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Crystal Bridges Continues Summer Exhibitions, Concerts and More this July

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art continues to be the place to experience summer. Offering summer camps, forest concerts, and two temporary exhibitions, Crystal Bridges brings the heat this summer.

The museum’s temporary exhibitions, Nature’s Nation and Color Field, are currently on view. Discover how Nature’s Nation traces 300 years of evolving ideas about the natural world and our place within it and then experience lush and enlarged forms with Color Field in the North Forest. Summer exhibition tickets that include both Color Field and Nature’s Nation are $16. Members, veterans, and youth 18 and under get in free. For a ticket and more information, visit the Summer at Crystal Bridges page.

Celebrate the fourth of July at Crystal Bridges. The museum will be open on Thursday, July 4 from 10 am to 9 pm. Visitors can explore the trails, grounds and galleries, including the new indoor and outdoor exhibitions. In the evening, visitors can experience the firework show at Orchards Park.

The 2019 Forest Concert Series has four more Saturday performances. Audiopharmacy, a Bay Area live music ensemble who inspire social change with their craft, are the first band of July. Following Audiopharmacy is 2017 Latin Grammy winner and New York City’s first all-women mariachi band, Flor De Toloache, on July 13. To check out the rest of the lineup, click here.

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 July programs is below. Information and registration are available on Crystal Bridges’ calendar of events.

Yoga and Art
Monday, July 1, 6 to 7 pm
Exercise your body and mind at Crystal Bridges with yoga and art! Join instructors from Yoga Story in an uplifting group class for all levels. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mats and dress appropriately. $5 (Free for members), register online or with Guest Services.

NEW Skyspace Nights » Star Party
Wednesday, July 3, 8 to 9:30 pm

Spend a summer evening outdoors gazing at the stars and enjoying the night sky! Each Star Party will begin at sunset with a special talk inside James Turrell’s Skyspace: The Way of Color, followed by a chance to look through telescopes, chat with astronomers, and engage with activities inspired by the night sky. Free, no registration required.

Forest Concert Series » Audiopharmacy
Saturday, July 6, 7 to 9:30 pm

Get active in the North Forest with Audiopharmacy, the international movement and Bay Area-based live music ensemble who use globally infused Indigenous hip-hop to inspire social change!  Opening for Audiopharmacy is Ozark folk duo, Still on the Hill, singing on global climate change and their Beaver Lake Watershed album. $12 ($10/members), free for youth ages 18/under. Register online or by calling Guest Services.

Drop-In Artmaking » Artist Michael Albert
Sunday, July 7, 12 to 5 pm
Join us for Drop-In Artmaking in the newly redesigned artmaking space, the Studio! We’ll be joined by guest artist, Michael Albert, as he shows us how to make cerealist art: a fun, upcycling art project with cereal boxes. Free, no registration required.

CR(EAT)E » Steele Winery
Sunday, July 7, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Edible Culture’s Case Dighero hosts an entertaining, informative multi-coursed dinner with Jason Willems of Diamond Beverage Group and Drew Procaccini of California’s Steele Winery. Join us for a special night of wine, food, and stories with friends in the museum’s Great Hall, surrounded by the sublime beauty of the High South. $105 ($84/members), register online or with Guest Services.

Meditation and Mindfulness
Monday, July 8, 1 to 2 pm
Take a break from your busy life and visit Crystal Bridges for rejuvenation in these guided meditation and mindfulness programs, surrounded by the beauty of art and nature. Sessions will be held indoors in front of artworks from the permanent collection galleries, or outdoors along our beautiful trails and grounds.

Summer Camp Nerdies » Video Game Development (Ages 11-14)
July 8-12, 9 am to 3 pm
Have you ever wanted to be a part of a video game or have already thought of the next great app? In this session, you will learn how to start making your ideas a reality with programming through industry-standard video game development software, digital painting, and digital design. Become a Video Game Developer and create a 2D game that can be shown to friends and family alike.

$335 ($265/members), register online or by calling Guest Services.

