Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Patrons preview Chihuly
Picnic seeds programs
Chihuly: In the Gallery and In the Forest sponsors were treated to a preview of the latest temporary exhibition May 27 at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville. Guests also had the opportunity to meet worldrenowned artist Dale Chihuly, wife Leslie Jackson Chihuly and members of his team.
The exhibit features 10 largescale outdoor installations in the museum’s North Forest and, in the gallery, more than 300 objects comprised of 14 bodies of work. The works are created of a variety of media including glass, paper and neon.
Alice Walton, museum founder and chairwoman, told the nearrecord crowd at the Director’s Reception following the gallery preview, “Magic and enchantment awaits us all. This next chapter for us will take art and nature to the next step.”
The project, four years in the making, Leslie Jackson Chihuly said, is “based on shared values. Alice wants to make art accessible to all. So does Dale — I think they were separated at birth.”
Rod Bigelow, executive director and chief diversity and inclusion officer, said, “This is our very first outdoor exhibition. It’s a big deal for us. It’s a really important part of our history.”
Ancillary events include a half dozen special exhibition tours of the forest installation through the end of the month, an adult mini-workshop led by Octavio Logo on June 28 and the Chihuly Saturday Night music series.
Those gathered for the preview and reception included Johnny Mike Walker, Mandy Macke, Austin Walker, Chris Angalet, Jennifer and Louis Martin, Nancy Hunter, Kim and Mark Dutton, Shannon and Charles Holley, Sue and Charles Redfield, Robin and Gary George,
Lynn and Ron Blakeman, and Carol Corning and Ed Pennebaker.
The rain held off long enough June 3 for the third annual Picnic on the Farm to benefit Apple Seeds Teaching Farm at Gulley Park in Fayetteville.
The farm has worked with some 2,200 area elementary and middle-school students through their Farm Lab field trip program and in-school nutrition presentations. Proceeds from the picnic will help ensure that cost does not hamper schools from participating and that the programs are open to all students.
Other offerings at the teaching farm include the Plant to Plate program — a partnership between Apple Seeds, schools and community organizations. Together, they serve students and families through creating activities such as garden clubs, healthy snack classes and school garden education.
The new farm at Gulley Park will house a teaching kitchen in a retrofitted wood shop. The kitchen will feature a central chef’s station and three cooking stations for students to implement what they’ve learned.
Those picnicking included Lisa Margulis and Martin Miller, Deborah and Jay Keazer, Bernice and Bryan Hembree, Jeannette Collins, Linda and Will Collins, Canem Arkan, Katie Von Rembo, Theresa Rye, Nick Booth, Jessica Farmer, Melissa Caffrey, and Juliane Garbers and Logan Webster.
For more event photos — nwadg.com/photos/society.