My favorite TV show is CBS Sunday Morning because it showcases informative and ‘feel good’ stories. A few months ago, they did a piece on an unlikely place for a world-class museum, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. Created by Alice Walton (heir to the Walmart fortune) and designed by Moshe Safdie, it is filled with the world’s most extensive collection of American Art. As soon as I saw the episode, I knew I wanted to visit.
When I was recently chosen to be the Keynote Speaker at the Professional Association of Innkeepers conference being held in Little Rock, Arkansas, I figured I could combine the speaking engagement along with a visit to Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas. Unless one has work with Tyson or Walmart, the chances of Bentonville being on your radar are pretty slim. However, it is worth a detour. I am so glad I made the effort and would highly recommend it to anyone who is anywhere near the area. The architecture and grounds are spectacular and the collection is grand. The museum combines the natural beauty that is inherent in Arkansas (their tag line is the natural state) with an unrivaled collection.
While there, I realized there is something deeply satisfying about spending a day surrounded by art, and when it is enhanced by inventive architecture that honors the gifts of nature, it makes a deep impression. Along with an excellent restaurant and exciting temporary exhibit, I felt like I was receiving an overabundance of gifts all at once. (Just in case you go, we stayed at a really lovely hotel, The Doubletree Suites. I also heard a new hotel is in the works as part of the museums’ offerings.)
In their temporary exhibit called “Wonders of the World”, there was an installation titled “Bad Lawn”. And if the purpose of art is to be enjoyable as well as thought provoking, then this is worth pondering. The large space was simply filled with grass growing in a box. It intrigued me so much that I made a point of reading the artist’s description of the piece. (My curiosity could have something to do with the fact that I’m married to an artist).
My thought after reading the explanation for “Bad Lawn” was that it could be inspiration for leading a more meaningful life:
Everything is what we make it. A rose is a weed to a corn farmer.
Value, beauty, life itself is what we decide it is.
Choose well.