A different perspective : Crystal Bridges at the Massey is dishing up a long list of successful programs for children, adults and families.
Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/bcdr/News/64918/
BENTONVILLE — Volunteers at Crystal Bridges at the Massey, the temporary exhibition space of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, have been spending a few minutes at the beginning of each day straightening the framed, original artwork of nationally recognized illustrator Wendell Minor.
The paintings — many of which have appeared on the covers of such popular pieces of literature as “ The Call of the Wild” and “ The Red Badge of Courage, ” as well as countless children’s books — were hung straight prior to the opening earlier this month. But vibrations from the road construction that has consumed nearby West Central Avenue has been shaking things up. With barriers running in every direction from the intersection of West Central Avenue and A Street, just getting to the front door of Crystal Bridges at the Massey is a bit more of an adventure than it has been in months past.
That hasn’t kept the masses from finding their way into the gallery at 125 W. Central Ave., according to Crystal Bridges Education Director Lynn Berkowitz. The slew of opening events for “ Wendell Minor: In the American Tradition, ” held Aug. 8-9, drew large crowds, as momentum continues to build in anticipation of the permanent museum’s anticipated opening in 2010.
“ Attendance keeps shooting up, ” Berkowitz said. “ The road construction hasn’t really been a factor. I was curious how the preschool story-time activity we had (on Saturday ) would draw, since parents would have to negotiate around the construction with their children, but we had about 50 people. ”
Events surrounding the Wendell Minor exhibit will continue at 1 p. m. Thursday, when Crystal Bridges at the Massey kicks off its ArtBuzz series. On Thursday, attendees will spend an hour with exhibitions assistant Ben Edwards and Shawna Thorup, director of the Fayetteville Public Library. The pair will explore both the curatorial and the children’s-literature perspective in considering the 64 paintings and 22 children’s books on display. ArtBuzz will continue with gallery dialogue led by members of the Springdale and Fayetteville libraries in September and October.
“ This was an opportunity to partner with valuable organizations right around us, ” Berkowitz said. “ There’s a natural connection between art and words and images. There’s so many ways of approaching a work of art. This is interactive. It’s a chance to see something from multiple perspectives. And the audience gets to respond and contribute to that dialogue. ”
And for those who have been hooked by the Wendell Minor exhibit, Crystal Bridges at the Massey will provide a sneak peek into the lives and motivation of three more accomplished American illustrators. Lunchtime Movies, scheduled for noon to 1 p. m. Friday at the gallery, will introduce three short films focusing on the art of children’s-book illustrators Lynne Cherry, Barbara Cooney and Chris Soentpiet. Again, the free event is open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to bring a brown-bag lunch. Coffee and biscotti will be provided.
“ This is a unique opportunity to learn about the publishing world, how these illustrators work, what motivates them, ” Berkowitz said. “ It’s a snapshot into the process of this particular field. ”
Several programs for children, families, adults and anyone curious about Crystal Bridges and the arts are scheduled through the closing of the Wendell Minor exhibit on Oct. 19.
“ What’s really exciting to see is so many new partnerships forming, ” Berkowitz said. “ We’ve partnered to do an event with the Writer’s Colony, with libraries across the region — we’ve even been involved in programming with local Boys and Girls Clubs. People are responding. ”
One event that’s been drawing considerable attention, even through it’s still more than a month away, is the first in Crystal Bridges distinctive lecture series, “ Speaking of … Art. ” The series, intended to bring renowned thinkers and explorers in the world of art, design and nature to the region — begins with a visit from Arthur Danto at 2 p. m. Sept. 28. at the Old High Middle School auditorium in downtown Bentonville.
Danto, Johnsonian Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Columbia University and art critic for The Nation, will focus his lecture on aesthetics and meaning. According to a biography posted at the Crystal Bridges Web site, Danto has been with Columbia University since 1951 and is the recipient of numerous fellowships and grants, including two Guggenheims and a Fulbright. He has authored several books, among them “ The Abuse of Beauty: Aesthetics and the Concept of Art, ” “ Art in the Historical Present” and “ Embodied Meanings: Critical Essays and Aesthetic Meditations. ”