is below. Information and registration are available on Crystal Bridges’ calendar of events.

Light Night
Saturday, September 1, 8 to 11 pm
Get your glow sticks ready for our sixth annual Light Night festival! Explore an illuminated wonderland of creativity, lights, music, and dance around Leo Villareal’s Buckyball. Kishi Bashi and ensemble hit the main stage for a high-energy electronic pop set. Catch a sound spectacle parade, pop-up light art installations by the Hillberry Festival, fire dancers, glow artmaking, a black-light graffiti wall, and more. A cash bar and food trucks are available. Free, no registration required.

Figure Drawing
Monday, September 3 & September 17, 1 to 3 pm
Practice the basics during an afternoon of figure drawing at the museum. A variety of drawing materials will be provided. $10 ($5 for members), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Yoga and Art
Monday, September 3, 6 to 7 pm
Join Lynn Hancock of Yoga Story in an uplifting group class that explores different facets of vinyasa as well as various disciplines of yoga practice. Open to all levels. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mats and dress appropriately. $5 (Free for members), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Tots and Tales » Building Blocks (Ages 1.5 to 3 with an adult)
Wednesday, September 5, 1:30 to 2:30 pm
(OR) Saturday, September 8, 10:30 to 11:30 am
Enjoy two opportunities for this class for toddlers! Explore different building materials used by Moshe Safdie to make Crystal Bridges. Play with blocks, enjoy story time, and make your own mini-building to take home. $10 ($8 for members), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Fall Forest Fun » Nature Night: Fibonacci in the Forest
Wednesday, September 5, 5:30 to 7 pm
How much math can you find in the forest? Join us for discovery and artmaking as we explore symmetry, the golden ratio, gravity, geometry, and of course, the Fibonacci sequence!  Free, no registration required.

Afterschool Art Class » Artful Fashions (Ages 5 to 12)
Thursday, September 6, 13, and 20, 4 to 5:30 pm
Get inspired by artworks in our permanent collection and create your own artful fashions. Set the next trend with a hat, jewelry, and scarf you make in the studio! $45 ($36 for members)/3 sessions, register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Member Scoop » Rare Books Tour
Thursday, September 6, 7 to 8:30 pm
Time to hit the books! Join Librarian Jeanne Besaw as she leads a tour of the museum’s rare books collection. Complimentary wine and snacks will be provided. Free, register online or by calling the Member Priority Line at 479.418.5728.

Homeschool Friday Fun » Wearable Art (Ages 5-8 and 9-12)
Friday, September 7, 14, and 21, 2 to 3:30 pm
Merge art and fashion to create wearable art. Rock sculptural headwear, dye fabric, and create wearable art out of unusual materials like tape! $45 ($36 for members)/3 sessions, register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Spotlight Talk » Amy Sherald
Friday, September 7, 7 to 8 pm
Join us for an evening lecture with artist Amy Sherald, celebrating the opening of the focus exhibition, Amy Sherald. The artist behind the commissioned portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama, Sherald paints staged narratives and constructed identities, creating portraits of African Americans. Sponsored by Deloitte. Free, register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Forest Concert Series » Opal Agafia & The Sweet Nothings, The Bergamot
Saturday, September 8, 7 to 10 pm
Kick off the fall concert season with two acts fronted by strong female singers: Northwest Arkansas’s favorite Opal Agafia and The Sweet Nothings, and Jillian Speece with Nathaniel Hoff from the Brooklyn-based duo The Bergamot. $10 (free for Members and youth ages 18 and under), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335. *Please Note: Though tickets for members and youth ages 18 and under are free, a printed ticket is required for entry.

Adult Workshop » Paper Flower Workshop
Sunday, September 9, 1 to 5 pm
Learn the artful technique of paper flower making for blooms that never wilt! This workshop will feature guided instruction for creating a variety of delicate blossoms, inspired by the focus exhibition, The Garden. All materials provided. $55 ($44 for members), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

CR(EAT)E » Art Inspires Cuisine
Sunday, September 9, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Enjoy a glimpse and taste of how art inspires the culinary world of Crystal Bridges. Join us for an evening of food, education, and entertainment focused on the intrinsic intersection of art and cuisine. $105 ($84/members), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Meditation and Mindfulness » No. 210 / 211 (Orange) by Mark Rothko
Monday, September 10, 1 to 2 pm
Take a break from your busy life and come to Crystal Bridges for rejuvenation in a guided meditation surrounded by the beauty of art and nature. This session will be held indoors in front of the artwork No. 210 / 211 (Orange) by Mark Rothko. Free, no registration required.

