October 22, 2012
Making sense of art: Beach Museum of Art open house encourages visitors to experience art through touch and other senses
Submitted by Communications and Marketing
The Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art at Kansas State University wants visitors to gain a real feel for art through a truly hands-on event.
At the Art Beyond Sight Open House from 1:30-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, visitors will be invited to explore the Beach Museum with their senses, including touch. The open house is free and is part of national Art Beyond Sight Awareness Month activities.
Kathrine Schlageck, the museum's senior educator, said several stations will be available to allow visitors to investigate artwork in ways that will be fun for all.
"We are providing opportunities to examine small details in selected artworks with assistive devices, verbal imaging descriptions of selected artworks, and hands-on activities that demystify art media," Schlageck said.
Here's a look at some of the fun ways to let your senses discover art at the open house:
* At the Touch Station, explore the sculpture of the museum's namesake, Marianna Kistler Beach, and "Konza" by John Powers, a large-scale kinetic sculpture that mimics the natural beauty and movement of the nearby Konza Prairie.
* The Visual Description Station includes touchables and manipulatives to experience art. Works will include John Vogt's table sculpture, Alan Shields' "The Worm has Many Hearts" and Birger Sandzen's "Poplars by Moonlight."
Different art media also will be available to explore in the museum's auditorium.
For more information, contact 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. Free visitor parking is available next to the building. Museum admission is free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. The museum is closed on Mondays.