Crystal Bridges Celebrates 6 Month Anniversary
By: Garret Krier
Updated: May 12, 2012
Friday was a big day for the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville which is celebrating 6 months of being open and attracting hundreds of thousands of people in that short amount of time. KNWA found out more on the museum's past, present and future.
From the early stages of construction, leading up to the opening on November 11th, 2011, to the finished product we see today. "There is a lot of buzz about this museum," said visitor Mary Vano.
Crystal Bridges offers a little something for everyone. 300,000 people have already visited since the doors opened. Museum staff originally predicted it would take a year to get that many people inside. "We are very happy to see the results of a successful museum," said Executive Director Don Bacigalupi.
From an interactive center where kids play and learn, to more modern art. "I think my favorite was America the reader," said Vano. Vano loves to see American history change as you wander from room to room.
"I like to see the transition from early American paintings, which are very beautiful, to the room we are standing in now which has 20th century art which is more abstract," said Vano. "It is a mix of folks that are local and folks coming from far away," said Vano.
Executive Director Don Bacigalupi says 75-percent of visitors come from Northwest Arkansas. The rest he says come from all over the world. "And every day that you get to spend with a work of art it really reveals itself over time and I love that," said Bacigalupi.
"I think it is remarkable and a real gift to Northwest Arkansas," said Vano.
As for the future, Bacigalupi says Crystal Bridges hopes to continue its partnerships with other museums to bring in more temporary exhibitions from all over the world.
From the early stages of construction, leading up to the opening on November 11th, 2011, to the finished product we see today. "There is a lot of buzz about this museum," said visitor Mary Vano.
Crystal Bridges offers a little something for everyone. 300,000 people have already visited since the doors opened. Museum staff originally predicted it would take a year to get that many people inside. "We are very happy to see the results of a successful museum," said Executive Director Don Bacigalupi.
From an interactive center where kids play and learn, to more modern art. "I think my favorite was America the reader," said Vano. Vano loves to see American history change as you wander from room to room.
"I like to see the transition from early American paintings, which are very beautiful, to the room we are standing in now which has 20th century art which is more abstract," said Vano. "It is a mix of folks that are local and folks coming from far away," said Vano.
Executive Director Don Bacigalupi says 75-percent of visitors come from Northwest Arkansas. The rest he says come from all over the world. "And every day that you get to spend with a work of art it really reveals itself over time and I love that," said Bacigalupi.
"I think it is remarkable and a real gift to Northwest Arkansas," said Vano.
As for the future, Bacigalupi says Crystal Bridges hopes to continue its partnerships with other museums to bring in more temporary exhibitions from all over the world.
