| Designed by world renowned architect Moshe | | | | Professor Benjamin H. Rand is currently on loan to |
| Safdie, and funded by billionaire Alice Walton, the | | | | the Philadelphia Museum of Art. |
| $50 million (that's just the cost of the facility and | | | | Jasper Cropsey's majestic depiction of early |
| doesn't include the artworks) Crystal Bridges | | | | American frontier life, "The Backwoods of |
| Museum of American Art is scheduled to open in | | | | America," is now featured in the American |
| 2009, in Bentonville, Arkansas. The museum will | | | | galleries of The Nelson-Atkins in Kansas City, and |
| house a permanent collection of signature works | | | | the most extensive surviving group of Colonial |
| from American artists along with galleries | | | | American portraiture, the Levy-Franks family |
| dedicated to regional art and artists including | | | | paintings, is currently on loan at The Jewish |
| Native American art, but oddly enough, this | | | | Museum in New York City. Also, the distinctive |
| monumental task is not making everyone happy. | | | | painting George Washington (The |
| The depth of the museum is indicated in a | | | | Constable-Hamilton Portrait) by the American |
| purchase from Christies America's auction house | | | | painter Gilbert Stuart is currently on view at the |
| in New York City in 2004 of Charles Wilson | | | | Museum of Fine Arts Houston. |
| Peale's portrait of George Washington for $6.1 | | | | While the puffers puff, others admire Walton's |
| million. This is causing some critics to puff up, | | | | passion and dedication to the arts, and recognize |
| believing that the art works are being snatched | | | | the fact Crystal Bridges will be the premier |
| from their own backyard. No need to worry, | | | | American Art Collection, once it is in place. The |
| collaborating with other institutions will be an | | | | collection is headed up by Bob Workman, |
| important focus of Crystal Bridges, even before | | | | formerly associated with the Amon Carter |
| the museum opens, and they can also rest easy | | | | Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. |
| to know Bentonville does have an airport. | | | | When completed, the museum complex will |
| A number of the works from the Crystal Bridges | | | | encompass approximately 100,000 square feet of |
| permanent collection are already on loan at | | | | gallery, library, meeting, and office space, a |
| various museums throughout the United States | | | | 250-seat indoor auditorium, areas for outdoor |
| including: The Hudson River School masterwork | | | | concerts and public events, gallery rooms suitable |
| "Kindred Spirits" which was loaned to The National | | | | for large receptions, as well as sculpture gardens |
| Gallery in Washington, D.C. for public viewing from | | | | and walking trails. Walton is building this "American |
| 2005 - 2007. It is currently on loan to the | | | | Dream" on 100 pristine, wooded acres her family |
| Brooklyn Museum's exhibition by the same name | | | | owns in Bentonville. |
| featuring the works of Asher B. Durand. The | | | | To find out more about this amazing museum |
| same exhibition will also travel to Washington D.C. | | | | visit the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art |
| and San Diego. Thomas Eakins' Portrait of | | | | website. |