Jun 11, 2024 Debris cleanup continues across Crystal Bridges’ campus BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art today announced the Summer Forest Concert Series slated to begin this month will be canceled due to storm damage in the museum’s North Forest. The concert series will resume in 2025. In the early hours of May 26, 2024, the Northwest Arkansas region experienced significant severe storms and tornadoes, leaving a path of damage across Benton County. Crystal Bridges and the Momentary’s hearts go out to community members, including those among its staff, volunteers, and friends and families, who continue to experience challenges from the storms. The grounds of Crystal Bridges and the Momentary were two of the locations that sustained damage. Hundreds of trees were lost across the Crystal Bridges campus, including in the North Forest. The museum’s staff and the community are saddened by the damage to the Trails & Grounds at Crystal Bridges, but the museum knows its problems are surmountable. For every large tree lost, multiple tree saplings remain standing. Though devastating, this is a generational change in the forest, birthing a new landscape. The natural process of forest succession is happening, and Crystal Bridges will have the chance to shape the landscape in new ways. More opportunities for gardens, art, and moments of connecting to nature and the great outdoors will be at the forefront of future planning. For now, access to the North Forest remains restricted while cleanup continues. Keeping the safety and comfort of guests top-of-mind, the Summer Forest Concert Series for 2024 has been canceled. Current ticket holders will automatically receive a full refund. Those affected can contact Guest Experience at (479) 657-2335 with any questions. The lineup for the 2025 Summer Forest Concert Series will be announced later. The Trails & Grounds team is working swiftly and safely to reopen the North Forest in anticipation of the planned fall/winter light experience by Klip Collective. Across the Crystal Bridges campus, access to several trails is restricted, while others have now opened. Reopening the trails will happen in a sequencing fashion that makes sense from a safety and accessibility standpoint. Status: Crystal Bridges’ Art Trail is now open. Guests can access the Art Trail from Crystal Bridges’ Lower Parking and the South Lawn. Downtown Bentonville access to the Art Trail remains restricted by debris. The Orchard Trail and Tulip Trail remain closed until further notice. All Crystal Bridges trails will be closed on Tuesdays for ongoing tree and debris clearing. For reopening and other programmatic updates, follow the museum on social media @crystalbridgesmuseum. The Crystal Bridges Summer Forest Concert Series is sponsored by iHeartMedia and is presented on the Coca-Cola Stage. ### 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 12.2 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 120 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. Crystal Bridges offers public programs including lectures, performances, classes, and teacher development opportunities. Some 418,375 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 nearly 100,000 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. Media Contact: media@crystalbridges.org.
