Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville is set to open a new exhibition this weekend that highlights the beloved folk artist Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better known as Grandma Moses. Titled “Grandma Moses: A Good Day’s Work,” the show will be on view beginning Saturday, Sept. 12, and will run through March 29, 2027.
More than 100 works on display
The exhibition features more than 100 pieces spanning the artist’s prolific career. Moses began painting in her late 70s, and by age 80 she held her first solo show in 1940. Her canvases capture the rhythms of farm life, holiday celebrations, family gatherings, and the close‑knit rural communities she knew so well.
Why the exhibit matters
Assistant curator of modern art Josie Johnson says the show offers a welcome pause from today’s relentless digital pace. “A lot of times we’re a little overwhelmed with our modern technology, and we want to go back to a time where we’re not staring at a screen,” Johnson explained. Visitors can step into a world of simple, joyful scenes that remind us of the value of hard work, family, and faith‑filled community.
Highlights from the collection
Among the works on view, Jane Kallir, president of the Kallir Research Institute in New York City, points to “Joy Ride” as a pivotal piece. “‘Joy Ride,’ which is the painting of Grandma Moses that made her famous, is a joyful celebration of the winter holidays,” Kallir said.
The exhibition also includes a variety of paintings, sketches, and other artwork that illustrate Moses’s evolution from a farmer’s wife to one of America’s most cherished artists. Each piece reflects her deep connection to the land, her family, and the traditions that shaped her community.
Practical information
“Grandma Moses: A Good Day’s Work” will be on display at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, located at 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, Arkansas. Tickets and additional details are available on the museum’s website. The museum encourages families, seniors, and anyone seeking a peaceful cultural experience to attend.
By celebrating Grandma Moses’s legacy, Crystal Bridges continues its mission to bring world‑class art to the heart of Arkansas, enriching the cultural life of Bentonville and the surrounding region.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
