Source: Martha Scott, 785-532-7718, marthas@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Caitlin Muret, 785-532-6415, cmuret@k-state.edu

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

K-STATE'S BEACH MUSEUM OF ART TO HAVE CIRCUS-RELATED EXHIBITION STARTING APRIL 28

MANHATTAN -- A circus is coming to Kansas State University's Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art April 28.

"The Circus Comes to Town" is an exhibition of 21 works featuring acrobats, clowns and circus animals portrayed by American and international artists, including Kansans John Steuart Curry and Lester Raymer, French painter Georges Rouault and Indian artist Krishna Reddy. The exhibition will be on display through Sept. 8.

Curry, Raymer and Reddy were all inspired by their visits to the circus. Curry traveled with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey troupe during its 1932 season. Raymer loved circuses and carnivals as a child and often followed them from town to town in Oklahoma. Reddy took his daughter to the circus and was inspired by the color and action in the rings.

"The Circus Comes to Town" also will be the theme of summer programming at the museum, including its summer school session for USD 383 and Manhattan Parks and Recreation, and its summer ARTSmart children’s classes. Books and additional materials on the circus are available at the museum’s mobile Exploration Station, located in the galleries.

For more information, call the Beach Museum of Art at 785-532-7718 or drop by the museum on the southeast corner of the K-State campus at 14th Street and Anderson Avenue. Admission is free, and complimentary visitor parking is available next to the facility. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. The museum is closed Mondays.