Summer Camp » Art Detectives (Ages 6-8)
July 8-12, 9 am to 12 pm
Calling all art sleuths! Put on your detective hat and get your spy glasses ready as you solve an art mystery every day in the gallery. Back in the studio, paint, sculpt, and collage to create works of art inspired by the mysteries you solved. $150 ($120/members), register online or by calling Guest Services.

Summer Camp » Wild About Art (Ages 6-8)
July 8-12, 1:30 to 4:30 pm
You’ll have a roaring good time as you search for animals featured in our permanent collection and create animal sculptures, paintings, and collages back in the studio. It’s time toget in touch with your wild side as you transform yourself into your spirit animal! $150 ($120/members), register online or by calling Guest Services.

BCC Summer Camp » Week 2: Messy Masterpieces (Ages 6-10)
July 8-12, 9 am to 12 pm or 1 to 4 pm
Join Crystal Bridges art instructors at the Bentonville Community Center to learn about artwork at the museum, and to enjoy hands-on fun and beautiful mess-making. Watch liquid watercolor run, paint with your hands, craft clay structures, mix gooey slime, and more. $150 ($120/members), register through the Bentonville Community Center here.

Member Scoop » Journey of an Artwork
Wednesday, July 10, 6 to 8 pm
Join us for the unique opportunity to learn the behind-the-scenes journey of an artwork from Crystal Bridges’ preparatory and collections management teams. You’ll enjoy an informative tour of the artwork journey from arrival to the gallery walls. Free, register online or by calling the Member Priority Line.

Artinfusion Insight » Sustainable NWA
Thursday, July 11, 6 to 8 pm

Join us in the Great Hall for a Pecha Kucha (a presentation style in which 20 slides are shown for 20 seconds each) on sustainable practices and initiatives in Northwest Arkansas. Hear what local organizations and individuals are doing to reduce waste and increase awareness about the health of our environment. Learn how you can make an impact on the environment and the sustainability efforts in your own community. Free, register online or with Guest Services.

Art & English
Thursday, July 11, 6:30 to 7:30 pm
Are you learning English and want to practice your conversational skills with others? Join us for Art & English where English language learners are encouraged to practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing English while discussing artworks in the galleries. Free, registration encouraged, but not required. Email Emily.Rodriguez@CrystalBridges.org to register.

Preschool Playdate » Games
Thursday, July 11, 11:30 am to 2 pm
Tag, you’re it! Play all your favorite games this month at the museum with your preschooler, and make some frame-worthy art while you’re at it! Playdate begins with a performance in the Great Hall. Free, no registration required.

Summer Outdoor Film Series » Wall-E
Friday, July 12, 8:30 to 10 pm
Spend time sky-gazing at sundown in James Turrell’s Skyspace before settling in on a blanket or lawn chair to watch this animated classic. Laugh along with Wall-E and his new friends as they craft a plan to save a precious gift: Earth. Free, register online or with Guest Services.

Gallery Conversation » En Masse Arts
Saturday, July 13, 1 to 2 pm
Meet artist, Erika Wilhite, of En Masse Arts for a fun, interactive conversation that engages all your senses using art, nature, and color on the South Lawn. Free, no registration required.

Forest Concert Series » Flor De Toloache
Saturday, July 13, 7 to 9:30 pm
2017 Latin Grammy winner and New York City’s first all-women mariachi band, Flor De Toloache, has been making musical love elixirs since 2008. Like the legendary Toloache flower used in Mexico today as a love potion, the ladies of Flor de Toloache lure in their audiences with soaring vocals and physical elegance. Papa Rap and Arkansalsa will open the concert. $12 ($10/members), free for youth ages 18/under. Register online or by calling Guest Services.

Saturday Session: Creating an Environmentally-Friendly Art Practice
Saturday, July 13, 9 am to 1 pm
This teacher workshop will focus on concepts for artists who are seeking to reduce the environmental impact of their artistic practice. Workshop begins with a tour of the special exhibition, Nature’s Nation, followed by a discussion of how artists can be more responsible with artmaking. $10 ($8/members), register online or by calling Guest Services.

