Museum considers equality

Crystal Bridges hosts exhibition

Museum patrons and sponsors of Hank Willis Thomas’ All Thing Being Equal … were to treated Feb. 6 to a preview of the latest temporary exhibition at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville. The exhibition is part of the museum’s celebration of Black History Month.

The exhibition consists of 91 of Thomas’ works in various media and is described as “combining familiar sports and advertising images with histories of art and politics (and) examines popular culture and how art can raise awareness in the ongoing struggle for social justice and civil rights.”

Rod Bigelow, Crystal Bridges executive director and chief diversity and inclusion officer, told those gathered for the preview: “This exhibition is the first mid-career retrospective for this acclaimed and award-winning contemporary artist, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have it here at Crystal Bridges.”

He said Thomas and the exhibition “challenge us to use art as a way to talk to each other about difficult topics.”

The museum has set several other Black History Month events. Those listed below are at Crystal Bridges unless otherwise noted.

Interactive Film Screening: Do the Right Thing — 7-9 p.m. Feb. 13.

Gallery Conversation: Poetry Reading with Geffrey Davis — 1-2 p.m. Feb. 15.

Gallery Conversation — 1-2 p.m. Feb. 20.

Evening for Educators — 6-8 p.m. Feb. 21.

Concert Performance: Rev. Sekou’s Concert Rally to Vote! — 7-9 p.m. Feb. 28.

For Freedoms Community Conversation: Freedom of Speech — 1-3 p.m. Feb. 29.

For Freedoms Community Conversation: Freedom from Want — 5:30-7:30 p.m. March 5 at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

For Freedoms Community Conversation: Freedom from Fear — 6-8 p.m. March 12 at the Northwest Arkansas Community College main theater in Rogers.

For Freedoms Community Conversation: Freedom of Worship — 6-8 p.m. March 19 at The Jones Center in Springdale.

Studio Squad: The Four Freedoms — 4-5:30 p.m. March 14 (for ages 11-13).

Sponsors of the exhibition are Phillips, Esther-Silver Parker, Deborah Wright, Arkansas Humanities Council, Walmart AAOC and Kate and Greg Schaffer.

Among those previewing the exhibition were

Jamal Parker, Pamela and Arnold Lehman, Vivian Pfeiffer, Twilla Brooks, Sharon Munroe, Sharon and John Hoffman and

Wayne Hamilton.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Allison Glenn (from left), Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art associate curator of contemporary art; Brian Ferriso, Portland Art Museum director; Julia Dolan, The Minor White Curator of Photography, Portland Museum; Sara Kajewski, The Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Portland Museum; and Rod Bigelow, Crystal Bridges executive director and chief diversity and inclusion office, gather at the sponsor preview for All Things Being Equal … on Feb. 6 at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Wayne Hamilton (from left), Sharon Munroe, Twilla Brooks and Jamal Parker view All Things Being Equal …

John and Sharon Hoffman attend the All Things Being Equal … preview. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) (from left), Hank Willis Thomas and Kalia Brooks Nelson visit at the All Things Being Equal … preview.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Lewis Nerman and Margi Conrads visit at the Crystal Bridges preview.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Kate and Greg Schaffer enjoy the sponsor preview Feb. 6 at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Allison Glenn (from left), Vivian Pfeiffer, Pamela and Arnold Lehman and Rod Bigelow visit at the All Things Being Equal … preview.