Knowing the West

Knowing the West is a travelling exhibition that embraces and examines perceptions of the American West to be more inclusive, complex, and reflective of the diverse peoples who contributed to art and life in and about the West.

Americans often feel they “know the West,” whether informed by direct experience or popular culture. Visions of landscapes and people tangle with ideas of conflict, freedom, and nostalgia. Knowing the West embraces preexisting impressions of the American West and presents a wide variety of artwork from diverse makers from the 19th to early 20th centuries to add richness to what is often a flattened and simplified view of the American West.

Knowing the West is organized by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, and co-curated by Mindy N. Besaw and Jami C. Powell with influence and input from a curatorial advisory council.

Image:
Nellie Two Bear Gates (Iháƞktȟuƞwaƞna Dakhóta, Standing Rock Reservation, 1854 – 1935), Suitcase, 1880 – 1910, bead, hide, oilcloth, thread, 12 1/2 in. x 17 11/16 in. x 10 1/4 in., Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, MN. The Robert J. Ulrich Works of Art Purchase Fund. Photo: Minneapolis Institute of Art.

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Cummer Connects: Embracing Our World Together
Saturday, April 19
Free with Museum Admission | All Ages
Some Registration Required

Join us for a day of art, music, stories, dance, and immersive experiences with a variety of community partners. Explore the beauty and significance of the outdoors through the Knowing the West exhibition and the Cummer Gardens and deepen your connection to nature. Let’s come together to honor our planet, northeast Florida, and our people.

Knowing the West Curator Talk
Tuesday, April 22
7 to 8 p.m. Members $5, Future Members $25

Join Mindy N. Besaw, Ph.D., exhibition co-curator and curator of American Art at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, for a deep dive into the exhibition, Knowing the West, and get to know some of the hidden stories behind the art and the West. Knowing the West is the first major traveling exhibition to embrace and examine how people see the American West. This program promises to provide attendees with a unique perspective on the creative processes behind exhibitions, the selection of artworks, and the narratives that emerge from them. Dr. Besaw will share insights into the curatorial process, discuss the significance of the artworks on display, and explore the complex and multifaceted history of the American West.
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Make & Take: Sweetgrass and Indigo: Gullah Geechee Inspired Art with Anastatia Ketchen
Tuesday, May 27
5 to 7 p.m. Members $35, Future Members $45
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Learn the history of the Sweetgrass basket through a demonstration. Together we will create your own original Art piece using natural resources and shades of Indigo inspired by one of the oldest African traditions preserved within the Gullah Geechee Nation
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Summer at the Cummer

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Explore the timeless craft of weaving as the skilled members of Jacksonville Weavers’ Guild work on their looms and spinning wheels. Experience the craft and try weaving yourself.

Gullah Geechee Cultural Experience with Anastatia Ketchen
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Cowboy Cocktails: Recipes Inspired by the American West
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Make & Take: Bead and Leather Bracelet Making
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Ages 12+ | Materials Included

Explore Native American artistry through bead and leather bracelet making. In this session, you’ll learn beading techniques and work with a leather cord to create a unique, handcrafted Native American-inspired bracelet.
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Native Cuisine Workshop with Saturiwa Trading Co.
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11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Members $40, Future Members $55
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Make & Take: Fabric Collage Landscape with Jacksonville Modern Quilt Guild
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5 to 7 p.m. Members $35, Future Members $50
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Create your own unique fabric landscape! In this hands-on workshop, JAXMQG members will guide you in designing a beautiful desert-inspired scene using pre-fused fabrics. After building your landscape, you’ll have the chance to elevate your piece with beading, hand embroidery, or quilting, adding intricate details that bring your vision to life. Whether you’re an experienced crafter or just starting out, this workshop offers a wonderful way to explore fabric collage in a relaxed, creative environment.
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Artful Storytime
Third Thursday
11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

• Our Community Inspired by Our Museum as a Community Place Thursday, April 17, 2025
• Forest Inspired by Knowing the West and the Cummer Gardens Thursday, May 15, 2025
• Native American Tales Inspired by Knowing the West Thursday, June 19, 2025
• Animals Inspired by Knowing the West Thursday, July 17, 2025

Art Adventures – Youth Workshops
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Watercolor Techniques
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  Ages 7 to 11
• Reed Basket Weaving
  Saturday, July 19
  Ages 7 to 11

Hand Built Clay Workshop with Artist Sonia Nowak-Vera
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• July 13, 20, 27 Design & Form
• August 17, 31 Decorate & Glaze