February 1, 2018
Craig among artists awarded medical school art commission
Geraldine Craig, professor of art and associate dean in the Graduate School, has been awarded a commission with Nelson Smith to create a new work of art for the University of Kansas Medical Center, Salina campus.
The 28-feet-long mixed media wall work titled "Pulse" has rootedness as an important central concept. They plan to incorporate old sewing patterns from the community into the work, layered to build up a surface that suggests the architecture of the body. It also refers to soil and life underground, conceived as embedding collective roots and community spirit in the work. The panels of layered patterns will be interspersed with painted panels and poetry text panels burned into silk organza. Their proposal was selected from a national competition in fall 2017.
The artists are working with two community nonprofits to host pattern donation events Friday, Feb. 2. From 2-4:30 p.m. donations can be dropped off at the Birger Sandzen Gallery in 401 N. First St., Lindsborg; or 5:30-7 p.m. at the Salina Art Center, 242 S. Santa Fe Ave., Salina. Pattern donations may also be mailed to 314 N. First St., Lindsborg, 67456. Email Craig at gkcraig@k-state.edu or text a message to 785-539-6785 to arrange a time to pick up donations.
The artists promise to use something from everyone's pattern donation, if received by March 1. The artwork "Pulse" will be installed in mid-June as part of the grand opening of the new medical school facility that will train doctors and nurses to practice in rural Kansas.
Questions can be directed to Craig at gkcraig@k-state.edu.