Crystal Bridges: Guided Tour

Not long after arriving at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas last week, we were whisked into groups and hurled into the museum.  Against my wishes, our class was separated to be guided by two museum educators, so I wasn't able to get all of the photos I would have and include all of my students.

Our own guide was Will Knauer, who will also work with the class this week in our classroom, exploring still more of the collection and creating artistic responses to the pieces.  Mr. Knauer invited students to see what they could find in four selected areas of the museum.  The tour mostly concentrated on portraits, but along the way, we caught glimpses at other works.  The tour culminated at the We the People display near the entrance of the gallery.

Our other group was accompanied by our own special educator, Mr. Bandy, so they were also in capable hands.  They related to the same pieces of art, but they were also joined by some of Miss Horn's students, so I'm sure their conversations were very different from our own.

I was impressed by the ability to attend to the moments that were presented to my students.  They were respectful of the art, the expressions of others, and of the museum itself.