By the Arkansas Black Vitality Staff

July 19, 2025 – Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary recently unveiled a new satellite gallery at Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA).

Located just beyond security near B gates, the gallery features a rotating lineup of works from the museum’s permanent collection. Designed as a refreshing escape from the rush of travel, the space invites visitors to pause, recharge, and connect with the power of art. Home and Away is available for free to ticketed travelers at XNA. The exhibition is open during the airport’s operational hours.

“We’re honored to partner with Crystal Bridges and the Momentary to bring this unique cultural experience into our terminal,” said Aaron Burkes, CEO of Northwest Arkansas National Airport. “This gallery reflects our commitment to creating a more vibrant, welcoming airport for the region we serve—and to offering travelers a meaningful sense of place that connects them to the spirit of Northwest Arkansas from the moment they arrive.”

The Crystal Bridges gallery debuts with Home and Away, a new exhibition organized by the museum. Featuring paintings, prints, photographs, and drawings from the collection—some on view for the very first time—the show offers a compelling look at how American artists navigate themes of place and discovery. One half of the exhibition focuses on the familiar—scenes from home, neighborhoods, and sweeping views of a storied frontier. The other half ventures outward, highlighting artists inspired by travel and distant horizons.

“We’re thrilled to extend the spirit of Crystal Bridges and the Momentary beyond our museum walls and into the rhythm of travel at XNA,” said Josie Johnson, PhD, assistant curator of modern art at Crystal Bridges and the Momentary.

“With Home and Away as the opening exhibition, this gallery offers travelers a unique opportunity to pause and engage with powerful works of art that reflect both the comforts of home and the allure of the unknown. It’s an invitation to reflect, find inspiration, and connect with the American story—right in the middle of their journey.”

Over the course of two years, the gallery will feature four rotating groupings of works, including landscapes and botanical studies; cityscapes and architectural studies; artworks centered on the artist’s own home and community; artworks inspired by the artist’s long or influential trips abroad; and self-portraits.

For more information about Home and Away, visit the museum’s website.