This exhibition at Signs of Life Gallery will offer a colorful, insightful overview of Kansas history and culture, and feature artwork by five distinct artists who use sculpture, painting, printmaking, photography, and drawing to express their thoughts, ideas and observations of Kansans and their history.
Taking its title from an influential essay on Kansas history written in 1910 by Carl Becker, Dear Old Kansas, on view March 31May 27 at the gallery, celebrates what Becker described as the peculiar attachment Kansans have for their state and its history: ": Kansas is no mere geographical expression, but a "state of mind," a religion, and a philosophy in one."
Dear Old Kansas brings together some of Kansas' most celebrated artists, including sculptor Jim Brothers, photographer Bill Snead, and "crop artist" Stan Herd. The show also highlights the talents of John Hendrix, a University of Kansas alum and renowned illustrator and graphic designer, and Justin Marable, an emerging artist who works in photography and printmaking.
"The show will offer views of Kansas history architectural, cultural, social, and natural through the lens of art," said James Schaefer, gallery director.
Dear Old Kansas opens with a free, public reception 7:00 p.m.10:00 p.m. Friday, March 31 and will be on view until May 27. Please also see community events listed below:
* Monday, May 1, 7:30 p.m.: Writer Thomas Fox Averill will give a gallery talk and speak of the visual aspect of Kansas in his work and that of contemporary Kansas writers, and relate the discussion to the art in the exhibition. Averill is writer-in-residence and professor of English at Washburn University, Topeka, and has published several books, including Secrets of the Tsil Cafe, and is editor of What Kansas Means to Me: Twentieth Century Writers on the Sunflower State. He also helped found and was the first director of the Washburn Center for Kansas Studies.
* Thursday , May 25, 7:30 p.m.: In conjunction with Dear Old Kansas, Signs of Life's regular lecture series The Public House has invited Smokey McKinney, who grew up on the Kansas Potawatomi reservation, to read from his autobiographical essay, "Kansas Came Late." The essay was named among the top 100 notable essays of 1998 by Best American Essays.
Signs of Life Gallery also invites the public to view new works by featured artists Kim Casebeer, Terence Koehn, Joan Parker and Deb Schroer. The gallery also offers an informative Web site, www.signsoflifegallery.com, where visitors can download MP3 tours of the gallery and listen to online video interviews with various artists.
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buck (Buck Rowland) says...
From the eyes to the heart! The old-timers' work still holds true and demonstrates their well earned reputations are worthy. Justin Marable's work is perfect in the mix. His vision and heart shine through his work, like a long lived old soul. Whether you are from Kansas and have lived the changes occuring around us or think Kansas is the highway from Lawrence to your favorite KC/Johnson county digs or the airport, this is a must see. You can hear the heart of Kansas beating as you take in Marable's work.
May 4, 2006 at 12:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )