Jan 11, 2018 February at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art brings the U.S. debut of a new temporary exhibition, Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power, Artinfusion’s Annual Black Heart’s Ball, Family Sunday, a special concert, and more. As the new year gets underway, this highlights video reflects on the moments and milestones that made 2017 so special at Crystal Bridges. On February 3, Soul of a Nation will open at Crystal Bridges, shining a bright light on the contribution of Black artists to an important period in American history and art. Featuring 60 artists and vibrant paintings, powerful sculptures, street photography, murals, and more, this landmark exhibition is a rare opportunity to see era-defining artworks. Celebrate the opening with Soul of a Nation: Artists in Conversation, a day-long symposium featuring insightful conversations on art, politics, music, and community. Tickets to the symposium have already sold out, but there are options to view including attending a livestream event at the museum, livestreaming at home, or hosting a livestream event. Visit the website to learn more. Celebrate the anti-Valentine’s Day with the Artinfusion’s sixth annual Black Hearts Ball. On February 10, dance the night away with Seratones and their mixture of jazz, blues, and soul music. The main event will start at Crystal Bridges at 8 p.m., with an after-party at 21c at 11 p.m. Crystal Bridges is also hosting a free family event, I ♥ Art Family Sunday, on February 11 with music, art-making, photo booths, and more! Also on February 11, from 10 am to 3 pm, the Museum Store will be celebrating Galentine’s Day with brunch in Eleven, treats, discounts, prizes, and more. The Trillium Salon Series Concert comes to the Great Hall on February 21 with the music of classical composer Florence B. Price, the first African-American woman to have her music performed by a major symphony. Two of Crystal Bridges’ Early American Art Galleries, will be closed for reinstallation through mid-March. More information in this recent press release. 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 August programs is below. Information and registration are available on Crystal Bridges’ calendar of events. Photo Workshop » Soul of a Nation Artist Ming Smith Sunday, February 4, 1 to 3 pm Soul of a Nation artist Ming Smith presents an exclusive photography workshop session for the exhibition’s opening weekend. During this guided workshop, Smith will lead guests downtown, offering tips in street photography. No editing will be done in this class; this is an opportunity for guests to capture and discuss images. Please dress for the weather; guests will meet in the South Lobby for registration before walking downtown. All image taking devices welcome. Figure Drawing Monday, February 5, 19, 1 to 3 pm Join us on the first and third Mondays of each month to draw from a clothed model. Whether you’ve always had a love for figure drawing or are trying it for the first time, you’ll enjoy an afternoon of drawing with other adults at the Museum. A variety of drawing materials will be provided, and model poses will include short warm-up poses and longer poses.$10 ($5/members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. Yoga and Art Monday, February 5, 6 to 7 pm Exercise your body and mind at Crystal Bridges with yoga and art! 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/members), register online or with Guest Services. Bentonville Community Center Class » My Grown-up and Me! Shapes (Ages 2 to 4) Mondays, February 6, 12, and 27, 9 to 10 am Join Crystal Bridges art instructors for Monday children’s classes at the Bentonville Community Center studio. Circles and rectangles and squares, oh my! Explore how artists use shapes, and create your own shape collages, prints, and sculptures. $50 (child with an adult partner), register through the Bentonville Community Center. Bentonville Community Center Class » Preschool Art: Shapes (Ages 4 to 5) Tuesdays, February 6, 13, 20, and 27, 10 to 11 am Circles and rectangles and squares, oh my! Explore how artists use shapes, and create your own shape collages, prints, and sculptures. $60, register through the Bentonville Community Center. Bentonville Community Center Class » Homeschool Art: Colorful Collage (Ages 4 to 6) Tuesdays, February 6, 13, 20, and 27, 1 to 2 pm Create colorful collages using magazines, paint, and tape inspired by the temporary exhibition Soul of a Nation at Crystal Bridges. $60, register through the Bentonville Community Center. Bentonville Community Center Class » Homeschool Art: Colorful Collage (Ages 7 to 12) Tuesdays, February 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2:15 to 3:15 pm Create colorful collages using magazines, paint, and tape that are inspired by the temporary exhibition Soul of a Nation at Crystal Bridges. $60, register through the Bentonville Community Center. Bentonville Community Center Class » After School Art: Cut, Paste, Tape (Ages 5 to 12) Tuesdays, February 6, 13, 20, and 27, 3:30 to 4:30 pm and 5:30 to 6:30pm Experiment with a variety of media and techniques including collage, printmaking, and assemblage inspired by artworks featured in the temporary exhibition Soul of a Nation. $60, register through the Bentonville Community Center. Homeschool Tour and Art: Art and Math Wednesday, February 