The Fort Smith Museum of History will open two new exhibitions on May 15. 'The Art of the Brick' features large-scale sculptures by contemporary artist Nathan Sawaya, built entirely from LEGO bricks, while 'The Art of Native American Basketry' showcases a collection of woven baskets from regional tribes.
These exhibitions represent a significant programming shift for the institution, blending popular contemporary art with regional cultural heritage to attract broader audiences. The LEGO exhibition, in particular, is a major touring show that brings a globally recognized artist's work to a regional museum, demonstrating an effort to balance blockbuster appeal with local historical relevance.