The School of Art in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences presents the student-led interdisciplinary artists' collective, Collective 217, debuting at the Momentary April 11 from 6 to 10 p.m. in the Big Red Barn.

Collective 217 was founded this spring in the arts entrepreneurship classes at the Studio and Design Center in Fayetteville. Based in nostalgia and the dynamics of relationship-building, the collective explores art as a living process that thrives beyond traditional structures and embraces experimentation in all forms.

Cynthia Post Hunt is the curator of performance at Crystal Bridges and the Momentary, and she organizes the artist-in-residence program. The artist-in-residence program supports artists in both the exploration of new frontiers and in the creation of new work. The Momentary invites artists working across disciplines to Bentonville to work alongside a world-class support team of producers, preparators and curators as they explore, experiment, research and develop new work. 

Collective 217 is one of the artists-in-residence at the Momentary. Hunt has been instrumental in their mentorship. Friday's event will showcase visual art, performance, sound and film, and a spirit of exchange that invites participation and challenges conventional ways of experiencing art.

"We are excited to welcome Collective 217 into the program," Hunt said. "Their curiosity and creativity have made this interdisciplinary collaboration a particularly wonderful experience. I am thrilled to welcome Northwest Arkansas to the Momentary to see the work come to life!"

Blurring the lines between visual art, performance and communal experience, Collective 217 engages with nontraditional methods that invite participation and challenge conventional ways of experiencing art. Music and rhythm serve as connective threads, weaving movement, storytelling and improvisation into immersive activations where meaning is developed collectively rather than dictated.

"Exploring the concept of a shared meal and interactive installation, the cohort aims to foster deep connections," said Allison Overton, student and Collective 217 member. "We look to honor the importance of exchange, whether in ideas, stories or tangible objects, while drawing inspiration from memory, artifacts and the cycles of growth that shape us."

Collective 217 describes both creators and attendees as part of the experience and thus, part of the collective. By combining tangible and intangible elements, Collective 217 exhibits the beauty found in bringing people from all different backgrounds together to create an atmosphere filled with intention, encouragement and reception.

Through this lens of inclusion and co-creation, their debut at the Momentary will not just be an exhibition but an ongoing conversation and a moment to be experienced.

"The School of Art and the Momentary partnership continues to have tremendous impact on learning outcomes and these emergent artists' ability to connect with the region," said Adrienne Callander, associate professor of art and entrepreneurship. "We look forward to showcasing the students' work through this incredible collaboration while interacting with the Northwest Arkansas community."

This event is free and open to the public, and will be held Friday, April 11, from 6 to 10 p.m., as well as Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

About the Momentary: Opened in February of 2020 in Downtown Bentonville, the Momentary is a venue for the music, art and food of our time; and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a "living room" where community gathers to be inspired, connected and joyful. The Momentary was founded by the Walton family, based on the vision of Tom, Olivia and Steuart Walton. Its commitment to cultivating arts and cultural experiences provides more opportunities for education, engagement and enjoyment in our region. The Momentary is an extension of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, founded by Alice Walton. The Momentary welcomes all with free general admission. Additional offerings include live music, visual and performing arts, an artist-in-residence program, culinary experiences such as Onyx Coffee Lab and the sky-high Tower Bar, indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, an outdoor festival space and a retail shop. For more information, visit theMomentary.org. The Momentary is located at 507 SE E Street, Bentonville, Arkansas, 72712. The Momentary's Founding Funders are Walton Family Foundation, Walmart, RØDE Microphones, The Coca-Cola Company, Tyson Family Foundation, and Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation.