Crystal Bridges Opens New “Foundations of American Art” Gallery, Marking an Expansion Milestone

The first newly-transformed gallery highlights artists and stories from the 18th to early 20th centuries

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BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art reaches a major milestone in its expansion on Saturday, July 19, when the museum’s first newly-transformed gallery opens to the public. The Foundations of American Art Gallery is located in the former Contemporary space and features works many visitors may remember from the Early American collection, like Georgia O’Keeffe’s Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 and Richard Caton Woodville’s War News from Mexico, as well as several new works that will surprise, delight, and inspire guests. The installation highlights artists and stories from the 18th to early 20th centuries, connecting the past with the present.

Designed to spark curiosity and conversation, the updated space follows a loose timeline, moving from Modern art to early American works, including works by women, Craft, and Indigenous artists. The experience is enhanced through interactive elements like large-scale graphics, touchable objects, digital features, library books in English and Spanish, immersive soundscapes, impressive frames, and newly displayed rare books from the Crystal Bridges Library collection. Outside, a new garden courtyard inspired by the landscapes of Martin Johnson Heade invites reflection and discovery, featuring a vibrant mix of tropical and native plants alongside sculpture.

As part of the Crystal Bridges collection, Foundations of American Art is free to all during Crystal Bridges’ regular museum hours. No ticket is required.

Crystal Bridges aims to revolutionize the art museum experience. In 2026, Crystal Bridges will expand access to five centuries of American Art by adding another 114,000-square-feet of new space and showcasing a transformed way for visitors to interact with every part of the building – facilitating surprise and delight, joyful learning, and ever-broadening American stories. As part of Crystal Bridges’ expansion, the museum is moving almost every work of art in the building. The major transformation of the museum’s galleries began in March 2025. The next phase of art movement in the galleries will begin in late September 2025. A “behind-the-scenes" visible art storage experience gives visitors a rare, interactive glimpse into the hidden journey of artworks. These galleries, located on the main glass bridge, are mini replicas of Crystal Bridges’ vault. The Trails and Grounds across the campus are open, and sculpture work is ongoing. The last day to see Crystal Bridges’ temporary exhibition, KAWS: FAMILY, is Monday, July 28. Tickets are $15, and free for Crystal Bridges members, SNAP participants, veterans, and adults and youth 25 and under. The new Crystal Bridges and the Momentary gallery at XNA is now open, themed Home and Away. Crystal Bridges sits on a 134-acre campus filled with nature walks, outdoor sculpture, and trails connecting new buildings, like Heartland Whole Health Institute, which opened to the public May 1, and Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, which welcomed its first class of students this week. Guests can enjoy a significant amount of the Crystal Bridges collection, along with the museum’s temporary exhibition, KAWS: FAMILY.