In a world where we rely so heavily on screens to stay connected to work, friends and culture, it’s easy to forget the impact of experiencing things in real life – especially art. This May, we traded pixels for presence, and organized curator-led tours across three vibrant cities and some of North America’s most respected art institutions. Read on for highlights from these unforgettable art experiences.
RRFA on the Road
| Bentonville, Arkansas, USA |
Inside, we enjoyed a private tour of the museum’s collection, housed in a striking architectural complex designed by famed architect, Moshe Safdie. Built directly over water using steel cables, glass, and wood, the building itself is a work of art.
The collection spans three centuries—from Norman Rockwell, Winslow Homer, and Edward Hopper to standouts like Francis Guy’s Winter Scene in Brooklyn. Modern and contemporary highlights included Georgia O’Keeffe, Mark Rothko, Amy Sherald, Kehinde Wiley, and Nari Ward’s powerful We the People—crafted entirely from shoelaces. We also took in a vibrant KAWS exhibit, colourful floating glass orbs by Dale Chihuly, and a personal favourite: a stunning Julie Mehretu painting.
Also on site is Frank Lloyd Wright’s Bachman-Wilson House, relocated piece by piece from New Jersey—an unexpected architectural gem in the Ozark woods.
Another highlight was a private tour of the art-filled BlakeSt Club, an exclusive social space with knockout works in every medium. We were struck by ceramics from Linda Lopez, Robert Longo’s massive Swimmer (Butterfly), photographs by Zanele Muholi and Shirin Neshat, and wall sculptures by Nick Cave and Brie Ruais. The group loved Eamon Ore-Giron’s bold painting and the intricate oak relief by Daniel Dewar & Grégory Gicquel. Outdoors, a monumental kinetic sculpture by George Rickey set the perfect backdrop for cocktails.
No visit to Bentonville is complete without stopping by the original Walton’s five-and-dime—now the charming and curious Walmart Museum. Not quite contemporary art, but certainly a cultural artifact!
We rested our heads at the chic 21C Museum Hotel, where art surprises awaited around every corner. With works by Vivek Vilasini, Iwajla Klinke, Wilmer Wilson, Beverly McIver, Katinka Lampe, and many more – even our downtime was art-infused.
Bentonville surprised and delighted us all—outstanding art, architecture, conversation, and a few new friendships along the way.
RRFA x Canadian Art Hop
We were honoured to be included in the second year of the Canadian Art Hop, a nationwide celebration of artists and galleries run by the Art Dealers Association of Canada (ADAC.) Over 90 spaces participated which highlighted the diversity and creativity of the arts across Canada.
| Toronto – Private tour at The Power Plant |
Associate Director, Joanna Whitefield, assembled a dynamic group of clients, art enthusiasts, designers, and artists for a private tour of Emmanuel Osahor’s exhibition, To Dream of Other Places, at the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery. Led by Adelina Vlas, head of curatorial affairs, participants were immersed in Osahor’s lush, contemplative installation, moving through layered gardenscapes that blurred the line between refuge and reality.
The tour began with an overview of Emmanuel Osahor’s exhibition overlooking the clerestory, where a site-specific photographic work set the tone for the layered, reflective experience ahead. We moved through soft, expressive drawings and prints before stepping into the main gallery—transformed into a lush night garden filled with glowing paintings, hand-built ceramics, and quiet birdbaths.
| Montreal – Private tour at PHI Centre |
As part of our Montreal art tour, we had the privilege of visiting the PHI Centre—a multidisciplinary cultural hub at the intersection of art, film, music, and immersive experience. Our visit was warmly facilitated by Executive Director, Émilie Perring, and led by curator, Daniel Fiset, who welcomed our group for a personal, in-depth tour of Bingo—the first museum-scale solo exhibition by 2024 Sobey Art Award winner, Nico Williams.
Spread across three floors, the exhibition was as beautiful as it was meaningful. Daniel offered rare behind-the-scenes insight into the making of the show—from working closely with the artist to the logistics of bringing such an ambitious exhibition to life. We explored over 30 beadwork pieces spanning a decade of Williams’ practice, including new works, earlier pieces, and selections from his own personal collection.
Williams, an Anishinaabe artist, deftly challenges the divide between art and craft, inviting viewers to reconsider the hierarchies of Western art history. Through his work, and with Daniel’s thoughtful guidance, we experienced firsthand how those boundaries can dissolve into something much more expansive and profound.
There is something undeniably powerful about being in the physical presence of great art. If you’d like to be included on our next tour, please get in touch so you can be added to the list!
