America 250: Common Threads Exhibition Gallery

In 2026, the United States will mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. America 250: Common Threads will both commemorate the events of 1776 and reflect on 250 years of American art and civic participation. An early engraving of the Declaration of Independence will anchor a group of historic documents displayed alongside textiles, paintings, toys, and other works from 1776 to the present. The exhibition considers how artists and national leaders document American history. America 250: Common Threads explores how American artists historically foster civic participation and strengthen community relationships.  

Visitors will experience how people have celebrated national and personal moments in history, from a display of hundreds of 20th century patriotic snapshots to souvenirs collected from America’s Centennial in 1876. The exhibition explores the symbols artists turn to when celebrating or commenting on the United States: George Washington’s many faces, eagles appearing across books, baskets, and coverlets, flags seen as quilts or as documentation of the moon landing, and more. Contemporary artists featured in the exhibition, such as Robert Colescott, Kay WalkingStick, and Howard Finster, continue to revisit national symbols and explore their resonance.  

The exhibition will also feature live quilting, as local quilters and quilting guilds work in the galleries to piece quilt squares made by K-12 students across Arkansas and designed by artist Basil Kincaid.