The NBC Today show announced at the beginning of the year that the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (
www.crystalbridges.org ) was the number one rated new attraction in the USA for the year 2013. Therefore, I was delighted to have the opportunity to take my grandkids to this award-winning facility yesterday!
Crystal Bridges is a gift to the citizens of the United States, and the world in general, made possible in large part through Walmart heiress, Alice Walton, and the Walton Family Foundation. So a big THANK YOU to that foundation, and their partners, for their generosity!
This is just one of the hundreds of pieces of artwork, by very famous and well-known artists.
You can look at the world through a lovely red lens, in one section of the gallery.
And, you can look at the world through another circle in the ceiling, at one of the outdoor art installations.
The reflecting pond between the various sections of the museum makes for pretty scenery, whether one is looking inside the galleries at the artwork, or outside the galleries at nature!
The grandkids had learned about this famous Norman Rockwell painting in their art classes at school.
A fun part of the museum is the education area, where you can let your creative juices flow to your heart's content!
Jacob, being a true Arkansas Razorback fan, set to work to draw his favorite sports mascot, using the image on his phone as his guide.
Great job, Jacob!
Kaitlyn's artwork reflected her love for cheerleading for her high school --- Shiloh Christian.
The kids cooperated when I asked them to smile for a photo from the puppet stage in the education area.
Those "Kodak moments" can start as soon as you get out of your car, as this photo was taken in the grassy area where we parked the car.
The outdoor sculpture trail is another fun area to explore.
Since Bentonville is in the heart of "Arkansas Hog Country", it is only fitting that this outdoor sculpture, is a popular photo spot for Razorback fans!
The very first time I saw this lovely landscaped area, full of artistically placed natural stone, I knew I wanted to come back there for a group photo with the grandkids!
This gorgeous silver tree that greets visitors as they enter and leave the museum always makes me be in awe of its shining magnificence.
When we were on the museum grounds, walking along this road, I was reminded of the verse in the Bible (Deuteronomy 5:7) that talks about the importance of us teaching God's word, when it says: "Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." I would encourage parents everywhere to take advantage of every opportunity to do just that, and if you would like for some of that "walking along the road" to be in a picturesque (and free of charge!) location, just log on to
www.crystalbridges.org , and start planning your visit. It will give you "MILES OF SMILES"! Tricia
The NBC Today show announced at the beginning of the year that the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (www.crystalbridges.org ) was the number one rated new attraction in the USA for the year 2013. Therefore, I was delighted to have the opportunity to take my grandkids to this award-winning facility yesterday!
Crystal Bridges is a gift to the citizens of the United States, and the world in general, made possible in large part through Walmart heiress, Alice Walton, and the Walton Family Foundation. So a big THANK YOU to that foundation, and their partners, for their generosity! 
This is just one of the hundreds of pieces of artwork, by very famous and well-known artists.
You can look at the world through a lovely red lens, in one section of the gallery.
And, you can look at the world through another circle in the ceiling, at one of the outdoor art installations.
The reflecting pond between the various sections of the museum makes for pretty scenery, whether one is looking inside the galleries at the artwork, or outside the galleries at nature!
The grandkids had learned about this famous Norman Rockwell painting in their art classes at school.
A fun part of the museum is the education area, where you can let your creative juices flow to your heart's content!
Jacob, being a true Arkansas Razorback fan, set to work to draw his favorite sports mascot, using the image on his phone as his guide.
Great job, Jacob!
Kaitlyn's artwork reflected her love for cheerleading for her high school --- Shiloh Christian.
The kids cooperated when I asked them to smile for a photo from the puppet stage in the education area. 
Those "Kodak moments" can start as soon as you get out of your car, as this photo was taken in the grassy area where we parked the car. 
The outdoor sculpture trail is another fun area to explore. 
Since Bentonville is in the heart of "Arkansas Hog Country", it is only fitting that this outdoor sculpture, is a popular photo spot for Razorback fans!
The very first time I saw this lovely landscaped area, full of artistically placed natural stone, I knew I wanted to come back there for a group photo with the grandkids! 
This gorgeous silver tree that greets visitors as they enter and leave the museum always makes me be in awe of its shining magnificence.
When we were on the museum grounds, walking along this road, I was reminded of the verse in the Bible (Deuteronomy 5:7) that talks about the importance of us teaching God's word, when it says: "Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." I would encourage parents everywhere to take advantage of every opportunity to do just that, and if you would like for some of that "walking along the road" to be in a picturesque (and free of charge!) location, just log on to www.crystalbridges.org , and start planning your visit. It will give you "MILES OF SMILES"! Tricia