Bentonville Community Center Class » My Grown-up and Me: Art Detectives (Ages 2 to 4, with a caregiver)
Monday, September 10, 17, and 24, 9:30 to 10:30 am (ages 2 to 4); 11 to 12 pm (ages 4 to 5)
Calling all art sleuths! Each Monday, we’ll solve a new mystery and create magnificent, mysterious art projects in the studio. $50, register online through the Bentonville Community Center or by calling 479.696.0200.

Bentonville Community Center Class » Homeschool Art: Art & Science (Ages 5 to 12)
Monday, September 10, 17, and 24, 2 to 3:30 pm
Discover different artist techniques—like artist Morris Louis’s use of gravity—then create your own inspired artworks using watercolor, baking soda, marbles, and more! $50, register online through the Bentonville Community Center or by calling 479.696.0200.

Bentonville Community Center Class » Afterschool Art: Put the STEAM in Art (Ages 5 to 12)
Monday, September 10, 17, and 24, 4 to 5:30 pm
Use observation strategies to discover different artist techniques—like artist Morris Louis’s use of gravity—and then create your own inspired artworks using watercolor, baking soda, marbles, and more! $50, register online through the Bentonville Community Center or by calling 479.696.0200.

Creative Connections
Monday, September 10, 1:30 to 3:30 pm
Join us for Creative Connections, a program for individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia and their care partners. No prior art experience is required! Refreshments and art materials are provided. Free, contact the Alzheimer’s Association at 479.273.5559 or sdillingham@alz.orgto register.

Mini Masters » Architecture (Ages 4 to 5 with an adult)
Wednesday, September 12, 1:30 to 2:30 pm
(OR) Saturday, September 15, 10:30 to 11:30 am
Put on your hard hats as you discover the materials and shapes that make up Crystal Bridges. Let your imagination soar as you play with blocks, enjoy storytime, and create your own architectural model. $10 ($8 for members), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Figure Drawing from the Nude Model
Wednesday, September 12 & September 26, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Join us in the studio for an evening of drawing from a live model, featuring both shorter warm-up poses and longer poses. All materials are provided. Participants must be 18 or older. $10 ($5 for members), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Play with Passion
Wednesday, September 12, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Join Crystal Bridges and Play with Passion outdoors at Buckyball for an evening of glow-in-the-dark fun and a cookout! Play with Passion is a volunteer organization through the Bentonville Schools that visits community sites once a month to promote activities and athletics for youth with disabilities and their families. Free, register by contacting Sheila Munn at smunn@bentonvillek12.org or Kathy Breed at breedmack1014@aol.com for more information.

Distinguished Speaker Series » Jeffrey Seller, Producer of Hamilton, in conversation with KUAF Radio Host Kyle Kellams
Wednesday, September 12, 7 to 8 pm
Jeffrey Seller is the lead producer of the Broadway hit musical, Hamilton: An American Musical! In conversation with KUAF Radio host Kyle Kellams, Seller will weigh in on what makes a hit, the role of live theater in the digital age, and his work to make American musicals more accessible. $15 ($12 for members, $5 for students), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Preschool Playdate » Tell Me a Story
Thursday, September 13, 11:30 am to 2 pm
Listen to stories in the gallery, and make puppets inspired by the artworks in our permanent collection. Playdate begins with an 11:30 performance in the Great Hall. Free, no registration required.

Gallery Conversation » Will Wilson and Edward Curtis
Thursday, September 13, 1 pm to 2 pm
Join Curator Mindy Besaw for an opening talk in the new focus exhibition In Conversation: Will Wilson and Edward Curtis. Space is limited; please arrive 5 to 10 minutes early. Free, no registration required.

 Art & English
Thursday, September 13, 6:30 to 7:30 pm
Adult English language learners are encouraged to practice their conversational English skills while discussing artworks in the galleries. Children of participants are invited to join the gallery discussion or make an art project with an art instructor in the studios during the program. Free. To register, email LiteracyPrograms@CrystalBridges.org.

Museum Store Sidewalk Sale
Friday, September 14, through Sunday, September 16, 10 am to 6 pm
Join us in the museum courtyard for the Museum Store Sidewalk Sale! Browse fantastic items including home décor, jewelry, books, and more starting at 50% off. Discounts do not apply to sale items. All sales are final. Free, no registration required.

