The first newly-transformed gallery highlights artists and stories from the 18th to early 20th centuries
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BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art reaches a major milestone in its expansion on Saturday, July 19, when the museum’s first newly-transformed gallery opens to the public. The Foundations of American Art Gallery is located in the former Contemporary space and features works many visitors may remember from the Early American collection, like Georgia O’Keeffe’s Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 and Richard Caton Woodville’s War News from Mexico, as well as several new works that will surprise, delight, and inspire guests. The installation highlights artists and stories from the 18th to early 20th centuries, connecting the past with the present.
Designed to spark curiosity and conversation, the updated space follows a loose timeline, moving from Modern art to early American works, including works by women, Craft, and Indigenous artists. The experience is enhanced through interactive elements like large-scale graphics, touchable objects, digital features, library books in English and Spanish, immersive soundscapes, impressive frames, and newly displayed rare books from the Crystal Bridges Library collection. Outside, a new garden courtyard inspired by the landscapes of Martin Johnson Heade invites reflection and discovery, featuring a vibrant mix of tropical and native plants alongside sculpture.
As part of the Crystal Bridges collection, Foundations of American Art is free to all during Crystal Bridges’ regular museum hours. No ticket is required.
Crystal Bridges aims to revolutionize the art museum experience. In 2026, Crystal Bridges will expand access to five centuries of American Art by adding another 114,000-square-feet of new space and showcasing a transformed way for visitors to interact with every part of the building – facilitating surprise and delight, joyful learning, and ever-broadening American stories.
- As part of Crystal Bridges’ expansion, the museum is moving almost every work of art in the building. The major transformation of the museum’s galleries began in March 2025.
- The next phase of art movement in the galleries will begin in late September 2025.
- A “behind-the-scenes” visible art storage experience gives visitors a rare, interactive glimpse into the hidden journey of artworks. These galleries, located on the main glass bridge, are mini replicas of Crystal Bridges’ vault. The Trails and Grounds across the campus are open, and sculpture work is ongoing.
- The last day to see Crystal Bridges’ temporary exhibition, KAWS: FAMILY, is Monday, July 28. Tickets are $15, and free for Crystal Bridges members, SNAP participants, veterans, and adults and youth 25 and under.
- The new Crystal Bridges and the Momentary gallery at XNA is now open, themed Home and Away.
Crystal Bridges sits on a 134-acre campus filled with nature walks, outdoor sculpture, and trails connecting new buildings, like Heartland Whole Health Institute, which opened to the public May 1, and Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, which welcomed its first class of students this week. Guests can enjoy a significant amount of the Crystal Bridges collection, along with the museum’s temporary exhibition, KAWS: FAMILY.
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.
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