The first in Crystal Bridges’ Great Hall Lecture Series is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday, March 3, and features artist Karen LaMonte. The presentation, titled “Beauty and Catastrophe,” will focus on Lamonte’s life-sized cast glass sculpture Dress Impression with Wrinkled Cowl, on view in the temporary exhibition Wonder World. Lamonte will also share her research into how femininity is represented in art and society, and will provide insights into some of the techniques she has developed to create her works in glass and ceramic. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Tickets can be reserved online at the museum’s website: crystalbridges.org/education/public-programs.
“Art and Wonder” is the topic of the museum’s first Family Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 4. With a focus on Wonder World, the temporary exhibition of contemporary works, this family-friendly event will feature musical performances, art-making activities, a gallery challenge, and a child-friendly tour. Most activities are geared toward children ages five to 12 and admission is free. No prior registration is required.
Homeschool families will find many resources geared especially for them at Homeschool Friday Fun, a monthly program scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. on the first Friday of each month through June. The program starts with a half-hour educational tour in the galleries, followed by 90 minutes of hands-on creative exploration in the art studio. Registration is currently underway for the April event, scheduled for Friday, April 6. Participants will celebrate National Poetry Month by exploring several works of art in the collection, then create their own unique art-inspired poem. There is a materials fee of $5 per child. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required.
Adult educational programming in March includes a hands-on workshop exploring Abstract Expressionism with watercolors, scheduled for 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 11. The cost is $45 per person, with a 10 percent discount for museum members. In addition, the museum is offering “Art 101,” a four-part art history class, taking place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday evenings, March 14 through April 4. The class will be led by the museum’s Interpretation Manager, Aaron Jones, with presentations by museum curators and other staff members. The cost is $55 for the full series, with a 10 percent discount for museum members. Pre-registration for these programs is required.
“Exploring Landscapes,” a three-part class in landscape painting for youth ages six to nine, is offered from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Fridays, March 30, April 6, and April 13. In this program, young artists will learn about works in the Crystal Bridges collection, and explore their own creativity in the studio. The cost for the full series is $45 per child, with a 10 percent discount for Crystal Bridges members. Pre-registration is required.
Three lunch-hour Gallery Talks are scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. this month: “The Modern Art of Nature,” featuring museum Executive Director Don Bacigalupi and Director of Trails and Grounds Scott Eccleston, is offered on Monday, March 12; “Follow the Footsteps of the Explorer and Pioneer Artists,” with Assistant Curator Manuela Well-Off-Man is scheduled for Thursday, March 15; and a special presentation in honor of National Women’s History Month is offered on Monday, March 26, with Sandy Edwards, Crystal Bridges deputy director of museum relations; accompanied by Janine Parry, professor of political science; and Alissa Mazow, assistant professor of art history, both from the University of Arkansas. No registration is required for any of these programs, but participants are encouraged to arrive five minutes early, as seating is limited.
Drawing in the Galleries continues on Wednesday, March 14, with a focus on the human figure. This monthly class for participants ages 18 and up is guided by a teaching artist. Two sessions are offered: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 5:30 to 7 p.m. The museum will provide paper and pencils, but participants are welcome to bring their own sketchbook. Pre-registration is required and each session is $10 for non-members. Crystal Bridges members receive a 10 percent discount.
Interested participants may register online or get additional information about these and other programs on the Crystal Bridges website: crystalbridges.org/education/public-programs