ARTS & CULTURE
Text and photos courtesy of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Crystal Bridges Explores 250 Years of Art, History and Civic Participation With America 250: Common Threads
From George Washington’s many faces to contemporary quilts, from the Declaration of Independence to the moon landing, see our nation’s history in vivid color, detailed stitches, patriotic snapshots and luminous paintings in America 250: Common Threads at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. In July, the United States will mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The exhibition will both commemorate the events of 1776 and reflect on 250 years of American art and civic participation.
An early engraving of the Declaration of Independence will anchor a group of historic documents displayed alongside textiles, paintings, toys and other works from 1776 to the present. The exhibition considers how artists and national leaders document American history. America 250: Common Threads explores how American artists historically foster civic participation and strengthen community relationships. Contemporary artists featured in the exhibition, such as Robert Colescott, Kay WalkingStick and Howard Finster, continue to revisit national symbols and explore their resonance.
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The exhibition will also feature live quilting, as local quilters and guilds work in the galleries to piece fabric squares made by K-12 students across Arkansas and designed by artist Basil Kincaid.
Tickets to America 250: Common Threads are $15, free for Crystal Bridges members, SNAP participants, veterans, and ages 18 and under. The exhibition is on view March 14 to July 27.
Giuseppe Carrachi; Alexander Hamilton, 1794; Marble; 25 in. x 12 in. x 14 in.; Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville Arkansas, 2005.23
Vanessa German; Artist Considers the 21st Century Implications of Psychosis as Public Health Crisis or, Critical/Comedic Analysis into the Pathophysiology of Psychosis, 2014; Mixed media assemblage; 40 in. x 55 in. x 26 in.; Crystal Brides Museum of American Art, Bentonville Arkansas, 202.9; Photography by Edward C. Robison III
​America 250: Common Threads is organized by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in partnership with the American Folk Art Museum. The exhibition is sponsored by Stout Executive Search, The Coca-Cola Company, Christie’s, Becky and Bob Alexander, Shari and Lamar Steiger Family, Harrison and Rhonda French Family, Valorie and Randy Lawson/Lawco Energy Group, Frederick and Shelby Gans, Avis Bailey, Beverly and Charles Lee, and Marybeth and Micky Mayfield.
Unknown artist; Baltimore-Style Album Quilt, 1845-1850; Cotton with wool embroidery; 84 in. x 82 in.: American Folk Art Museum, Gift of Altria Group, Inc., 2008.9.3
