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Crystal Bridges Sparks up July with Culinary Programs and Summer Family Fun

Forest Concert >> Amasa Hines + Rozebridge

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is ready to welcome July with a bang! The museum is offering a full roster of programs for all ages, including Summer Family Fun, Distinguished Speaker Toni Tipton-Martin, ArtBuzz evenings, and the continuation of our Forest Concert Series, Summer Camps, and the temporary exhibition, The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe and Contemporary Art.

Crystal Bridges will be open on Independence Day, Wednesday, July 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. for a day of discovery with a free Drop-In Artmaking class.  The latest blog post will help families get the most out of the museum.

Visit The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe and Contemporary Art, featuring over 30 of O’Keeffe’s artworks alongside the work of 20 contemporary artists exploring similar themes. The Beyond is also accompanied by a full roster of July programs inspired by the exhibition.

Summer Family Fun is free, ongoing programming such as outdoor movies and artmaking activities, both during the day and at night all month long.

Distinguished Speaker, chef, author, and activist, Toni Tipton-Martin is the recipient of a 2016 James Beard Book Award and former Top Chef guest judge. Tipton-Martin will provide a glimpse into her life of cooking, writing, and activism on Friday, July 27 from 7 to 8 p.m. A book signing of The Jemima Code will follow the lecture. Don’t have it? Purchase it along with registration.

Enjoy a fun evening as part of Crystal Bridges’ ArtBuzz series which features artists fromThe Beyond, an art conversation pared with asignature cocktail and light appetizers.

It’s not too late to apply for July Summer Camps! This month’s camps include 3D mobile making, fashion design, the art of storytelling, and more.

The Forest Concert Series is in full swing in the north forest, and this month, popular bands such as Dom Flemons, The Liverpool Legends (Beatles tribute), Little Rock’s Amasa Hines, and Funk Factory will be taking the stage for evenings of great music and family fun.

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

Figure Drawing
Monday, July 2 & 16, 1 to 3 pm
Practice the basics with us during an afternoon of figure drawing at the museum. A variety of drawing materials will be provided, and model poses will include both shorter, warm-up poses and longer poses. $10 ($5/members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Meditation and Mindfulness
Monday, July 2, 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. Free, no registration required.

Yoga and Art
Monday, July 2, 6 to 7 pm
Exercise your body and mind at Crystal Bridges with yoga and art! Join Lynn Hancock of Yoga Story in an uplifting group class that explores different facets of vinyasa as well as various disciplines of yoga practice. Open to all levels. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mats and dress appropriately. $5 (Free/members), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

ArtBuzz » How It’s Made: Mark Lewis
Thursdays, July 5, 7 to 8:30 pm
Craving the latest in art? Join this program that mixes art, cocktails, and discussion for an evening that will leave you buzzing over the latest exhibition The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe and Contemporary Art. In this series, guests will get a sneak peek at the materials, inspiration, and history of selected artists from the temporary exhibition. Your ticket includes a signature drink, light appetizers, and great conversation each evening! $20 ($18 /members), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Summer Family Fun » Movie Night: Disney Nature, Wings of Life
Thursday, July 5, 8:30 to 10 pm
Watch stunning cinematography of hummingbird flight, follow the brilliant story of migrating monarchs, and learn about the fascinating habits of other pollinators such as bees and bats. Enjoy free artmaking as part of this event! Free, no registration required.


Adult Workshop » Mixed Media Collage with Mark Lewis
Saturday, July 7, 1 to 5 pm
In this workshop, artist Mark Lewis, featured in The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe & Contemporary Art, will lead this mixed media workshop, combining the techniques of cut, layer, and collage with a live figure model. All materials are provided. $55 ($44/members), register online or with Guest Services.

