Jan 15, 2016 In the month of February, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art invites visitors to experience the museum’s first large-scale photography exhibition, celebrate Valentine’s Day with the Black Hearts Ball, and enjoy music by renowned pianist and sound artist Thollem McDonas. Exploring the musical genres of post-classical, free jazz, noise, punk, and film, McDonas will experiment with the natural acoustics of Crystal Bridges’ Great Hall in this February 5 Performance Lab. On February 11, Preschool Playdate: My Valentine offers art projects, story time, and creative play inspired by Valentine’s Day. On February 13, Artinfusion’s fourth annual Black Hearts Ball will feature the music of The Curtis Harding Band and Dallas-based DJ Jumbii, as well as performances by Fayetteville’s Paradise Explored Theater Co. Families are encouraged to bring loved ones to Crystal Bridges on February 14 to enjoy music and hands-on fun for the annual I ♥ Art Family Sunday. Eleven, the restaurant at Crystal Bridges, will feature romantic dinner specials Wednesday through Friday evening, as well as a unique Valentine’s Day Sunday brunch. The Open Road, on view February 27 through May 30, presents the story of the American road as inspiration, following 19 photographers on the move across America from the 1950s to today. Exhibition curator David Campany will moderate a conversation on the roots of modern travel photography in an opening panel discussion on February 26. Inspired by the exhibition, guests will develop their creative skills in an introductory course on digital photography beginning February 17 and are invited to discuss nineteenth-century travel in a Gallery Conversation on February 27. A full listing of February programs is below. Information and registration are also available on Crystal Bridges’ calendar of events. Monday, February 1 and 15, 1 to 3 pm Figure Drawing 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 drawing with other adults at the Museum. A variety of drawing materials will be provided, and model poses will include both short warm-up poses and longer poses. All materials are provided. $10 ($5 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. Monday, February 1, 6 to 7 pm Yoga and Art » Chakra Series: Heart Cultivate an open heart with this uplifting group experience led by Yoga Story’s Cindee Joslin. You’ll discover various spaces of the Museum as you become refreshed and renewed through motivational sessions embodying chakras, color, and movement. This month’s chakra is Heart. Participants should bring their own yoga mat and dress appropriately. $5 (Free for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. Wednesday, February 3, 6 to 8 pm Wednesday Series for Educators » Frame Up Explore the changing tastes, design, and history of selected American frames in the Crystal Bridges’ permanent collection with experts Tracy Gill and Simeon Lagodich of Gill & Lagodich Fine Period Frame Gallery, New York. Two hours of Professional Development credit available. Sponsored by Neff and Scarlett Basore $10 ($8 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. Thursday, February 4, 1 to 2 pm Gallery Conversation » Crystal Bridges Frames Join stimulating conversations facilitated by speakers from the Museum and community, including curators, artists, writers, professors, and more! In this conversation, we’ll explore the detail, artistry, and history of the frames around artwork of Crystal Bridges. We’ll host two opportunities to attend this Gallery Conversation. Join us at 1 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. Free, no registration required. Thursday, February 4, 6:30 to 7:30 pm Gallery Conversation » Crystal Bridges Frames Join stimulating conversations facilitated by speakers from the Museum and community, including curators, artists, writers, professors, and more! In this conversation, we’ll explore the detail, artistry, and history of the frames around artwork of Crystal Bridges. We’ll host two opportunities to attend this Gallery Conversation. Join us at 1 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. Free, no registration required.. Friday, February 5, 7 to 9 pm Performance Lab » Renowned Pianist and Sound Artist Thollem McDonas Experience the contemporary sounds of renowned pianist Thollem McDonas as he defies time and space through a rigorous and fast-paced piano repertoire, experimenting with the Great Hall’s natural acoustics. McDonas’s piano performances explore the genres of post-classical, free jazz, noise, punk, and film. He is the founding director of Estamos Ensemble, a Mexican-American cross-border ensemble for musical exchange as well as the lead singer of the Italian agit-punk band Tsigoti. Sponsored by Demara Titzer and the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation. Free, register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. Saturday, February 6, 9am to 1pm Saturday Session for Teachers » Gallery of the Louvre In this Saturday Session, we’ll explore the temporary exhibition