The Block Museum of Art at Northwestern University is proud to announce the national tour of it takes a long time to stay here: Paintings by Jordan Ann Craig, the largest institutional exhibition to date of the artist’s work. The exhibition will open at its first touring venue, Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane University in New Orleans, from August 14, 2025, through January 16, 2026, and is expected to travel to multiple other venues through 2027.

The national tour is made possible through the generous support of Art Bridges, which partners with museums across the country to expand access to American art through traveling exhibitions, collection sharing, and innovative programming.

Originally organized by The Block Museum of Art, it takes a long time to stay here brings together seven of Craig’s monumental abstract paintings, shown together for the first time. Known for her vibrant use of color, intricate geometric compositions, and deep engagement with Indigenous visual traditions, Craig (Northern Cheyenne) draws inspiration from Indigenous design forms and the landscape of the Southwestern United States, where she lives and works.

The exhibition’s title, taken from the poem spinning air by m.s. RedCherries (Northern Cheyenne), evokes themes of reflection, grounding, and the unfolding of meaning over time. As Craig’s enigmatic titles and intricate surfaces invite contemplation, viewers are encouraged to slow down and experience the meditative power of abstraction.

Jordan Ann Craig’s artistic practice is informed by her study of museum collections and archives, where she engages with traditional Indigenous media such as beadwork, pottery, and textiles. Her work bridges the historical and the contemporary, offering a bold visual language that speaks across time and cultures.

At Northwestern, this exhibition served as a powerful site for interdisciplinary dialogue—engaging students, faculty, and community members in conversations around Indigenous knowledge and artistic practices, said Lisa Corrin, Ellen Philips Katz Director of The Block Museum of Art. “We are honored to share it takes a long time to stay here with new audiences across the country and grateful to Art Bridges for supporting this opportunity to deepen understanding and connection through Jordan Ann Craig’s work.”

As part of Northwestern University, The Block is committed to supporting the University’s work to strengthen its relationships with Native American and Indigenous nations, communities, and organizations. This commitment is reflected in the museum’s efforts to deepen engagement with Indigenous art and artists through the collection, exhibitions, programs, practices, and learning—including an ongoing partnership with the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research (CNAIR) and the recent exhibition Woven Being: Art for Zhegagoynak/Chicagoland, which foregrounded Chicagoland as a vital center for Indigenous art, past and present.

The exhibition at The Newcomb Art Museum, located within Tulane’s Woldenberg Art Center, will be accompanied by a range of public programs that reflect the museum’s commitment to socially engaged art and cross-disciplinary inquiry. it takes a long time to stay here will be presented concurrently with the exhibition Poetic Gaps: Opacity in the Photographic Imprint, which presents artwork from the Newcomb Art Museum’s extensive collection alongside works by artists immersed in the New Orleans art scene. Taking inspiration from the Martinican poet and philosopher Édouard Glissant, the exhibition highlights artwork that pushes against the boundaries of the traditional photographic medium.

 Both exhibitions reflect Newcomb Art Museum’s commitment to paying tribute to the creative legacy of Newcomb College through shows that recognize women’s contributions in the fields of art and design. 

Additional tour venues and dates for it takes a long time to stay here will be announced in the coming months.

About Art Bridges Foundation

Art Bridges Foundation is the vision of philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton. Founded in 2017, Art Bridges creates and supports projects that share works of American art with communities across the United States and its territories. Art Bridges partners with a growing network of over 250 museums of all sizes—impacting more than 20 million people nationwide—to provide financial and strategic support for exhibitions, collection loans, and programs designed to educate, inspire, and deepen engagement with local communities. The Art Bridges Collection represents an expanding vision of American art from the 19th century to present day and encompasses multiple media and voices. For more information, visit artbridgesfoundation.org.