Members-Only Creative Conversation » Arturo O’Farrill
Friday, September 14th, 6 to 6:30 pm
Join Grammy Award-winning pianist and composer Arturo O’Farrill for a pre-concert conversation hosted by Robert Ginsburg, Executive Director of the NWA Jazz Society. Enjoy beverages and prime seating in the Great Hall for a memorable Latin jazz concert by a world-renowned performer. Free, register online or by calling the Member Priority Line at 479.418.5728.

Van Cliburn Concert Series » Pianist and Composer, Arturo O’Farrill
Friday, September 14, 7 to 9 pm
Arturo O’Farrill is a Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist and composer. He is the artistic director of the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, a partner ensemble with the Jazz at the Lincoln Center. O’Farrill continues his family legacy in Latin music inspired by his late father, Chico O’Farrill. $50 ($40 for members), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Forest Concert Series » Cha Cha Cha! From Mambo to Salsa presented by Son Sin Gnero
Saturday, September 15, 7 to 10 pm
Northwest Arkansas’s newest salsa band, Son Sin Gnero, takes the main stage for an evening of hot Latin music and dancing in the forest. $10 (Free for members and youth ages 18 and under), register online or with Guest Services. *Please Note: Though tickets for members and youth ages 18 and under are free, a printed ticket is required for entry. Reserve these tickets online or with Guest Services.

Discover the Grounds » Magical World of Moss Gardening
Saturday, September 15, 10 am to 12 pm
Discover the magic of mosses in today’s landscapes with Annie Martin. Your journey will include an engaging presentation on impressive moss gardens, moss ID samples, and valuable tips on how to succeed as a moss gardener. Free, register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Discover the Grounds Workshop » Creating Moss Terrariums
Sunday, September 16, 1 to 3 pm
Participants will make their own terrarium featuring verdant green mosses, native plants, and decorative rocks. All materials provided. $30 ($24 for members), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

ArtBuzz » Marlon Blackwell Architects
Wednesday, September 19, 7 to 8:30 pm
Experience architecture in a whole new way through this program that mixes art, a signature cocktail, and conversation for an evening that will leave you buzzing! This evening, Principals of Marlon Blackwell Architects, Marlon and Meryati Blackwell will speak directly to recent work completed in the region. $20 ($16 for members), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Gallery Conversation » Amy Sherald Exhibition
Thursday, September 20, 1 pm
Join Curator Lauren Haynes for a conversation in the focus exhibition, Amy Sherald. Artist Amy Sherald gained public attention in early 2018 when her portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama was revealed at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Space is limited; please arrive 5 to 10 minutes early. Free, no registration required.

DISH » Denise Firmin Garner
Thursday, September 20, 6 to 7:30 pm
Enjoy a stylized, insightful glimpse into Denise Firmin Garner’s work as a social activist and community advocate for the Northwest Arkansas region while you enjoy appetizers and drinks. $50 ($40 for members), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Dance Night » Salsa Beats
Friday, September 21, 8 to 11 pm
Dance the night away in the beautiful setting of the Great Hall for an evening of Salsa beats! Free, register online or with Guest Services.

Saturday, September 22, 9 am to 1 pm
Saturday Session
Four-hour Saturday morning workshops focusing on particular topics and ways in which they may be a resource for teachers’ classroom curricula. Each session includes a studio artmaking component. Materials and refreshments provided. Separate registration for each session. Four hours Professional Development available. $10 ($8 members)/Register online.

Gallery Conversation » Scattering Screen by Alyson Shotz
Saturday, September 22, 1 pm
Join Associate Curator Allison Glenn for an outdoor conversation on Scattering Screen by Alyson Shotz, located in the beautiful North Forest. Using the ideas of reflection, light, gravity, and space, Shotz is able to create a work that shifts the viewer’s perception of nature. Space is limited; please arrive 5 to 10 minutes early. Free, no registration required.

Forest Concert Series » Kiran Ahluwalia Celebrates Love and Diversity!
Saturday, September 22, 7 to 10 pm
Two-time JUNO award winner Kiran Ahluwalia graces the Forest Concert Series fresh from her  “LOVEfest” tour, which featured four acts from Sikh and Muslim countries and was designed as a musical response to hate crime. $10 (Free for members and youth ages 18 and under), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335. *Please Note: Though tickets for members and youth ages 18 and under are free, a printed ticket is required for entry.

