Crystal Bridges Art Fair 2026 being held first weekend in October
Crystal Bridges has announced the artists who will participate in the 2026 Art Fair, taking place on October 3 and October 4, 2026, at Heartland Whole Health Institute on the Crystal Bridges Campus in Bentonville, AR. More than 80 artists from across the country have been selected, with seven teen artists and seven collegiate artists for the new collegiate artist showcase.
Participating artists in this year’s Art Fair include Peter Crane, Abigail Henthorne, Richard Ryan of Vitreous Matter Glass Studio, Laura Fortune, John Dyas of John Dyas Pottery, and James LaCasse of LaCasse Studios. 80 additional artists showcasing ceramics, painting, jewelry, glass, sculpture, textiles, wood, photography, mixed media, and more. A full list of participating artists can be found here.
In addition to showcasing artists from across the country, the 2026 Art Fair will offer new opportunities for artists and guests to connect. Artists are invited to kick off the weekend at a Friday Artist Mingle, and visitors can enjoy exclusive early access with a First Look on Saturday, October 3, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. First Look ticket holders will have the opportunity to explore before the fair opens to the public and engage with artists. Throughout the weekend, Artists Spotlights will feature live demonstrations and brief talks, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at artists’ creative processes and the inspiration behind their work.
The Art Fair brings together artists, collectors, and art enthusiasts from across the country, creating meaningful connections that often extend well beyond the weekend. Reian Williams, the 2025 People’s Choice Award winner, said the experience has had a lasting impact on his career.
“Participating in the Crystal Bridges Art Fair has been a meaningful milestone in my career,” Williams said. “It has provided the opportunity to connect with serious collectors and fellow artists. Those conversations have been just as rewarding as the sales, often leading to lasting relationships that continue well beyond the event itself.”
The Art Fair is free and open to the public. Tickets for the First Look and additional event information, including the full artist lineup and schedule, are available here.
About Crystal Bridges
The mission of Crystal Bridges is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Since opening in 2011, the museum has welcomed more than 15 million visitors across its spaces, with no cost for admission. Crystal Bridges was founded in 2005 as a public 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization by philanthropist Alice Walton. The collection spans five centuries of American masterworks from early American to current day and is enhanced by temporary exhibitions.
The museum is nestled on 134 acres of Ozark landscape and was designed by the world-renowned Safdie Architects. A rare Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house was preserved and relocated to the museum grounds in 2015. Crystal Bridges offers public programs including lectures, performances, classes, and teacher development opportunities, and is the home of the prestigious Don Tyson Prize for the Advancement of American Art and Tyson Scholars of American Art Program. Some 558,375 school children have participated in the Willard and Pat Walker School Visit program, which provides educational experiences for school groups at no cost to the schools.
Additional museum amenities include a restaurant, gift store, library, and five miles of art and walking trails. In February 2020, the museum opened the Momentary in Downtown Bentonville (507 SE E Street), a venue for the music, art, and food of our time. Crystal Bridges’ 114,000 square foot expansion opened to the public June 6 and 7, 2026, allowing the museum to expand access for all. For more information, visit CrystalBridges.org. The museum is located at 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712.
