IN THE MOMENT: The Momentary, situated on the grounds of an old Kraft cheese factory, opened in 2020 as an extension of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. (Courtesy venue)
ARKANSAS HAS ITS MOMENTARY
BENTONVILLE, Arkansas — The Momentary is the epicenter of the arts community in the growing city of Bentonville, that encompasses a 6,000-capacity amphitheater built in a converted Kraft cheese factory, which closed in 2013.
The complex, which extends to bars, retail and studios for resident artists, is an extension of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, a nonprofit founded by Walmart heiress Alice Walton.
The vibrant, sprawling brick-and-glass complex has attracted a string of national acts, including Jon Batiste, John Legend, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Lake Street Dive for their 2024 Live On the Green series.
Upcoming performances by Slash’s SERPENT festival (Aug. 16); deadmau5 (Aug. 24); TLC & Shaggy (Sept. 6); Gary Clark Jr. (Sept. 7); Patti LaBelle & Gladys Knight (Sept. 13); Omar Apollo (Sept. 24) and Kaskade (Sept. 27).
The bookings more than double the number of Live on the Green shows held in 2023.
If the Momentary leans into rock ‘n’ roll, Crystal Bridges is classical, with contemporary flair.
ENTER THE PORTAL: “The Portal: An Art Experience by Jewel” showcased art and a 200-piece drone light show set to the singer/songwriter’s music.
Founded in 2005 , Crystal Bridges opened in 2011. The museum is nestled on 120 wooded acres with five miles of walking trails, ponds and bridges connecting exhibition halls, performance spaces, a restaurant, library and a gift shop. With abundant natural light and arched, sloping rooftops that mimic the surrounding hills, Crystal Bridges combines the power of art and architecture with the beauty of nature.
Admission is free for the museum, which has welcomed more than 12.2 million visitors over the past 13 years and is undergoing a 100,000-square-foot expansion to be completed in 2026. The permanent collection spans five centuries of American masterworks from early American to current day and is enhanced by temporary exhibitions including singer/songwriter Jewel’s recent inaugural venture: “The Portal: An Art Experience by Jewel.”
“I have always had a passion for art. I studied both voice and visual art when I was younger, but my music career took off instead,” said Jewel, the multi-platinum singer/songwriter and mental health advocate. “In the last couple of years, I’ve been wanting to incorporate visual art back into my life as well as into how I tell stories because, no matter what medium I use, storytelling is at the heart of it.”
The exhibition, which opened in early May and ran through July 28, explores the intersection of music, mental health, technology and art and included two original artworks — a sculpture and portrait of her son — a 200-piece drone sky story choreographed to Jewel’s meditative song “The Portal” and a holographic artwork of Jewel welcoming visitors to the exhibit.
The audio-visual art experience was designed by Jewel to create a space for reflection, connection and transformation. Artnet, an art market website, called the experience “accessible immersion into art therapy.”
“Crystal Bridges provided me an opportunity to not only debut my visual art with three new pieces, a sculpture, oil painting and hologram, but to also combine visual art with my other two passions, music and behavioral health, with The Portal,” said Jewel. “The museum’s rebellious spirit of democratizing art so closely aligns with my vision for this experience and with who I am. It’s such an honor to be able to share my art, philosophies and music in such a prestigious space.”
