Visitors view the works of Sarah Cain at the Momentary / Courtesy photo

Three new solo exhibitions are now open at the Momentary in Bentonville. The art space first announced the new works in January with a plan to open all three in February.

Each exhibition is free to view, and no tickets are necessary.

“We’re excited to present the Momentary’s first exhibitions of 2021 with the work of these three contemporary artists,” said Lauren Haynes, director of artist initiatives and curator, contemporary art at the Momentary and Crystal Bridges. “Aligning with our mission to champion contemporary art’s role in everyday life, each of these shows bring a unique set of themes and materials to the space and encourages visitors to simply experience what they have to offer.”

Sarah Cain: In Nature

Sarah Cain: In Nature / The Momentary

Sarah Cain: In Nature opened Feb. 13 in the Lobby Gallery and runs through the end of May.

The site-specific exhibit features 10 works by Sarah Cain, including abstract works on canvas, functional floor paintings, sculpture, a repurposed dresser, and a stained-glass window.

Cain said she was inspired by the raw state of the former factory building that the Momentary occupies and the overall integration of the natural setting of the gallery experience. She wanted to create an exhibition where visitors can discover the space anew.

“I thought a lot about the vast land around the Momentary,” said Cain. “It felt particular, and it felt connected to the ruggedness of the inside. I loved the freedom of the Momentary in the sense that the possibilities felt endless.”

When touring the facility before it was repurposed, Cain asked if she could have a window in the lobby gallery that was set to be removed as part of the renovation of the former cheese factory. She used the window for a stained glass piece that fit perfectly when the window was flipped on its side.

Derrick Adams: Sanctuary

Derrick Adams: Sanctuary / The Momentary

Derrick Adams: Sanctuary opened Feb. 20 in Galleries 1 and 3 and is on view through June 6.

It was inspired by the Negro Motorist Green Book, known today as The Green Book which identified safe destinations for Black travelers.

The exhibit features collage pieces made of fabric, acrylic paint, wood, metal, paper, and plastic on wood paneling; miniature houses, known as Beacons, made of concrete, wood, paper, and light fixtures, and inspired by childhood school projects of making houses out of milk cartons; and works made of fabric, thread, leather, wood, and metal hardware that resemble car doors.

The work titled Keep Your Head Down and Your Eyes Open (2018) resembles a highway and is populated with driving caps on wheels to represent travelers in cars. Adams said the work came from recalled childhood memories of relatives and friends who visited his family in Baltimore and the clothing and accessories they donned for the journey.

Diana Al-Hadid: Ash in the Trade Winds

Diana Al-Hadid, Self Delusions, 2020, Polymer gypsum, plaster, gold leaf, steel, fiberglass, pigment, bronze and wood. 80 x 46 x 40 inches

Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Dan Bradica.

Diana Al-Hadid: Ash in the Trade Winds opened Feb. 27 in Gallery 2 and runs through June 13.

It draws inspiration from literature, architecture, and art history, and will features several sculptural works and wall panels from the Syrian American artist.

“Diana’s ability to weave the past into our contemporary moment, combined with her unwavering commitment to expanding the formal possibilities of architectural materials is a fitting balance for a space like the Momentary,” said Kaitlin Garcia-Maestas, who curated the exhibit. “Ash in the Trade Winds encourages slow looking. Diana interprets her references through approximations, or her memories of things she’s read, works she’s seen, etc. and reimagines them into new forms, giving them new life and purpose for her audience to contemplate.”