Crystal Bridges Brings New Exhibition Exquisite Creatures to Local Libraries

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art has launched a partnership with seven libraries in Northwest Arkansas to extend community access to its latest exhibition Exquisite Creatures. Community members will have the unique opportunity to explore the natural world by crafting their own “exquisite creature” using art kits provided by the museum, viewing special artworks created by local artists, snapping selfies for a chance to be featured on the museum’s social channels, and more.

Through March 10, the museum will collect all creatures designed using the art kits at partner libraries. The creatures will be displayed at Crystal Bridges later this spring. Library visitors can continue to pick up art kits and create creatures after March 10, but will need to deliver them to Crystal Bridges to be included in the display.

Each art kit includes free tickets to the exhibition, which is on view at Crystal Bridges from March 16 through July 29, 2024. The show features more than 400 individual objects of preserved plant, animal, and mineral specimens – including crystals, lizards, beetles, parrots, butterflies, crabs, and much more – all arranged in stunning geometric patterns. To learn more about the exhibition and related events, click here.

WHAT: A community activation for Crystal Bridges’ latest exhibition Exquisite Creatures, complete with art kits, free exhibition tickets, works from local artists, and a selfie pop-up moment.

WHEN: NOW through Sunday, March 10

Through March 10, the museum will collect all creatures designed using the art kits at partner libraries. The creatures will be displayed at Crystal Bridges later this spring. Library visitors can continue to pick up art kits and create creatures after March 10, but will need to deliver them to Crystal Bridges to be included in the display. Local artworks will be displayed at the libraries through March 10. Selfie banners will remain on display at the libraries through the exhibition's closing.

WHERE:

· Bentonville Public Library | 405 S Main Street, Bentonville, AR, 72712

· Elkins Public Library | 352 N Center Street, Elkins, AR, 72727

· Farmington Public Library | 175 Cimmaron Way, Farmington, AR, 72730

· Fayetteville Public Library | 401 W Mountain Street, Fayetteville, AR, 72701

· Rogers Public Library | 711 S Dixieland Rd, Rogers, AR, 72758

· Siloam Springs Public Library | 205 E Jefferson Street, Siloam Springs, AR, 72761

· Springdale Public Library | 405 S Pleasant Street, Springdale, AR, 72764

Art kits can also be obtained at Crystal Bridges and the Momentary from now through the exhibition's closing

WHO: Crystal Bridges and the Momentary, seven local libraries, and local artists who will have works displayed at the libraries through March 10:

· Tram T Colwin (Siloam Springs Public Library)

· Natalia Franco (Springdale Public Library)

· Vicki Hardcastle (Bentonville Public Library)

· Dani Ives (Fayetteville Public Library)

· Megan Ives (Farmington Public Library)

· Melissa Johnston (Elkins Public Library)

· Marcus Vasquez (Rogers Public Library)

WHY: A unique opportunity for community members to take a deeper look into the natural world.

HOW: Visit any of the seven partner libraries to create your own exquisite creature.

Exquisite Creatures is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company, Serfco, Gelmart, and Marybeth and Micky Mayfield.