A Northwestern Arkansas Cultural Extravaganza
Although Northwestern Arkansas may seem an unlikely place for a world class art museum, Bentonville is a required stop for all art aficionados. Thanks to the efforts of local philanthropists coupled with a generous corporate sponsorship, Bentonville now boasts a thriving arts community. Add in a hip boutique hotel and you have all the ingredients for a cool cultural getaway. And because of the layout of the downtown area, and the access features at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, it’s also an excellent choice for wheelchair-users and slow walkers.
Art for All
The brainchild of Walmart heiress Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (www.crystalbridges.org) opened its door on Veterans Day in 2011. Walton contributed over $300 million to the project, and secured corporate support from Walmart to insure that everyone has access to these great works of art. To that end there’s no admission charge to the regular exhibits.
The museum takes its name from a nearby natural spring and the bridges incorporated into the design of the building. In fact, the building itself is a work of art; as it features a series of pavilions surrounded by two ponds, which serves to unite nature with art.
Access wasn’t overlooked in the building design either, as there’s a drop-off area in front of the building, with level access to the entrance. Accessible parking is available in the lower garage, with elevator access to the lobby. Inside you’ll find plenty of space throughout the galleries, accessible restrooms, and wheelchairs for loan at the front desk.
The museum’s permanent collection features over 400 American masterworks, from colonial times to the present day. From Charles Wilson Peale’s George Washington, to Norman Rockwell’s iconic Rosie the Riveter, and Andy Warhol’s Dolly Parton, variety is the key word at the museum.
Outside there is an extensive network of trails and a sculpture garden. The half-mile Art Trail is a good choice for slow walkers and wheelchair-users, as it features a hard surface with minimal elevation gains. It begins at the south lobby and passes by the amphitheater and numerous sculptures along the way. And the Crystal Bridges App even features an accessible tour of the grounds. Truly they thought of everything in the access department.
Stay a Spell
The opening of Crystal Bridges fueled a downtown Bentonville rebirth, which included Main Street renovations and an influx of new businesses. And one of the newcomers to this Northwestern Arkansas hotspot was a hotel with a cultural component – the 21c Museum Hotel (www.21cmuseumhotels.com/bentonville). Located in the heart of downtown, this 104-room boutique property also boasts a free contemporary art museum that’s open to the public.
There is level access to the lobby with plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair inside. The check-in desk is sleek and modern, and in keeping with the cultural theme, art work also dots the lobby. A barrier-free path leads to the elevator from the lobby, with elevator access to the upper floors.
The accessible luxury double queen room features a wide doorway, with good pathway access throughout the room. It’s furnished with two 22-inch high queen-sized beds with wheelchair-access on both sides. A chair, two tables and a banquette round out the furnishings.
The spacious bathroom has a full five-foot turning radius and is equipped with a roll-in shower with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a fold-down shower bench. The toilet has grab bars on the back and right walls (as seated), and there is also a roll-under sink with a lowered mirror in the bathroom. They even remembered the small things like lowered hooks. And then there’s the rubber ducky, which completes the look.
Access is good to all of the public spaces too, including the Hive Restaurant and the first-floor galleries that house rotating exhibits. Take some time to enjoy the public art work and be on the lookout for the iconic green penguins that were crafted specifically for the property by the Cracking Art Group. You’ll find them in the lobby, the restaurant and maybe even on the rooftop.
Explore Downtown
Save some time to explore the Bentonville downtown area, while you’re in Northwestern Arkansas. Previously this area was not wheelchair-accessible, but because of renovations and the addition of curb-cuts and wide sidewalks, it’s now a good choice for everyone. Walk around the town square, window shop or chow down at one of the many accessible restaurants in the area.
The Walmart Museum (www.walmartmuseum.com) is also a must-see, even if you’re not a Walmart fan, as it’s a great walk down memory lane. Although the first Walmart was opened in nearby Rogers, Bentonville is considered the birthplace by many, as it was home to Walton’s 5 & 10, which inspired Sam Walton to launch the now famous retail chain. And although the five-and-dime has long since closed its doors, the Walmart Museum now occupies the former Main Street retail space.
There’s level access to the visitor center, with accessible street parking located nearby at Main and Central Streets, and Main and 2nd Streets. Inside there’s plenty of room to wheel around the re-created old store, filled with retro toys, candies and souvenirs. It will either evoke memories, or bring on bouts of hearty laughter.
The adjacent exhibit gallery tells the history of Walmart, from the 1940s to today; with lots of Walton family photos, mementos and film clips. They even have Sam Walton’s 1970 Ford pickup truck on display.
And if all this nostalgia has worked up your appetite, the Spark Café Soda Fountain is located at the end. Sam Walton loved ice cream, so it seems an appropriate inclusions. And it’s a great way to top off an art and culture visit to Northwestern Arkansas.
