Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art was founded by Alice Walton in 2005 and later opened to the public in 2011. The Crystal Bridges Museum, designed by Moshe Safdie, exhibits harmony in architecture, art and nature as the stunning infrastructure stands amidst a ravine and 120 acres of Ozark woods and featured trails also known as the Crystal Bridges Trails. Guests can enjoy art even before entering the museum through the outdoor installations found on the surrounding grounds such as James Turrell’s The Way of Color Skyspace and Leo Villareal’s Buckyball. The museum is a collection of all-American art dating from the colonial era to the present. Guests can enjoy art in many different forms as the museum exhibits articles of all sizes from the typical drawings, photography images, paintings and sculptures to sizeable installations and architectural buildings. There is always something different to enjoy as articles from the permanent collection are regularly rotated and special exhibitions are featured periodically. All the works are either by Americans or by those who have strong connections to the US. Among these artists are the likes of Georgia O’Keeffe, John Baldessari, Norman Rockwell, and Andy Warhol. American Architecture is also highlighted by the museum with one of its unique exhibits being the Bachman-Wilson House, a house made by Architect Frank Lloyd Wright that was restored and relocated onto the Crystal Bridges Grounds. Aside from artworks being exhibited in the museum, art aficionados can read and learn about anything relating to American art and art history at the Crystal Bridges Library. The library located on the third floor of the museum is home to over 50000 volumes of materials.
The Crystal Bridges Museum is free of admission for the permanent collection as well as the Crystal Bridges Trails and Grounds. There are self-guided tours in audio, if you will download the Crystal Bridges app, or print. You may also join the scheduled guided tours. Food and drink are not allowed inside the exhibits. Photography and sketching are permitted provided that there be no flash photography be and no easels when sketching. The museum is open on Mondays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10AM to 6PM and on Wednesdays thru Fridays from 10AM to 9PM. It is closed on Tuesdays, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. It is located on 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, Arkansas.
Due to Covid-19, the museum is imposing timed-entry tickets with reduced capacity and additional guidelines. Check their website for more information. Crystal Bridges Trails and Grounds remain open, but visitors are required to maintain social distancing.
Take a look at Clinton House Museum as well!
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