Bentonville, Arkansas promised small-town charm along with a thriving arts scene. Driving into town, I saw murals splashed across buildings and colorful abstract sculptures. What other art in Bentonville awaited me?
I have a wandering soul, and staying in one place for very long brings on cabin fever. So I wanted to visit a new site that was within driving distance for a long weekend. Through some research of locations in the Midwest, I found Bentonville, Arkansas. The town promised small-town charm along with a thriving arts scene, and I decided to give it a try. As I drove into town, I immediately noticed several buildings with murals splashed across the sides. There was a riot of color from abstract pieces along with more natural scenes. What other art in Bentonville would I find?
I immediately loved the street art in Bentonville. Photo by Erin Jones
Where to Stay in Bentonville, Arkansas
I wanted my weekend to focus on the arts scene, so I chose to stay at the 21C Art Museum Hotel in Bentonville. The 21C is a chain of hotels that provides art galleries in each lobby.
Front of the 21C Hotel in Bentonville, Arkansas. Photo courtesy of 21C Hotels
The art pieces rotate, so the art will be different even if you return to the same hotel.
Every 21C Hotel features an ever-changing art gallery. Photo by Ironside Photography / Stephen Ironside courtesy of 21C Hotels
The hotel is modern, and the rooms provide an oasis of calm with blonde wood furnishings and vibrant paintings that are unique pieces in each room.
Room at the 21C Hotel in Bentonville, Arkansas. Photo courtesy of 21C Hotels
Once I had settled in my room, I headed back down to check out the hotel restaurant, “The Hive.” With honeycomb sculptures lining the top of the walls, the restaurant is an art display all its own.
The Hive restaurant at 21C Hotel in Bentonville. Photo by Johnston Foster, courtesy of 21C Hotels
The menu features Southern comfort food and is an excellent reminder of the Northwest Arkansas location. Enjoy a peach vanilla iced tea and a brunch menu that includes a burger with pimento cheese or French toast topped with apples and whipped cream. The restaurant has a relaxing vibe, and the food portions are plentiful. Finally, I was ready to take off on foot to discover more of the art in Bentonville.
For those looking to explore the area without the hassle of planning, Weekender Management offers a range of stays that make a perfect home base for your trip.
Where to Find Art in Bentonville
When I travel to a new city, I like to find a local tour guide to show me the sights to get my bearings before I dive deeper on my own. Big on Bentonville is a locally owned company that provides food tours and a general Bentonville history tour. The company offers tours multiple times per day, and it conveniently starts right outside the 21C hotel.
The local guides pick you up in a golf cart, providing an easy way to tour the town and see the sights. My tour started in the town square, a nostalgic city center that, over the past decade, has seen a revitalization. Bentonville Square is a gathering place for locals and visitors alike, as there are boutique shops, a bookstore, and restaurants. I loved the square as it felt like a community where local businesses could thrive.
Bentonville, Arkansas Square. Photo by Erin Jones
Street Art Thrives in Bentonville
It did not take long to find the art, as several buildings surrounding the square captured my attention. One of my favorite murals is by artist Steve Adair and is a tribute to actress Vivien Leigh. Located at 116 Central Avenue, the mural is on the garage door of a building. The striking face against a background of hot pink and classic red brick intrigued me and sparked my curiosity for what other Bentonville art I would find.
This Steve Adair mural intrigued me to discover more art in Bentonville. Photo by Erin Jones
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
The shining start of the Bentonville Art scene is the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. The structure itself is a juxtaposition of modern and natural as the museum sits on a small lake. Floor-to-ceiling windows line the perimeter, offering natural landscape views as you explore art from early American to modern times.
The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is an architectural masterpiece. Photo courtesy of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Exploring American Art in Crystal Bridges
The art in Crystal Bridges is in chronological order. This gave me a unique experience of seeing how images and art changed over time. Although the museum was bustling with visitors, I slowly meandered, discovering fine art pieces that interested me and required a closer look.
