May 13, 2013 Visiting scholars to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art will now have their own set of wheels during their residencies, courtesy of Phat Tire Bike Shop. The Bentonville business has donated four bicycles for use by recipients of the Tyson Scholars of American Art fellowships while they are in residence in Bentonville. The Tyson Scholars program was established last fall by the museum with a gift from Tyson Foods, Inc. and the Tyson family. Scholars selected for the program will journey to Bentonville from universities, museums and other institutions across the nation and around the world to conduct research into American art and art history using the Crystal Bridges collection and library resources. Scholars are housed in facilities near the museum, but many do not have access to a car during their residency. The donated bicycles will provide scholars with a ready means of transportation. “Bentonville is an extremely bicycle-friendly community,” said Rod Bigelow, Crystal Bridges’ executive director. “Having bicycles available to the scholars will not only provide them with a quick way to get to the museum, but will also give them an entrée into the culture of our community and a means to take advantage of the extensive trails available in Bentonville and Rogers. We are grateful to Phat Tire for making these bicycles available to our visiting scholars.” “We’ve been involved with Crystal Bridges since the development of these trails, and we’re excited that the museum is so close, since we’re located on the downtown Bentonville square,” said Phat Tire Bike Shop owner Chris Brosh. “We felt this would be a great way to help connect the museum with destinations around town.” Along with the bicycles, Phat Tire has donated helmets, locks, a bicycle tire pump and monthly maintenance service for the bikes. Learn more about the Tyson Scholars of American Art program. # # # About Phat Tire Bike Shop Phat Tire Bike Shop is a retail bicycle shop that sells a wide variety of new bikes, apparel, and gear. Come in for a bike fit, to buy a bike or get an old one running like new. We are excited to offer bike rentals and can book bike trips in advance. Phat Tire serves the northwest Arkansas region with locations in both Bentonville and Fayetteville. http://phattirebikeshop.com/ # # #