Forest Concert Series » Dom Flemons, Featuring the Annual Lightning Bug Hunt
Saturday, July 7, 7 to 10 pm
Join us for our annual Lightning Bug Hunt! Catch fireflies and enjoy the magic of nature with Grammy Award-winning musician Dom Flemons, co-founder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. He now tours as “The American Songster,” drawing upon the songster tradition with a wide range of styles of ragtime, spirituals, southern string, and jug band music. $10 (Free for members and youth ages 19 and under), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Summer Camp » Art of Storytelling with Nerdies (Ages 10 to 14)
Monday, July 9, through Friday, July 13, 9 am to 3 pm
Everyone loves a good story. Everyone has a story to tell. The challenge is bringing that story to life. Through a series of exercises on storytelling essentials and character development; illustration practice; video lessons from industry experts; visits with guest speakers; and webcasts with best-selling authors, this camp will give you all the tools you need to make your own book and publish it on Amazon.com. $335 ($265 for members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Video Game Development with Nerdies (Ages 10 to 14)
Monday, July 9, through Friday, July 13, 9 am to 3:00 pm
Have you ever wanted to know how your favorite video games are made? At this camp you will be introduced to industry standard game software and build a game that you and your friends can play! We will explore the Unreal & Unity game engines as we aim to develop a game on our own and together. Along with learning programming, level design, and game strategy you will learn to think critically about games. $335 ($265 for members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Bentonville Community Center Summer Camps » Art Party
Monday, July 9, through Friday, July 13
9 am to noon (Ages 6 to 8)
1 to 4 pm, (Ages 9 to 12)
It’s a pARTy in the studio every day! Have fun exploring different art materials and techniques.  Use Model Magic, ink, watercolor, textured paper, and paint to create sculptures, prints, collages, and paintings all inspired by artworks from Crystal Bridges!Camps are located at Bentonville Community Center and in affiliation with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. All supplies are included.  Please bring a nut-free snack and drink. $120 Bentonville Community Center members/ $150 non-members.

SOLD OUT Adult Workshop » Botanical Drawing with Louise Jones
Wednesday, July 11, 6 to 8:30 pm
In this workshop, The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe & Contemporary Art artist Louise Chen will guide guests through her technique of whimsical botanical painting, exploring broad strokes of colors, shapes, and native floral varieties. All materials are provided. $45 ($36/members), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Figure Drawing from the Nude Model
Wednesday, July 11 & 25, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Ready to practice the basics? Join us in the studio for an evening of drawing from a live model, featuring both shorter warm-up poses and longer poses. All materials are provided. Participants must be 18 or older. (Note: Figure Drawing sessions with a clothed model are offered on the first and third Mondays of each month, and are open to participants ages 14 and up.) $10 ($5/members). Register here: https://tickets.crystalbridges-themomentary.org/single/SelectSeating.aspx?p=15876.

Art & English
Thursday, July 12, 6:30 to 7:30 pm
Are you interested in practicing conversational English while learning about American art, history, and culture? Join us for Art & English! Adult English language learners are encouraged to practice their conversational English skills while discussing artworks in the galleries. Children of participants are invited to join the gallery discussion or make an art project with an art instructor in the studios during the program. Free. To register, emailLiteracyPrograms@CrystalBridges.org.

ArtBuzz » How It’s Made: Louise Jones
Thursdays, July 12, 7 to 8:30 pm
Craving the latest in art? Join this program that mixes art, cocktails, and discussion for an evening that will leave you buzzing! Artist Louise Jones will take you behind her process of creating large scale botanical murals with a live demonstration and discussion. Your ticket includes a signature drink, light appetizers, and great conversation each evening! $20 ($18 /members), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Artinfusion Excursion » Jana Benitez + The House of Songs Ozarks
Friday, July 13, 7:30 to 10 pm
Join us for an evening of art and music with Crystal Bridges’ artist-in-residence Jana Benitez and The House of Songs Ozarks musician, Ayleen O’Hanlon. The night starts at 7:30 pm with a tour of Jana Benitez’s work space at the newly built Tourmaline Urban Lofts in the heart of downtown Bentonville’s Market District. Hear about her process and see the artist at work! After this exclusive look, we’ll walk over to The House of Songs for a house set from musician in residence, Ayleen O’Hanlon, starting at 8:30 pm. Explore the house, have a beer, and enjoy some light food! Open exclusively to Artinfusion members and their guests. Limited capacity, separate registration required for tour and concert.

Forest Concert Series » Beatles Tribute with The Liverpool Legends
Saturday, July 14, 7 to 10 pm
All you need is love! Enjoy a flower power evening of tie-dying in the Forest alongside music of the internationally acclaimed Beatles tribute band, The Liverpool Legends, from Branson, Missouri. The group performs songs spanning the band’s entire career with songs hand-picked by Louise Harrison—sister of the late George Harrison. The Liverpool Legends have performed in sold out venues around the world and in Carnegie Hall. $10 for non-members 19 and older. Free for members.