Gallery of the Louvre and participate in a hands-on studio session inspired by what we’ve seen. Four hours of professional development credit available. Sponsored by Neff and Scarlett Basore. $10 ($8 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. Monday, February 8, 11 am to 12:30 pm Writer’s Group: Featured Poet Houston Hughes Led by local poet Houston Hughes, join this Writers Group to create a sonnet inspired by artwork in our permanent collection. $8 (Free for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. Wednesday, February 10, 17, and 24, 1 to 2:15 pm Preschool Art Class » Portraits Inspired by the portraits of our permanent collection, learn how artists see people! We’ll make portraits to share with family and friends. $30 for 3 sessions ($24 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. Thursday, February 11, 11:30 am to 2 pm Preschool Playdate » My Valentine! Share your love of art in this Preschool Playdate! Enjoy art projects, story time, and creative play inspired by Valentine’s Day and artwork in our permanent collection. Preschool Playdate begins with a live performance in the Great Hall. Sponsored by the Roy & Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A. Trustee and The Hershey Company. Free, no registration required. Thursday, February 11, 6:30 to 7:30 pm Great Reveal » Art Love Stories Hear stories of love lost and won by passionate art devotees from books and letters in the Library’s special collections. Highlighted items, including letters by artist Maurice Sterne and rare color-plate books, will be available for close viewing after the talk. Free, register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. Thursday, February 11, 18, and 25, 6:30 to 8 pm Studio Squad (Ages 11-13) » Art After Dark Experience the Museum at night! Create art that glows in the dark and experiment with light as an artistic medium. Sponsored by Nickelodeon. $45 for 3 sessions ($36 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. Friday, February 12, and Saturday, February 13, noon to 4 pm Calligraphy by Lisa Atherton Select any card from our collection of unique stationery and have it personalized with calligraphy by artist Lisa Atherton. Personalized calligraphy is complimentary with any stationery purchase from the Museum Store. Free, no registration required. Friday, February 12, noon to 6 pm and Saturday, February 13, 10 am to 6 pm Artisan Showcase » Daaman Porcelain Jewelry and Willow & Luke Block Join us for this Valentine’s Day-inspired Artisan Showcase as we celebrate artist couples who work as a pair. Jeff and Judy Goodwin of Daaman Porcelain Jewelry, and Willow and Luke Block all use an age-old ceramic tradition called neriage to create their work. Visit with the artists to learn more about this fascinating technique, as Jeff and Judy create wearable art pieces while Willow and Luke create plates, cups, and more. Browse the selection of work to find the perfect gift for your Valentine! Free, no registration required. Friday, February 12, 19, and 26, 2 to 3:30 pm Homeschool Friday Fun (Ages 5-8) » Sculpture Prepare to get a little messy as we use a variety of media and techniques to make sculptures inspired by artwork in our permanent collection. $45 for 3 sessions ($36 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services. Friday, February 12, 19, and 26, 2 to 3:30 pm Homeschool Friday Fun (Ages 9-12) » Sculpture Prepare to get a little messy as we use a variety of media and techniques to make sculptures inspired by artwork in our permanent collection. $45 for 3 sessions ($36 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. Saturday, February 13, 20, and 27, 10:30 am to noon Young Artists Class » Hands-On Sculpture In this class for aspiring young artists, we’ll explore sculpture in our permanent collection, and then use a variety of media and techniques to make sculptures of our own! $45 for 3 sessions ($36 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. Saturday, February 13, 1 to 2 pm Gallery Conversation » Compassion in our Community Join stimulating conversations on artworks in our permanent collection and special exhibitions facilitated by speakers from the Museum and community, including curators, artists, writers, professors, and more! In this conversation, join Pattie Williams, co-founder, and D’Andre Jones, Black History team leader of Compassion Fayetteville to discover art through stories of compassion, inclusion, and unity in this Gallery Conversation honoring Black History Month. Free, no registration required. Saturday, February 13, 9 pm to 12 am Artinfusion Black Hearts Ball Just like that bad ex you keep going back to, the Black Hearts Ball is back again! Artinfusion Members and guests are invited to the fourth annual Black Hearts Ball, where we’ll dance away our sorrows while enjoying sweet and savory creations prepared by Eleven’s chefs. This anti-Valentine’s Day fun is reserved for ages 21 and up (ID required for entry). Sponsored by Saatchi & Saatchi X, RopeSwing, Arvest Bank, Wright