art in the ozarks

Alice Walton, daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton, collected contemporary art by artists in the United States for many years.

At some point she decided that the people of rural northwest Arkansas- most especially the children- deserved an art museum. Not just any art museum, rather one that rivaled well-known and prestigious museums on either coast of America. Plus, it should be free.

Thus Crystal Bridges Museum.

My first visit was in 2014, soon after it opened.

This is my fourth visit to Bentonville. Arkansas, location of Crystal Bridges Museum, also Walmart headquarters. I’m here to see an exhibit of photographs by Annie Leibovitz. Annie Leibovitz at Work.

Bentonville is a charming town, with much construction going on as the success of the museum has been significant. Still, it is a small town.

21C Museum Hotel. A museum within the hotel. And filled with green penguins.

Onyx Coffee an easy walk away.

Lunch at the museum.

Late afternoon at Onyx.

Premier of A Case for Love at the local theater.

A lovely first day in Bentonville.