Fritz Scholder (1937–2005), Eagle Fetish #4, 1974, bronze with mixed media. Art Bridges.

September 1, 2026 – August 1, 2027

To mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence (1776), the Benton presents Reframing America at 250—the second of two permanent collection rotations celebrating American art. Inspired by visitor feedback from our previous exhibition, Exploring America at 250, this display looks at the theme of transnationalism in American art from the 18^th century to the present. By showing case studies from the Benton's own collection alongside key loans from Art Bridges, the exhibition explores migration, cultural exchange, expatriate experience, and Indigenous sovereignty.

While artists have long been viewed as symbols of their respective nation-states, scholars over the last two decades have highlighted those whose lives and work straddle multiple cultures. Indeed, a single national identity does not fit many artists working in today’s globalized art world. A transnational lens also illuminates decolonial perspectives, recognizing that Indigenous territories transcend modern national borders.

The exhibition features artists who defied boundaries, including Benjamin West, James McNeill Whistler, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Max Weber, Ilse Bing, Chen Chi, Annu Palakunnathu Matthew, Enrique Chagoya, and Nicholas Galanin.