At the beginning of the exhibits, I was drawn to a painting by Robert Henri titled “Jessica Penn in Black with White Plumes”. The image is of a Broadway dancer wearing a stunning full-length black dress with a hat. The painting has a dramatically dark background, which makes the figure stand out even more, but the facial expression drew me in for a closer look. The photo description mentioned how her confident pose communicated her independence and spirit.
The Contemporary art gallery at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Photo courtesy of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Get Close to Nature at Crystal Bridges
The museum has several entrances that allow you to get outside along some of the trails that surround the museum.
Aerial view of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville. Photo courtesy of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
I decided to venture out a little bit to discover the sculptures and take in the forest of trees. Alongside the walking trails, I found some picnic tables and benches, taking advantage of them. I wanted some time to pause and enjoy the beauty around me, an opportunity I must admit I don’t always make time for when I travel.
View from north lawn to gallery bridge with Lowell’s Ocean, steel sculpture by Mark di Suvero. Photo courtesy of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Food and Art Blends at Crystal Bridges
The museum has a lovely restaurant called “Eleven”, and it is full of tables so you can enjoy a cup of coffee or a snack after taking a walk through the museum. I was able to get a table right next to a window and enjoyed people-watching and the view overlooking the lake.
Eleven Restaurant inside Crystal Bridges. Photo by Erin Jones
Visiting the Museum
Entry to the museum is always free, and for such a world-class museum, it seems incredible. Unfortunately, the museum is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Tuesdays, so plan your trip around those days to ensure you have plenty of time to explore the museum and grounds.
View of Town Branch Creek and the south side of Crystal Bridges Museum. Photo courtesy of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Discovering More Street Art in Bentonville
Although I love an art museum, I am always inspired the most by street art and murals. Although there are several pieces right on the square itself that don’t require planning to see, I knew I wanted to map out some harder-to-locate art pieces around town. Visit Bentonville has created a listing of public art that includes addresses of the locations so you can easily use the GPS on your phone to explore Bentonville.
Heartland by Daniel Popper
After reviewing the different sculptures around town, I decided to visit Heartland by artist Daniel Popper. The statue—located in Compton Gardens—is an especially stunning sight, particularly in the summer. Two hands link and cradle a heart in the middle of a field of coneflowers. The statue is made of wood and fiberglass and stands almost fifteen feet tall. There is a trail around the sculpture, and I took some time to examine it from multiple angles. The flowers and green trees in the background created a stunning scene I won’t quickly forget.
I enjoyed the Heartland Sculpture by Daniel Popper. Photo by Erin Jones
Mural Near Bentonville Square
As I continued my Bentonville art journey, I found several murals in one spot at 410 SW A Street, just a few blocks from Bentonville Square. Several square paintings lined a parking lot area, each more visually stunning than the next. “Don’t Be a Chicken” by artist Zac Laman is a realistic painting of a somewhat angry-looking chicken that made me look twice.
Don’t Be a Chicken Mural by Zac Lane. Photo by Erin Jones
Along the same wall, I enjoyed “Monkey Ride” by Stacey Bee. Bee uses only black and white, but her monkey on a bicycle in a top hat provides whimsy to the Bentonville art scene.
Monkey Ride Mural by Stacey Bee. Photo by Erin Jones
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Discovering Art in Bentonville
The Bentonville art scene might not be the first thing that comes to mind when someone dreams of an art destination, but I am so happy I discovered it. The local community shows a sense of pride in what they have created, and I cannot wait to see what Bentonville comes up with next. I know I’ve only scratched the surface with what I was able to see during my weekend in town. However, I am not sad, because it means I will return and find so much more art in Bentonville, Arkansas. Discovering a rich arts scene in such a charming town was exactly the getaway I needed. I can’t wait to see what I find next. Be sure to check out Wander for more things to see and do when you explore Arkansas, and other ideas we have for fun road trips and art destinations.
Love the C-1. My kind of hotel. Wonderful story Erin. Thank you. ~MaryGo