John Bell, Jr. Exhibit

What: John Bell, Jr. Exhibition A Painted Legacy Exhibition Opening
Where: Fort Smith Museum of History
When: Opening night is Tuesday February 24 @ 6:00 pm (Exhibition runs 2/24/2026 thru 5/16/2026)
Cost: Free.

Please RSVP to fortsmithmuseum.org Honoring the enduring vision of John Bell, Jr., the Fort Smith Museum of History is privileged to present the inaugural and complete showing of John Bell, Jr.: A Painted Legacy. On view in the FSMH Boyd Gallery, the exhibition opens Tuesday, January 24, 2026, at 6:00 pm with a guest speaker and light hors d’oeuvres, and invites visitors to experience Bell’s remarkable body of work through Saturday, May 16, 2026. John Bell, Jr. (1937-2013) was an acclaimed painter and sculptor whose career spanned nearly 50 years. Suffering low blood oxygen at birth resulted in cerebral palsy and the artist spending his life in a wheelchair. Bell also had limited use of his upper extremities, especially his right hand. Bell spent his time developing his skills as an artist and overcoming the perceptual bias that faced people with physical challenges. Through his life-long advocacy, Bell helped raise awareness of accessibility issues across the country. This exhibition features reproductions of the most iconic Bell paintings, which are housed in public and private collections. Included in the exhibition is the famous U.S. Marshals Series, as well as his captivating images of beautiful churches and historically accurate buildings set against the Old West. “Bell’s activism was part of who he was and what made living in this region better. His art though, would enhance all our lives and create his lasting legacy.” – Bill Kropp, III This exhibition made possible through a grant from the Walter O. Caldwell Foundation. John Bell, Jr. Legacy Project provided by RAM.