Crystal Bridges and the Momentary are teaming up with Northwest Arkansas Food Bank to raise awareness around food insecurity and promote wellness through art, education, and community engagement. The collaboration, which is part of the museum’s Arts and Social Impact Accelerator program, will bring the Crystal Bridges Mobile Art Lab and Lounge to Farmer’s Markets across the region this summer and fall.
The new Farmer’s Market initiative will launch at the Madison County Farmer’s Market (Huntsville) on June 14. The Mobile Art Lab and Lounge will be activated at the market as a space where community members can participate in artmaking – including screen-printing their own tote bags, – learn more about the Food Bank and food accessibility, or just take a moment to unwind in a vibrant atmosphere. Visitors can relax, connect with others, and engage in creative activities designed to foster wellness and community togetherness.
“We’ve been working with the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank for the past year to co-create opportunities that uplift lived experiences, reduce stigma, and affirm the dignity of participants, while also embedding art and community voice into a vital social service environment,” said Prentis Grayson, director of community partnerships for Crystal Bridges and the Momentary. “We can’t wait to expand this partnership across the region’s Farmer’s Markets and further bridge the gap between access to food and access to healing, expression, and belonging.”
Following the Madison County market, the Mobile Art Lab and Lounge will travel to the Berryville Farmer’s Market on July 14, Gravette Farmer’s Market on Aug. 16, Farmington Farmer’s Market on Sept. 13, and Siloam Springs Farmer’s Market on Oct. 11.
“We believe this unique partnership with Crystal Bridges and the Momentary will give our neighbors a fun and interactive atmosphere to enjoy themselves in a creative way while also learning about our Food Bank and the services we offer,” said Julie Damer, director of marketing and communications for the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. “Crystal Bridges and the Momentary continue to be great partners to us and we are anxious to see this vision come to life in Northwest Arkansas.”
Since 2024, Crystal Bridges and the Momentary and the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank have collected donations for those experiencing food insecurity following last year’s tornadoes, presented a community-forward dinner at the Food Bank following a conversation on wellness and unity featuring Nicholas Ma and Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, and brought together representatives from Feeding America to connect and reflect during a networking event held at the museum.
The museum’s Arts and Social Impact Accelerator Program cultivates partnerships with social service agencies and local artists in Northwest Arkansas. The partnerships incubate ideas that creatively address social issues through collaboration, arts-based solutions, and socially engaged experiences. For more information, visit the Crystal Bridges website at https://crystalbridges.org/.