Published: 5 June, 2010
Alice Walton: More Than Just an Heiress
Alice Walton is an heir to the Walton family wealth, and is one of the wealthiest people in the world. Her enthusiasm in creating the Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas showcases her commitment to being more than just an heiress. The museum will be unique to the northwest region of Arkansas. It houses such famous paintings as Kindred Spirits, an Asher B. Durand landscape from 1849 that portrays Thomas Cole and William Cullen Bryant. This artwork is from the Walton family collection, and was purchased at a staggering price of $35 million.
Alice Walton envisioned the museum having permanent and temporary art exhibitions, a large indoor auditorium, gardens, and large wooded areas. It has over 100,000 square feet of space for art galleries, and will play a key role in making northwest Arkansas a major travel destination for people who are interested in art.
Alice Walton's other important project, which she has undertaken jointly with the Walton Family Foundation, is Camp War Eagle. This is a Christian summer camp for children between the ages of seven and 17. It selects underprivileged children based on their merits and other factors, and offers them a summer camp experience on the shores of beautiful Beaver Lake. Activities at the camp include wake boarding, hip-hop dance, woodworking, volleyball, archery, sailing, nature study and conservation, swimming, horsemanship, pottery, cheerleading, skateboarding, rock climbing, candle making, basketball, stained glass, water slides, and ropes course.
While the camp is a two week affair of fun and learning, it continues to hold meetings throughout the year for campers, so they can stay in touch with the fun that they have during the two weeks of camp. The children are selected to attend camp using factors like grades in school and community service. Thanks to Alice Walton's vision and generosity, these children can attend the summer camp without paying a dime.
Tags: museum, Alice Walton
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