Summer Camp » Mixed Media Mobiles (Ages 6-8 and 9-12)
Monday, July 16, through Friday, July 20, 9 am to noon
Spend the week exploring an array of different art making techniques including printing, painting, and 3D mobile making. Get inspired the works of Andy Warhol, Alexander Calder, and Georgia O’Keeffe when you explore the galleries. Use unconventional materials like wire, ribbon, paper clips, and beads in your creations. $150 ($120 for members), and register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Summer Camp » Fashion Camp (Ages 9-12)
Monday, July 16, through Friday, July 20, 1:30 to 4:30 pm
Are you fashion forward? This camp is for you! Get inspired by artworks in the temporary exhibition, The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe and Contemporary Art, and in our permanent collection. Make your own floral scarf and try your hand at weaving! This week of camp culminates in a fashion show you won’t want to miss! $150 ($120 for members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Summer Camp » Messy Masterpiece (Ages 6-8)
Monday, July 16, through Friday, July 20, 1:30 to 4:30 pm
Become a master artist!  Enjoy stories and gallery activities as you discover masterpieces at Crystal Bridges.  Have messy fun as you create your own masterpieces with paint, watercolor, collage, and more! $150 ($120 for members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Member Scoop » Iron Curator
Wednesday, July 18, 1 to 3 pm, and
Thursday, July 19, 6 to 8 pm
You’ve heard of Iron Chef, but have you heard of Iron Curator? Attend a unique walk through the collection in which one of our curators creates an impromptu tour based on a theme that the group decides on the spot. Rediscover exciting works in the collection and try to stump the curator with your theme. Free with registration. Register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

WOW » The Power of “And”
Wednesday, July 18, 6 to 7:30 pm
Join host Case Dighero of Edible Culture and Chief Engagement Officer Nikki Stewart to discuss the works, ideas, and collaborations that have greater value than the sum of their parts. The night will feature a special duet that promises to have WOW guests talking for months to come. Open to guests ages 21 and above. $50 ($40/members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Gallery Conversation » The Beyond Artist Matthew Ronay
Thursday, July 18, 1 to 2 pm
Join artist Matthew Ronay for a conversation on his artwork in the temporary exhibition The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe & Contemporary Art.  Space is limited; please arrive 5 to 10 minutes early. The Gallery Conversation is free, but a ticket to the exhibition is required: $10 (Free for members and youth ages 18 and under), register online or with Guest Services.

ArtBuzz » How It’s Made: Negar Ahkami
Thursdays, July 19, 7 to 8:30 pm
Craving the latest in art? Join this program that mixes art, cocktails, and discussion for an evening that will leave you buzzing! Join us this evening for a conversation with Negar Ahkami that will delve into the cultural and aesthetic influences in her work, ending the evening with a look at her work, The Source, included in The Beyond. Your ticket includes a signature drink, light appetizers, and great conversation each evening! $20 ($18 /members), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Happy Hour Meet & Greet » Artists Matthew Ronay and Negar Ahkami
Friday, July 20, 5:30 to 7 pm
Hang out in the Great Hall with The Beyond artists Negar Ahkami and Matthew Ronay prior to their joint discussion on culture, location, modernism, and ritual. We will take a tour through the temporary exhibition with special highlights on Ronay and Ahkami’s work before toasting with the artists at 6:30 pm in the Great Hall. After the toast, get refreshed at the cash bar and stick around for a fascinating conversation between these two artists starting at 7 pm. Free to members, register online or with guest services. Must register separately for Spotlight Talk at 7 pm.

Spotlight Talk » Panel Discussion with O’Keeffe Artists Matthew Ronay and Negar Ahkami
Friday, July 20, 7 to 8 pm
Melding vocabularies of modernist abstraction and ritualistic objects, Matthew Ronay’s sculptures and enigmatic installations express the primacy of the handmade object. Negar Ahkami’s art is deeply inspired by Iran’s rich ceramic traditions and its ornate architecture.Free, register online or with Guest Services.

Summer Family Fun » Family Movie Night: Up
Friday, July 20, 8:30 to 9:30 pm
Bring a blanket up to the Frank Lloyd Wright Lawn for a family movie night! Enjoy the Pixar classic Up, and make your own giant cardboard constructions. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be moved indoors to the Lower Lobby. Free, no registration required.

Forest Concert » Amasa Hines Band from Little Rock
Saturday, July 21, 7 to 10 pm
Enjoy the cool Afrobeats of the Amasa Hines Band from Little Rock. The five piece band brings a lively show with a fresh blend on American rock mixing blues and psych rock. In 2012, Amasa Hines was listed as one of “12 Arkansas Bands You Should Be Listening to Now” by Paste Magazine In 2014, they were listed as one of “10 Southern Rock Bands to Listen to Now” by Southern Living Magazine. $10 (Free/members and youth ages 19 and under).

