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First-ever
juried alumni exhibit opens at WSU
By
Julie Rausch and Lisa Fleetwood
The
works of 63 artists from 19 states will be shown Dec. 1-Jan. 27
in the "Wichita State University Alumni Exhibition" at
the Ulrich Museum of Art.
This
first-ever juried exhibition – the art was selected by Charles
Steiner, director of the Wichita Art Museum – honors the achievements
of many distinguished artists WSU has produced.
The
museum received 410 slide entries from 147 artists nationally and
internationally, says Kevin Mullins, Ulrich Museum curator of exhibitions.
"With
space for fewer than 100 works, this number of entries made the
juror’s job very tough," Mullins says.
Works
were selected by a blind process, meaning the artists’ names
were not revealed. Eighty-seven works were accepted.
Merit
awards will be presented the evening of the opening to 12 artists
with prizes of between $250-$2,500 underwritten by 12 local businesses,
foundations or individuals.
The
university’s art program began in 1901 when Elizabeth Sprague
taught drawing and painting classes for students attending Fairmount
College. Due to the long-standing strength of the faculty, a very
strong School of Art and Design has emerged at Wichita State University,
says Donald Byrum, School of Art and Design chair.
"The
show takes on particular importance because of the collective reputations
of the exhibitors," says Byrum.
"I
see this alumni show as a way to spotlight this very long distinguished
tradition of teaching art and design at Wichita State," says
David Butler, Ulrich Museum director. "The art you’ll
see runs the gamut, traditional to edgy."
The
idea of doing an alumni exhibition was proposed by the Ulrich Museum
Alliance board, a community support group, and spearheaded by the
president Diane Curtis and board member Judy Higdon as a way to
strengthen ties with the School of Art and Design and to re-engage
alumni.
The
free, public opening reception is 3:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec.
1. An hors d’oeuvres buffet will be held from 6-8 p.m. Dec.
1, with an awards presentation at 6:30 p.m., at the Wichita Country
Club. Tickets are $35 per ticket; please call 978-3290.
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