Adult Workshop » Encaustic, Botanicals, and Inks with Stephanie Green
Sunday, July 14, 1 to 5 pm
Learn the techniques of painting with beeswax (encaustic) with artist Stephanie Green, combining beeswax, ink, and native plants from the Crystal Bridges grounds. Workshop will include guided techniques of applying melted wax, layering in inked impressions of various botanicals to create a stunning visual composition. All materials are provided. $55 ($44/members), register online or with Guest Services.

SOLD OUT Summer Camp » Mini Masters (Ages 4-5)
July 15-19, 9 am to 12 pm
Introduce your little artist to the museum! Discover the permanent collection through story time and gallery activities. Back in the Studio, we’ll explore the artmaking process with painting, collage, and sculpture for some messy fun. $150 ($120/members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Summer Camp » Teen Artists Workshop (Ages 14-18)
July 15-19, 9 am to 12 pm
Enhance your studio skills during this week long workshop just for high schools students, incoming freshmen to recent graduates! Learn new mixed media techniques and make your own paper and ink. All materials are provided. $150 ($120/members), register online or by calling Guest Services.

Summer Camp » Ready, Set, Paint (Ages 6-7, 8-10)
July 15-19, 1:30 to 4:30 pm
Get your brushes ready! Hone your artistic eye as you explore paintings in the permanent collection. Use acrylic and watercolor, learn techniques to create portraits, landscapes, and abstract art. $150 ($120/members), register online or by calling Guest Services.

Book Club » Songs of Trees by David George Haskell
Wednesday, July 17, 1:30 to 3:30 pm
Join our Book Club and read books that will pull you into current exhibitions by informing, entertaining, and making the art come alive. For this session, we will be reading Songs of Trees by David George Haskell. Free, no registration required.

High South Moments » You Say Tomato
Wednesday, July 17, 6 to 7:30 pm
Join us for an evening celebrating this beloved Arkansas fruit – start to finish, every bite and sip will highlight the myriad virtues of all the most revered varieties of the Arkansas Tomato that include Brandywine, Arkansas Traveler, and Better Boy. Enjoy appetizers and drinks as you experience the culture and cuisine of the region, creating your own High South Moment. $38 ($30/members), register online or with Guest Services.

Gallery Conversation » Corn and Cantaloupe and Still Life with Steak
Thursday, July 18, 1 to 2 pm
Join assistant curator, Larissa Randall, in her response to the pieces Corn and Cantaloupe and Still Life with Steak in Nature’s Nation temporary exhibition. Converse, explore the transcendent meaning that can be found through what is seemingly ordinary, and learn about the ideas that drive the exhibition. The talk is free, but a ticket to Nature’s Nation is required.

Summer Outdoor Film Series » Free Willy
Thursday, July 18, 8:30 to 10 pm
Bring the family to enjoy this ‘90s throwback about a whale reuniting with his family. In case of inclement weather, this event will take place in the Great Hall. Free, register online or with Guest Services.

Discover the Grounds » National Moth Week
Friday, July 19, 7 to 9 pm
All ages are welcome to celebrate National Moth Week at the museum with entomologist, Don Steinkraus, and his flying friends! The program will begin in our classroom where Don will present an exciting discussion on various species of moths, their role in art, history, and your own backyard. Free, register online.

Forest Concert Series » Big Chief Juan Pardo and the Golden Comanche Mardi Gras Indians
Saturday, July 20, 7 to 9:30 pm
Big Chief Juan Pardo, a Mardi Gras Indian from New Orleans, will bring a soulful Mardi Gras show to the Coca-Cola Stage, combining chant, ritual, and New Orleans funk! $12 ($10/members), free for youth ages 18/under. Register online or by calling Guest Services.

Sunset Tai Chi  
Monday, July 22, 7:30 to 8:30 pm
Plan to wind down from your busy day and join us this evening on the South Lawn for tai chi and qigong as the sun sets, surrounded by the beauty of art and nature! Led by Erik Hardin, L.Ac and certified instructor, each session will begin one hour before the sun sets. All experience levels welcome. $5 (free for members), register online or with Guest Services.