7, 1 to 3 pm What do art and math have in common? Join us as we view works by artists In our permanent collection that explore mathematical concepts in their art, then create your own work of art based on math. Free, register online or with Guest Services. NEW Tots and Tales » Messy Masterpiece (Ages 1.5 to 3 with an Adult) Wednesday, February 7, 1:30 to 2:30 pm and Saturday, February 10, 10:30 to 11:30 am Get inspired by the colorful abstract paintings in the temporary exhibition Soul of a Nation. Have fun as you experiment with different painting methods to create an abstract, messy masterpiece. $10 ($8/ members), register online or with Guest Services. Preschool Playdate » Love Birds Thursday, February 8, 11:30 am to 2 pm One, two, tweet! Discover artmaking, creative play, and storytime inspired by our feathered friends. Playdate begins with an 11:30 a.m. performance in the Great Hall. Sponsored by The Segal Family Foundation, and Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Free, no registration required. After School Art Class » Art with Soul (Ages 5 to 12) Thursday, February 8, 15, 22, 4 to 5:30pm Explore the portraits, expressive colors, and assemblages of the temporary exhibition Soul of a Nation. Back in the studio, use a variety of media to create art with soul inspired by what we’ve seen. $45/3 sessions ($36/members), register online or with Guest Services. Bentonville Community Center Adult Class Series » Still-Life Drawing Thursdays, February 8, 15, 22, and March 1, 6:30 to 8:30 pm Take part in this four-week series all about still-life drawing! Whether you’re an experienced artist or are discovering still-life sketching for the first time, this evening class will provide guided instruction in the classic art of capturing interesting compositions using a variety of materials, such as charcoal, graphite, and conté. All materials are provided. $90 for 4 weeks, register through the Bentonville Community Center. Homeschool Friday Fun » Mixed Media (Ages 5 to 8 and 9 to 12) Friday, February 9, 16, and 23, 2 to 3:30 pm Create collages, assemblages, and paintings inspired by the temporary exhibition Soul of a Nation, featuring works by Romare Bearden, Betye Saar, and Alma Thomas. $45/3 sessions ($36/members), register online or with Guest Services. Studio Squad » Word Power (Ages 11 to 13) Saturday, February 10, 4 to 5:30 pm What words inspire you? Check out artworks in the temporary exhibition Soul of a Nation that use powerful phrases and visuals, and then use paint and a large canvas to create a work of art that’s worth a thousand words! This workshop is designed for tweens without an accompanying adult. Free, register online or with Guest Services. Artinfusion’s Annual Black Hearts Ball Saturday, February 10, 8 to 11 pm Break up with your traditional Valentine’s Day plans, and join us for Artinfusion’s sixth annual Black Hearts Ball! Get down to a mixture of jazz, blues, and soul from Seratones, a favorite of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series. Appetizers will be served throughout the night, and Cupid has provided a love potion recipe for our signature cocktail. This event is for ages 21 and up. The special exhibition, Soul of a Nation: Art In the Age of Black Power, will be open throughout the night. $45 (Free for Artinfusion members), register online or with Guest Services. Family Sunday » I Heart Art Sunday, February 11, noon to 5 pm Mark your calendars for our sixth annual I ♥ Art Family Sunday! Bring your loved ones to Crystal Bridges to enjoy music, hands-on fun, a photo booth, and more. Get ready for the Great Backyard Bird Count by making your own love bird from model magic, googly eyes, and feathers! You’ll LOVE what we have planned for this event! Free, no registration required. Mini Masters » Color Abstraction (Ages 4 to 5 with an Adult) Wednesday, February 14, 1:30 to 2:30 pm and Saturday, February 17, 10:30 to 11:30 am Discover colorful abstract art featured in the temporary exhibition Soul of a Nation. Your preschooler will experiment with scrape paintings to create their own abstraction! $10 ($8/members), register online or with Guest Services. Library Book Club » Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead Wednesday, February 14, 1:30 to 3:30 pm Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, this #1 New York Times bestseller from Colson Whitehead is a magnificent tale chronicling a young slave’s adventures as she makes a desperate bid for freedom in the antebellum South. Free, register online or with Guest Services. SOLD OUT WOW » Love Lost Wednesday, February 14, 6 to 7:30 pm Please join museum curators and culinarians as they discuss the many images of lost love in the Crystal Bridges collection. Open to guests ages 21 and above. $45 ($36/members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. Figure Drawing from the Nude Model Wednesday, February 14, 28, 6:30 to 8:30 pm Join us on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month for this adult figure drawing class with a nude model. A variety of drawing materials will be provided, and model poses will include short warm-up poses and longer poses. Participants must be 18 or older. Note: Figure-drawing sessions with a clothed model are offered on the first and third Mondays of each month, and are open to participants ages 14 and up.