Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville opens a new exhibition Saturday featuring a lesser-known dimension of artist Keith Haring’s work.
“Keith Haring in 3D” showcases the three-dimensional sculptures and objects created by the New York artist whose bold, line-drawn figures have become iconic in pop culture. While Haring’s two-dimensional work — the dancing figures, the crawling babies, the barking dogs — appears on everything from t-shirts to murals worldwide, his sculptures remain less familiar to many audiences.
The exhibition arrives at Crystal Bridges as the Bentonville museum continues its programming focused on American artists and accessible, culturally significant works. Haring, who rose to prominence in the 1980s New York art scene, was known for his public art and community-oriented approach, often creating works in subways and on city streets before moving into galleries and museums.
His three-dimensional pieces carry the same energy as his drawings — simplified forms, bold outlines, and movement captured in static objects. The exhibition offers visitors a chance to see how Haring’s distinctive visual language translated into sculpture and dimensional art.
Crystal Bridges, located at 600 Museum Way in Bentonville, sits on 120 acres of forest and trails connected to the museum’s permanent collection. The museum opened in 2011 and has become a cultural anchor for Northwest Arkansas, drawing visitors from across the region and beyond.
The timing marks a busy season for the museum, which regularly rotates its permanent collection and hosts traveling exhibitions throughout the year. “Keith Haring in 3D” joins a lineup that includes works from the museum’s collection spanning five centuries of American art.
Haring’s work carries particular resonance for younger visitors and families, given his use of playful, accessible imagery and his commitment to making art available outside traditional museum walls. The exhibition provides an entry point for discussing art with children while offering more experienced viewers a fresh perspective on an artist whose influence remains strong decades after his death in 1990.
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, with extended hours on Thursdays. Admission to Crystal Bridges’ permanent collection is free, though some special exhibitions may require tickets.
Source: Arkansas Times