Lindsey Jennings, and Blue Moon Brewing Company. $35 (Free for artinfusion Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. Sunday, February 14, 10 to 11:30 am Member Breakfast » I ♥ Art We ♥ our Members! Bring your family for a Valentine’s Day continental breakfast in appreciation of all you do to support the Museum. We’ll provide breakfast treats while you enjoy creative entertainment with friends and family. After breakfast, join us for Museum-wide Family Sunday festivities! Free, register online or by calling the Member Priority Line at 479.418.5728. Sunday, February 14, noon to 5 pm Family Sunday » I ♥ Art Mark your calendars for our fourth annual I ♥ Art Family Sunday! Bring your loved ones to Crystal Bridges this Valentine’s Day to enjoy music and hands-on fun. You’ll LOVE what we have planned for this event! Sponsored by Northwest Arkansas Naturals, Rockline Industries, and the Roy & Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A. Trustee. Free, no registration required. Wednesday, February 17, 6 to 7 pm WOW » Gallery of the Louvre Join Crystal Bridges Culinary Director Case Dighero and special guests to discuss the temporary exhibition Gallery of the Louvre. Open to guests ages 21 and above. Sponsored by Premier Dermatology & Skin Renewal Center and Riedel Glassware. $30 ($24 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. Wednesday, February 17, 24, and March 2, 9, 16, and 23, 6 to 8:30 pm Studio Studies Series » Digital Photography Develop your technical and creative skills in this introductory course on digital photography led by photographer Kat Wilson. Each session will sharpen your creativity behind the lens through the fundamentals of image capture, camera operation, and night photography through photo shoots around Crystal Bridges Museum and off-site locations! Cameras will not be provided; please bring your own digital SLR camera and laptop with Lightroom installed. $200 for 6 classes ($160 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. Friday, February 19, 6:30 to 8:30 pm Art by the Glass » Bead Making Find inspiration from your favorite artwork to create jewelry of your own design! In this clay bead-making class, we’ll study color, form, and texture. You’ll leave with a unique piece of jewelry and a new admiration for the art of bead making! All materials plus two glasses of wine and hors d’oeuvres are provided. $45 ($36 for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. Wednesday, February 24, 5 to 9 pm Artinfusion @ Culture Hour + Art Insight » Studio Art with Sean Fitzgibbons and Moira Traw Get together with artinfusion Members and friends each month to meet and mingle during Culture Hour in Eleven! This month, you’ll meet Educator Moira Traw as she presents a short talk on studio programs at the Museum. Traw will also introduce local artists who are currently teaching in the Museum’s studio art program. Following the talk, Traw will guide a DIY art activity, where you’ll have the chance to enjoy delicious drinks while you mingle with local artists and artinfusion peers. Sponsored by Saatchi & Saatchi X, RopeSwing, Arvest Bank, Wright Lindsey Jennings, and Blue Moon Brewing Company. Free, no registration required. Friday, February 26, 9 am to 9 pm and Saturday, February 27, 9 to 10 am Member Preview » The Open Road Members are invited to a Members-only Preview of the temporary exhibition The Open Road, telling the story of America’s great photographers on the move across the nation from the 1950s to today. Free, register online or by calling the Member Priority Line at 479.418.5728. Friday, February 26, 6 to 6:30 pm Member Meet and Greet » Guests from The Open Road Members are invited to Meet and Greet with exhibition curators David Campany and Denise Wolff and photographers Stephen Shore and Justine Kurland prior to their panel discussion on the roots of modern travel photography. Free, register online or by calling the Member Priority Line at 479.418.5728. Friday, February 26, 6:30 to 8 pm Family Workshop » Family Bookmaking Make your own book and fill the pages with fun stories and illustrations! $10 per family (Free for Members), register online or by calling Guest Services Friday, February 26, 7 to 8:30 pm Exhibition Opening Panel Discussion » The Open Road Join David Campany, curator of The Open Road exhibition, as he moderates a panel discussion on the roots of modern travel photography. The discussion will include three key contributors to the exhibition: Aperture Editor Denise Wolff and two Open Road photographers, Stephen Shore and Justine Kurland. Free, register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335. Saturday, February 27, 1 to 2 pm Gallery Conversation » Nineteenth-Century Road Trips Join stimulating conversations facilitated by speakers from the Museum and community, including curators, artists, writers, professors, and more! In this Gallery Conversation, curator Mindy Besaw will discuss traveling before roads were paved, illustrated by artworks of the 19th Century. Free, No registration required.
