Spring 2023 At the Museum Exhibitions and Experiences On the Trails Membership Spring is perhaps the most underrated season at Crystal Bridges. Summer has its long, sultry days and easy travel. Fall is cozy, crisp, and magical. Winter brings with it the contrasts of the long, cold nights and the heartwarming glow of holiday lights. But the quiet, colorful season of spring deserves a little recognition—it’s one of the best times to make a trip to the museum. Whether you’re looking to discover new ideas and perspectives in the galleries, take a walk through the woods, celebrate the season with a family event, or just to sit for a while and claim a moment of peace for yourself, there’s plenty to do and enjoy at Crystal Bridges. To help you make the most of your trip—and the season—we’ve assembled some highlights and recommendations below. Keep reading to check out your spring guide to Crystal Bridges, or use the navigation links to jump to your favorite section. (Pro Tip: Like most things on the grounds, this guide grows and changes throughout the season. Keep checking back for the latest updates and recommendations, or sign up for eNews to get the latest updates sent straight to your inbox.) Exhibitions and Experiences Diego Rivera, The Flower Carrier, 1935 oil and tempera on masonite; 48 × 47 3/4 in. (121.92 × 121.29 cm) San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Albert M. Bender Collection, gift of Albert M. Bender in memory of Caroline Walter © Banco de Mexico Diego Rivera & Frida Kahlo Museums Trust, Mexico, D.F. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York photograph: Katherine Du Tiel On View Now: Diego Rivera’s America March 11 – July 31, 2023 $12 (Free for members, SNAP participants, Veterans, and Youth 18 and Under.) Between the 1920s and ‘40s, Diego Rivera worked in both Mexico and the United States, finding inspiration in the social and cultural life of the two countries. He imagined an America—broadly understood—that shared an Indigenous past and an industrial future, and where cooperation, rather than divisions, were paramount. Featuring rarely seen works from private collections, major paintings on loan from museums in the United States and Mexico, studies for mural projects in Mexico City, San Francisco, Detroit, and New York, and large-scale digital projections of Rivera’s epic murals, this collection of over 130 works is the first and most comprehensive exhibition focused solely on Rivera’s work in over two decades. Learn more and get tickets. Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Listening Forest, "Summon", 2022, Bentonville Arkansas / United States, Photo by Stephen Ironside. In the Evenings: Listening Forest by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer March 1 – May 28, 2023 | August 30 – December 31, 2023 Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays Ticket prices vary by day and membership. Returning for a spring season after its successful debut last fall, the interactive experience in the North Forest isn’t just for the holidays anymore. Created by artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, the North Forest experience uses light, sound, and projections to create an interactive walk through the woods. This site-specific exhibition features eight immersive installations, each one activated by you: your heart rate, your body, your voice, and your movements direct the forest’s response. This project brings together art and technology in a natural setting to create poetic, shared experiences and features a soundtrack composed by electronic musician Scanner (Robin Rimbaud). The long spring evenings make it a breeze to book a time to visit, spend the afternoon in the galleries, then head into the forest to explore and control 20-foot stick figures made of light. Learn more about the exhibition, or check out our guide to what you can expect this season at Listening Forest. On the Trails Crystal Bridges’ trails and grounds offer a completely unique experience in the spring season. With over five miles of walking and biking trails across the campus, plus over 30 outdoor sculptures, there’s so much to see and explore while you’re here. The spring season starts off cool and rainy, and warms up considerably by May—so make sure to check the weather! With spring temperatures ranging from the low 40s to the upper 70s, it never hurts to dress in layers before hitting the trails. Photo by Ironside Photography / Stephen Ironside. The colorful flora and fauna make it all worthwhile, though. The redbuds and dogwoods bloom this time of year, and the blooms last about 18-24 days. Wildflowers will begin to bloom afterward, around the beginning of May. *Please note that these are approximated timeframes and subject to change based on weather and other anomalies. Membership Makes Everything Better Looking for more ways to make the most of your visits to Crystal Bridges? Become a museum member this season! Members enjoy a wide range of benefits, including free admission to temporary exhibitions, discounts on tickets and Museum Store purchases, and invitations to members-only events. Plus, your support helps fund the free or low-cost events, classes, and community outreach that allow Crystal Bridges to make the power of art accessible to all. Start your membership journey today. Ready to start planning your trip to Crystal Bridges? Check out our Plan a Visit page to answer all your questions about visiting the museum, including hours, parking info, accommodations, and more!