Camp Connect at Crystal Bridges (Ages 9-12)
Tuesday, July 23, through Friday, July 26, 1:30 to 4:30 pm
Camper and Family Orientation: Monday, July 22, 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Camp Connect at Crystal Bridges is a summer day camp program for children with autism and peer mentors ages 9-12. The camp features fun activities for children to connect with artwork in the museum’s collection while making connections with other children. Presented in collaboration with Project Connect at the University of Arkansas. For more information contact access@crystalbridges.org or projconn@uark.edu.

Member Scoop » Journey of an Artwork
Thursday, July 25, 1 to 3 pm
Join us for the unique opportunity to learn the behind-the-scenes journey of an artwork from Crystal Bridges’ preparatory and collections management teams. You’ll enjoy an informative tour of the artwork journey from arrival to the gallery walls. Free, register online or by calling the Member Priority Line.

Summer Outdoor Film Series » Nightingales in Berlin: Searching for the Perfect Sound
Thursday, July 25, 8:30 to 10 pm
Have you ever listened closely to a nightingale’s song? Musician, David Rothenberg, opens up the outdoor film screening with a short and intimate sound performance interacting with the nature sounds surrounding the Museum.  Following the performance we’ll screen Rothenberg’s newly released documentary film, Nightingales in Berlin on the North Lawn. Free, register online or with Guest Services.

Art by the Glass » Floral Workshop with Bloom Floral
Friday, July 26, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Create a small, colorful floral arrangement in the studios led by designers from Bloom Floral. This lighthearted studio class will combine the basics of floral design and the seven elements of art, and each participant will leave with their own arrangement. All materials, plus a glass of wine or beer and light appetizers are provided. $30 ($24/members) ages 21 and up, register online or with Guest Services.

Concert » Sounds of the Pond: An Interactive Nature Concert by David Rothenberg
Friday, July 26, 8 to 9:30 pm
Enjoy the musical sounds of the Crystal Bridges pond during the dusk time accompanied by musician, David Rothenberg, who floats through the museum’s pond in a boat to perform with the natural ecosystem of bugs, frogs, fish, and birds. Free with registration, register online or with Guest Services.

CB Babies
Saturday, July 27, 10 to 11:30 am
Oh, baby! Join us for this special program for the museum’s youngest visitors: infants ages 3 to 24 months with a caregiver. Spend time in the galleries looking at and talking to your baby about art before enjoying sensory playtime. $10 per baby, free tickets for 1-2 adults per baby ($8/members), register online or with Guest Services.

Gallery Conversation » Benton and the Buffalo River
Saturday, July 27, 1 to 2 pm
Join Catherine Wallack, architectural records archivist at the University of Arkansas, in the Modern Art Gallery for a conversation around artist, Thomas Hart Benton, as she shares letters that give a peek into his work as an environmentalist and his relationship to the Buffalo River. Free, no registration required.

Forest Concert Series » Charlie Hunter Trio
Saturday, July 27, 7 to 9:30 pm
Don’t miss the last concert of the summer of our Forest Concert Series! Guitarist, Charlie Hunter, consistently ups his game as an innovative writer and bandleader. The Charlie Hunter Trio is sure to deliver an exhilarating blast of blues, jazz, soul, and funk. During the intermission, we will also host our annual lightning bug hunt with entomologist, Don Steinkraus. $12 ($10/members), free for youth ages 18/under. Register online or by calling Guest Services.

BCC Summer Camp » Week 3: Full STEAM Ahead (Ages 6-10)
July 29 – August 2, 9 am to 12 pm or 1 to 4 pm
The worlds of math, science, and art come together into one week of creativity and exploration. Discover alongside Crystal Bridges art instructors what happens when artists use the power of science and math principles. Join us for ice-painting, optical color-mixing, marshmallow-bridge engineering, solar-printing, and more! $150 ($120/members), register through the Bentonville Community Center Activities.

For a complete list of current exhibitions visit the, Museum Exhibitions page. For news updates, follow Crystal Bridges on the Blog, Facebook, or Twitter.