$10 ($5/members), register online or with Guest Services Discover the Grounds » Great Backyard Bird Count with Jay Schneider Saturday, February 17, 10 to 11:30 am Kick off our first Discover the Grounds of the year to celebrate the National Audubon Society’s Great Backyard Bird Count with a guided walk by Jay Schneider, Assistant Parks Supervisor at Hobbs State Park. The 21st Annual GBBC is a chance for bird watchers of any age to watch, record, and learn about the native birds in your own backyard. Each checklist submitted during the GBBC helps researchers learn more about how birds are doing, as well as how to protect them and the environment we share. A guided bird-watching walk on our beautiful grounds will follow the presentation; make sure to dress warmly! Free, register online or with Guest Services. Artinfusion » Happy Hour + Happening Thursday, February 22, 7 to 8:30 pm Join us each month for exciting happenings following Artinfusion’s monthly happy hour! Once a month, the museum space will be turned on its head for creative events that feature fun groups in the community. With intimate concerts, trivia nights, comedy shows, and more, you never know what you might experience at these events; not to mention, it’s a great way to meet people in Northwest Arkansas! Concert » Trillium Salon Series Wednesday, February 21, 7 to 8:30 pm Engage intimately with music for strings and piano from Arkansas’s rarely performed classical composer Florence B. Price, an Arkansas native who became the first African-American woman to have her music performed by a major symphony orchestra when the Chicago Symphony premiered her Symphony at the 1933 World’s Fair, with newly discovered works marking their premiere on the Van Cliburn grand piano. This Trillium Salon Series concert invites a blurring between audience and performer to invite connection and interaction, redefining the classical performance experience. Join KUAF Classical Radio Host “Of Note” Katy Henriksen and University of Arkansas Music Professor Er-Gene Kahng for a to experience rarely heard chamber works that showcase Price’s singular style: a fusion of American vernacular folk melodies to a deep understanding of the grand European classical canon. These rarely heard pieces for piano and strings went unpublished in Price’s lifetime and only recently discovered in the attic of her one-time Chicago home and donated to the University of Arkansas Special Collections. The concert builds upon Kahng’s extensive experience as a catalyst for the celebration of this important yet mostly forgotten composer including a studio recording of Price’s two violin concertos, which Kahng performs with the Arkansas Philharmonic in February. Free, register online or with Guest Services. DISH » Dr. Missy Clifton Thursday, February 22, 6 to 7:30 pm This series cultivates lively, insightful dialogue with women in the culinary and art worlds while you enjoy appetizers and drinks. Board-certified dermatologist Missy Clifton founded Bentonville’s Premier Dermatology in 2004 with the goal of creating a state-of-the-art practice with “all things skin under one roof.” Open to guests ages 21 and above. Sponsored by Arvest Bank, Gelmart International, Cindy Flynt Walters and Betty Flynt, Onyx Coffee Lab, and Briar Rose Bakery. $48 ($38/members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. Art by the Glass » Poster Prints Friday, February 23, 6:30 to 8:30 pm Discover the powerful print work of Emory Douglas and other artists in the temporary exhibition Soul of A Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power. Learn techniques to create your own poster print using screen printing. All materials, plus two glasses of wine and appetizers, are provided. Open to guests ages 21 and up. $55 ($44/ members), register online or with Guest Services. Spotlight Talk » Panel Discussion: African-American Athletes in Arkansas Wednesday, February 28, 7 to 8 pm Join author Evin Demirel for a conversation around his book African-American Athletes in Arkansas, with guest speakers NBA and NCAA All-Star Sidney Moncrief and National High School Sports Hall of Fame coach Oliver Elders. The evening will include personal stories from the speaker celebrating the Arkansas’s rich African-American sports legacy and the Black Razorbacks of Northwest Arkansas. A book signing will follow the discussion. A longtime figure in Arkansas sports, Evin Demirel is the author of African-American Athletes in Arkansas: Muhammad Ali’s Tour, Black Razorbacks and Other Forgotten Stories. Demirel has written for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, The New York Times, Sporting Life Arkansas, SB Nation Longform, and SlamOnline. A Little Rock native, he previously taught at Episcopal Collegiate. Free, register online or with Guest Services. CB Babies Saturday, February 24, 10 to 11:30 am Join us for this special program for the museum’s youngest visitors: infants ages 3 to 24 months with a caregiver. You’ll spend time in the galleries looking at and talking to your baby about art before enjoying sensory playtime. We’ll visit new artworks and make new discoveries together each month! 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 siblings. $10 ($8/members), register online or with Guest Services. For a complete list of current exhibitions, visit here. For news updates, follow Crystal Bridges on the Blog, Facebook or Twitter.