Tween Night
Saturday, September 22, 7 to 9 pm
Join us for the museum’s Tween Night! Crystal Bridges’ fantastic Teen Council has planned a great evening for young students featuring a DJ, dancing, artmaking, and unique gallery experiences. This party is free and open to all area middle and junior high school students. Parents can drop off and pick up their tweens, or hang out in the parent lounge during the event. Sponsored by Nickelodeon. Free, no registration required.

Concert » The Mexican Consulate presents Paco Renteria and ensemble
Sunday, September 23, 4 to 5:30 pm
Enjoy an intimate concert in the Great Hall presented by the Mexican Consulate featuring Paco Rentaria and his ensemble, known as the most successful guitarist in Mexico. Mexican President Felipe Calderón awarded him as Musical Ambassador for Mexico to foreign countries. Free with online registration or with Guest Services.

Creative Connections
Monday, September 24, 1:30 to 3:30 pm
Join us for Creative Connections, a program for individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or 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. Free, contact the Alzheimer’s Association at 479.273.5559 or sdillingham@alz.org to register.

WOW » Outdoor Sculptures
Wednesday, September 26, 6 to 7:30 pm
Join host Case Dighero and museum curators as they discuss the newly acquired and installed sculptures throughout Crystal Bridges. Open to guests ages 21 and above. $50 ($40 for members), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Fall Forest Fun » Nature Night: Hammock Hang & Outdoor Skills
Thursday, September 27, 5:30 to 7 pm
Meet us in the North Forest for an evening with our friends from Pack Rat Outdoor Center and Hobbs State Park! Pick up some new outdoor skills, have some fun, then kick back and relax in a hammock. Free, no registration required.

Library » The Great Reveal
Thursday, September 27, 7 to 8 pm
Get a sneak peek at the Library vaults with rare books and ephemera. Free, register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Artinfusion Presents: Maya: Raj and Rozenbridge
Thursday, September 27, 8 to 10 pm
Artinfusion presents an evening of music and stand-up comedy in Maya: a new show featuring local comedian Raj Suresh and local music duo, Rozenbridge. Together, Raj and Rozenbridge create Maya: a show filled with plenty of comedy, a handful of thought-provoking concepts, and amazing music, lights, and sound in the museum’s Great Hall. Tickets on sale now! Price: $15 public, $12 for members, Free for Artinfusion members.

Art by the Glass » Floral Jewelry
Friday, September 28, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Create your own wearable art in this class that pairs wine with an art project! Led by educator Sally Ball, guests will use jewelry wire and beads to create their own wearable work of art inspired by the focused exhibition The Garden. All materials, appetizers, and two glasses of wine are provided. Open to ages 21 and up. $55 ($44 for members), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Artinfusion Insight » Mural Musings with Yatika Fields
Friday, September 28, 6 to 8 pm
Join Artinfusion for a unique insight taking place off site at a new mural in Downtown Bentonville created by Yatika Fields. Fields will discuss creating public art, reacting to public spaces, and being inspired by the local community. Fields is an artist featured in our temporary exhibition, Art for a New Understanding: Native Voices, 1950s to Now. After the tour, join us for a drink with Fields at one of the local bars. Free to Artinfusion members. Register online.

CB Babies
Saturday, September 29, 10 to 11:30 am
Join us for this special program for the museum’s youngest visitors: infants ages 3 to 24 months and a caregiver. Spend time in the galleries looking at and talking to your baby about art before enjoying sensory playtime. Make sure you are able to hold your baby or have them in a front carrier; they need to see and physically react to the artworks. This is a time to bond with your baby, so please make other arrangements for any siblings. $10 ($8 for members), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Studio Squad » What Makes it Art? (Ages 11 to 13)
Saturday, September 29, 4 to 5:30 pm
What does “art” mean to you? Join us while we play gallery games to highlight some of the boldest artists in the permanent collection. Back in the studio we will use paint, canvas, hot glue, cardboard, and much more to create our own definition of “art.” Free, register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Forest Concert Series » AHI
Saturday, September 29, 7 to 10 pm
Indie-soul-folk songwriter AHI (pronounced ‘I’) is a rare talent who independently toured over 50,000 miles through the vast woodlands of Canada and the neon lights of Nashville, to the Guggenheim Museum in New York. $10 (Free for members and youth ages 18 and under), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335. *Please Note: Though tickets for members and youth ages 18 and under are free, a printed ticket is required for entry.

For a complete list of current exhibitions, visit here. For news updates, follow Crystal Bridges on the Blog, Facebook or Twitter.