Oct 8, 2024 Download bios and high-resolution images. BENTONVILLE, Ark. — On October 28, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas, will host a conversation with architects Marlon Blackwell, FAIA, and Wesley Walls, AIA, on designing the Heartland Whole Health Institute building and the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. The discussion will explore the influences of nature, community, and wellness in the architectural designs on the Crystal Bridges campus and give a first look at what’s to come when these two buildings open in 2025. Designing for Health and Wellness with Architects Marlon Blackwell and Wesley Walls WHAT: Evening conversation between architects Marlon Blackwell, FAIA, and Wesley Walls, AIA. The conversation will be moderated by Peter MacKeith, dean and professor of architecture at the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas. WHEN: Monday, October 28, 2024 | 6 PM WHERE: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art | 600 Museum Way | Bentonville, AR 72712 HOW: Guests can purchase tickets in advance on the Crystal Bridges website. Tickets are $10 ($5 for members), reserve your spot online or with Guest Experience at (479) 657-2335 today. “Designing for Health and Wellness with Architects Marlon Blackwell and Wesley Walls” is sponsored by Ken and Liz Allen, Andrea Albright, and MailCO USA. ### About Marlon Blackwell Marlon Blackwell, FAIA, is a practicing architect in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and is Distinguished Professor of Architecture and the E. Fay Jones Chair in Architecture at the Fay Jones School of Architecture + Design at the University of Arkansas. Marlon is integrally involved in every phase of the design process, from programming through construction administration, for every project Marlon Blackwell Architects pursues. He is involved on a daily basis, working to establish the design direction and works directly with client leadership on critical issues, ensuring a successful outcome and meaningful relationship. His keen attention to detail and design rigor ensure the success of every project, evident in his acclaim as an architect and educator. About Wesley Walls Wesley Walls, AIA, is an architect and design principal with Polk Stanley Wilcox. A native Arkansan, Wesley has been captivated since childhood by both the natural and built environment. Channeling his interest in manipulating the space around him, he pursued the discipline of architecture and has been instrumental in helping elevate Polk Stanley Wilcox to regional and national acclaim for design excellence. Wesley’s approach to design is innovative, collaborative, and exploratory, with a relentless commitment to both placemaking and relationship building. His inclusive approach to teamwork, problem solving, and project management has cultivated an exceptional reputation with both clients and the broader architectural community. With more than 30 years of experience, his award-winning portfolio of work has primarily focused on large institutional projects with a particular focus on higher education and healthcare commissions. About Peter MacKeith Peter MacKeith is dean and professor of architecture at the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas. Appointed in July 2014, he is the fifth dean of the school. MacKeith is a nationally recognized design educator and administrator. From 1999 to 2014, he was associate dean, professor of architecture and adjunct associate curator for Architecture and Design at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis. MacKeith was the director of the Master of Architecture – International Program at the Helsinki University of Technology Finland from 1995-1999, and he held previous academic appointments at the University of Virginia and Yale University. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Literature and International Relations as an Echols Scholar from the University of Virginia (1981) and his Master of Architecture from Yale University (1985). 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
