Source: Martha Scott, 785-532-7718, marthas@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Andrew North, 785-532-7718, anorth@k-state.edu

Monday, Aug. 2, 2010

NEW EXHIBITION AT K-STATE'S BEACH MUSEUM OF ART HONORS EARLY LEADERS IN KANSAS ART EDUCATION

MANHATTAN -- An exhibition exploring the historical roots of art education in Kansas will be on display Aug. 18-Dec. 19 in the Vanier Gallery at Kansas State University's Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art.

"Artist, Teacher, Mentor: Early Leaders in Kansas Art Education" features works by Kansas artists who have served as teachers and mentors. All of the works are from the Beach Museum of Art's permanent collection.

Artists featured include Birger Sandzen, William Dickerson, Robert Sudlow, Sue Jean Covacevich, Mary Huntoon, Oscar Larmer, Lester Raymer, John Helm, Norman Eppink, Raymond Eastwood and more.

"These artists have been the inspiration for many Kansas art teachers and professors today. Each of these featured artists balanced teaching and mentoring with their own successful careers," said Kathrine Schlageck, senior educator at the Beach Museum and curator of the exhibition.

Women played a large role early in Kansas art education, serving as the founders and first teachers at many of the state's colleges and universities, Schlageck said. Also playing a role were the Kansas Federation of Women's Clubs, which promoted art from its founding in 1895; the Kansas Art Association, founded in Lawrence in 1907; and the Smoky Hill Art Club, founded in Lindsborg in 1913.

The exhibition will have a special comment book so visitors can share memories of their favorite art teachers. In addition, labels that read "Artist, Teacher, Mentor" will identify works by other artist-mentors not included in the exhibition but which are on display in the Beach Museum's galleries.

The exhibition is collaboration with the museum, the K-State art education program and the Kansas Art Education Association, which will have its fall conference Oct. 14-16 in Manhattan.

More information is available by contacting Martha Scott at 785-532-7718 or dropping by the museum on the southeast corner of campus at 14th Street and Anderson Avenue. Free visitor parking is available next to the building. Normal museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.