Crystal Bridges names new director

Leader has background in American art, pop culture

By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Posted: August 17, 2009 at 11:45 a.m.

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BENTONVILLE — The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art named a new director today to lead the construction and opening of the Bentonville museum.

Founder Alice Walton announced Don Bacigalupi as the new director, replacing Bob Workman, who announced his resignation earlier this year.

Bacigalupi has been president and chief executive officer of the Toledo Museum of Art since 2003. Before that he was executive director of the San Diego Museum of Art and worked at museums in Texas.

"The opportunity to lead and help launch a major new art museum is thrilling," Bacigalupi said in a news release. "Crystal Bridges is distinguished among museums worldwide in offering an outstanding collection of American art in a beautiful natural setting."

Bacigalupi has a masters and doctorate in art history from the University of Texas in Austin and a bachelors degree in art history from the University of Houston.

He will start his new job in Bentonville in late October.

An opening for Crystal Budges has not been announced. Organizers originally planned to open the museum this year but the complex construction site has led to delays.

Founded by Wal-Mart heiress Alice Walton, the museum has been amassing a large collection of American art including portraits, landscapes and sculptures.

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