Bentonville Library programs highlight American Art

Bentonville, Ark.­­– Interested in American art?  Bentonville Public Library (BPL) is celebrating American art during the month of April.

BPL Director Hadi Dudley and Jeanne Besaw, Director of Library Services at Crystal Bridges, will host Welcome to Your Library:  A conversation about American Art books.  The virtual program is scheduled for Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 2PM.  Anyone interested in art, books, libraries and community culture is invited to attend and join the conversation during the Q&A session.

Participants should register in advance at bentonvillelibrary.org.

BPL Librarian Heather Hays will share her perspective during a book talk featuring Makers: A History of American Studio Craft / Janet Koplos.  The title and library book talk complements CBMAA’s current exhibit, Crafting America.  Watch for the video to be shared mid-April on Facebook at bplfriendsfoundation.

BPL’s Teen Advisory Board will debut an art scavenger hunt that promotes exploration of some public art in Bentonville.  And during the last week of April, Stories Online with BPL will feature good books that celebrate art.

These programs support the Arkansas Library arts book distribution pilot program that was made possible through a gift by the Alice L. Walton Foundation through the Arkansas State Library and Arkansas Center for the Book in collaboration with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

Several new books about American art were donated to Bentonville Public Library as part of a unique pilot project to distribute art books to sixteen Arkansas libraries.  The purpose of the gift is to increase access to content about American Art.

Over twenty beautiful works, valued at more than $1,400, are featured through a special display and are available for checkout at BPL.  Each book contains a special bookplate acknowledging the donation.