Source: Kathrine Schlageck, 785-532-7718, klwalk@k-state.edu
Photo available. Download at http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/may11/88daysart.jpg and http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/may11/88daysart2.jpg
Website: http://beach.ksu.edu
News release prepared by: Beth Bohn, 785-532-2535, bbohn@k-state.edu

Monday, May 16, 2011

ARTFUL JOURNEY: SUMMER BEACH EXHIBITION TAKES VISITORS 'AROUND THE WORLD IN 88 DAYS'

MANHATTAN -- Summer is vacation time, and Kansas State University's Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art is ready to take visitors on a journey around the world through art.

The museum's next exhibition, "Around the World in 88 Days: Selections from the Permanent Collection," opens June 1 in the Donna Lindsay Vanier Gallery and runs 88 days through Aug. 28. It is free and open to the public.

"From a statue of Buddha from the 18th century to an Inuit stone print by Lucy Qinnuayuak, 1915-1982, the works in this exhibition from the museum's permanent and study collections let visitors travel the world with a group of international artists," said Kathrine Schlageck, senior educator at the Beach Museum and the exhibition's organizer. "This visual journey will include ceremonial masks from Africa, Chinese ivories, ceramic pieces by Pablo Picasso and New Mexican pueblo potter Maria Montoya Martinez, a statue of a dancing Shiva and prints by Japanese artist Utagawa Hiroshige, 1797-1858."

The exhibition is unusual, Schlageck said, as most of the works included don't really fit with the museum's current collection policies, which focus on the significant art of Kansas and the region.

"Many of these works were donated to the museum's permanent collection before the university established a collection focus and policy," Schlageck said. "This exhibition is a chance to experience some of international treasures that K-State has."

The works span the world and centuries. Pieces includes the etching "Bust of a Man" from 17th-century Holland, Renoir's etching on paper "La Danse a la Campagne" from late 19th-century France, to Xian shadow puppets of the late 20th-century China.

A summer kick-off open house in conjunction with the exhibition will be 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 11. The free event, suitable for the whole family, includes projects and refreshments. Participants will be able to make passport that they can use while attending ARTSmart summer classes at the museum or for visits on their own. The ARTSmart summer schedule is online at http://beach.k-state.edu/education/111/programs.

Schlageck said the exhibition compliments the Kansas Library Association's summer reading program, "One World, Many Stories."

More information about the "Around the World in 88 Days" exhibition and connected ARTSmart summer classes is available by contacting Schlageck at 785-532-7718 or dropping by the museum on the southeast corner of the K-State 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. Sundays. The museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.