Summer Camp » Mini Masters (Ages 4 and 5)
Monday, July 23, through Friday, July 27, 9 to noon
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 for members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Summer Camp » Teen Artists Workshop (Ages: 14-18)
Monday, July 23, through Friday, July 27, 9 to noon
Enhance your studio skills during this week long workshop just for high schools students, in-coming freshmen to recent graduates!  Learn new mixed media techniques that combine painting and drawing skills.  Plus, work with contemporary artists featured in the temporary exhibition, The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe and Contemporary Art. All materials are provided. $150 ($120 for members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Camp Connect at Crystal Bridges
Tuesday, July 24, through Friday, July 27, 1:30 to 4:30 pm
Camper and Family Orientation: Monday, July 23, 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 will feature 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. Free, for more information contact access@crystalbridges.org or projconn@uark.edu.

Adult Workshop » Soft Sculptures with Britny Wainwright
Wednesday, July 25, 6 to 8:30 pm
Take part in this summer’s Adult Workshop series, perfect for the artist who wants to explore! Inspired by the special exhibition, The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe & Contemporary Art, artist Britny Wainwright will guide guests in creating stamps and patterns to use in a 2 Dimensional work of art. All materials are provided. $45 ($36/members), register online or with Guest Services.

Summer Family Fun » Farmer & the Markets
Wednesday, July 25, 7 to 8:30 pm
Bring the whole family to paint en plein air and enjoy some delightful music from Farmer & the Markets on Walker Landing! In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved indoors to the Great Hall. Free, no registration required.

DISH » Toni Tipton-Martin
Thursday, July 26, 6 to 7:30 pm
Enjoy an in-depth conversation on the life and times of famed author and community activist Toni Tipton-Martin. We’ll take a stylized, insightful glimpse into Tipton-Martin’s work as a James Beard Award winner, Top Chef guest judge, and author of the Jemima Code: Two Centuries of African American Cookbooks. $50 ($40 for members), register online or by calling Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Sci-Fi Outdoor Movie Series » Forbidden Planet
Thursday, July 26, 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Embark on a sci-fi film journey in the NEW outdoor movie series alongside the backdrop of the Fly’s Eye Dome. All are welcome to set the mood in sci-fi attire! Tonight’s screening features the 1956 classic, Forbidden Planet, which marked the birth of sci-fi special effects that would influence the Star Wars Trilogy. A cash bar will be available.

Craft Squared » Patterns with Britny Wainwright
Friday, July 27, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Play with funky prints and pops of color in this social class pairing craft beer with an art project! Led by The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe & Contemporary Art artist Brittany Wainwright, guests will create their very own stamps and patterns, combining them one seriously cool canvas artwork. All materials plus two glasses of beer and light appetizers provided. $55 ($44/members). Register online or with Guest Services.

Distinguished Speaker Series » Chef Toni Tipton-Martin
Friday, July 27, 7 to 8 pm
Toni Tipton-Martin is a culinary journalist, author, and community activist who has dedicated her career to building a healthier community. She is the author of The Jemima Code: Two Centuries of African American Cookbooks, celebrating the important legacy of African American cooks and their cookbooks. A renowned author, she is the winner of a 2016 James Beard Book Award, among other awards. Tipton-Martin was invited twice by First Lady Michelle Obama to the White House and was the first African American Food Editor of a major daily newspaper, The Cleveland Plain Dealer. A signing of The Jemima Codewill follow the lecture. $15 ($12/members, $5/students), register online or with Guest Services.

Gallery Conversation » Great Hall Architecture Talk with Cristobal Correa
Saturday, July 28, 1 pm
Join Cristobal Correa, associate principal of Buro Happold Engineering, for a conversation on the design and build of Crystal Bridges in our impressive Great Hall space! As the lead structural engineer who was responsible for the construction, Cristobal will be discussing the design process of this unique building which fuses the technology of suspension bridges to that of an art museum.

Forest Concert Series » Soul Night with Funk Factory
Saturday, July 28, 7 to 10 pm
It’s Soul Night in the forest at Crystal Bridges! Funk Factory’s talented musicians offer Motown soul, rock & roll, smooth Sinatra jazz, and a good ole’ boot scoot. The Crusades open the night with jazzy warm up. $10 (Free for members and youth ages 16 and under), register online or with Guest Services at 479.657.2335.

Bentonville Community Center Summer Camps » Art Tales
Monday, July 30, through Friday, August 3
9 am to noon (Ages 6 to 8)
1 to 4 pm, (Ages 9 to 12)
Examine the elements of a story, setting, character, and plot through artworks featured in Crystal Bridges’ permanent collection. Use collage, mixed media, and paint to create your own art tale! Camps are located at Bentonville Community Center and in affiliation with Crystal Bridges. All supplies are included. Please bring a nut-free snack and drink. Each camper will receive a Camp Bentonville t-shirt. $120 Bentonville Community Center members/ $150 non-members.

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