Wichita State News: Ulrich Museum

Education intern connects people to art at Ulrich Museum

Art history major Loryn Leonard interns with the Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University, nurturing her passion for art and education.

She began her college career in Texas as an art education major and was required to take a three-dimensional studio art class.

"I took metalsmithing and became riveted with it ever since," she said.

In metalsmithing, she worked with nonferrous metals such as copper, brass, silver and gold, and used traditional craftsman techniques to create contemporary art forms.

"Metalsmithing is an art form that is delicate and difficult," she said, "so if there is anything that I have gained, it is patience."

Leonard received her Bachelor of Fine Art in metalsmithing and jewelry from the University of North Texas in 2007.

Leonard is at WSU pursuing her second undergraduate degree in art history.

"I felt apprehensive about continuing my education in metalsmithing," she said. "Although (it) is my passion, I decided to focus on the academic side of the art spectrum."

She is trying to encompass the entire art history spectrum in her studies.

"Art history has always fascinated me," Leonard said. "I believe that art history is intertwined with a society's socio-cultural background."

But her favorite aspect is learning about the different methodologies in art, how they're applied to socio-cultural beliefs and how art is a reflection of those ideals.

"Researching artists that are new to me is like discovering an ancient relic," she said. "It's exciting to learn how the artist was influenced by his or her surroundings or how the art itself impacted their culture."

Leonard is also participating in a medieval and renaissance certificate program, which is similar to working on a thesis. She must research and present a topic to a board to receive her certification.

And she is trying to start a contemporary arts society for WSU students to raise awareness of current art events and to promote professional practice.

Leonard began an internship with the Ulrich Museum in July working with Aimee Geist, the curator of education and Teresa Veazey.

Her responsibilities include researching artists, guiding tours, advocating for student membership, assisting in education marketing and preparing museum events.

"Interns like Loryn are invaluable," Veazey said. "They're always willing to help out with museum tours, artists' lectures, opening parties, anything and everything that happens at the museum."

"My favorite part of my job, and I joke with (my boss) about this, is taking the golf cart out on errands," Leonard said.

But truthfully, Leonard said she enjoys leading tours and being the bridge from the art to the viewer.

Interning with the Ulrich Museum will prepare her well for a future career coordinating the education department of a museum.

"Being an education intern has provided me with invaluable experiences," she said. "I get a behind the scenes glance at the internal clockwork of a museum."

The education curator takes an exhibition and creates various activities and events that comply with the art, she said, essentially connecting people with art.

"Loryn wants to work in an art museum when she graduates from WSU, and nothing will look better on her resume than a year's experience working at the Ulrich," Veazey said.

After she receives her undergraduate degree, Leonard plans to attend graduate school in 2011, write books about her research and possibly teach art history in the process.

In her spare time, she reads and continues to work on metalsmithing in her make-shift basement studio to keep her skills fine-tuned.

WSU faculty shows its artistry

The 17th faculty exhibit at Wichita State University gives art enthusiasts a rare opportunity to view the works of professional artists who don't often show their work in Wichita.

And those artists bring diversity and innovation to the show, often using new techniques described as revolutionary by Patricia McDonnell, director of the Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University.

"This exhibit has developed such a following, and the city has really come to embrace and love this exhibition," McDonnell said. "All of the artists bring with them their own fan club."

Read full story.

WSU College of Fine Arts has short but sweet December

It's a short month for the College of Fine Arts at Wichita State University, but December offers an event-packed first two weeks.

The month gets off to a jazzy start in the School of Performing Arts with the WSU Concert Band and Jazz Arts II, followed by the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and then the WSU Symphony Holiday Pops Concert.

Lynne Davis

Lynne Davis will reprise Wednesdays in Wiedemann, after a November break. The Wednesday concerts are half-hour, after-work concerts on the Marcussen organ in Wiedemann Recital Hall by Davis, the Ann and Dennis Ross Endowed Faculty of Distinction in Organ.

From the School of Art and Design, the thesis work of WSU's master of fine arts candidates Amber Stene and Nick Meyer-Hessler will be showcased at the Ulrich Museum of Art, along with current exhibitions.

Tom Wine

Then there's the always popular annual Candlelight Christmas Concert, which brings out the best in all participants as Wiedemann Recital Hall sparkles along with the voices led by choir director Tom Wine.

The event is in its 46th year.

Tickets for performing arts events can be purchased in person or by phone from noon-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the College of Fine Arts Box Office, (316) 978-3233.

Concert: WSU Concert Band and Jazz Arts II, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Tickets $6, $5, $2. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Concert: Lynne Davis, organist, Wednesdays in Wiedemann, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, Wiedemann Recital Hall. Free half-hour concert. Information, (316) 978-6218.

Concert: WSU Symphonic Wind Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Tickets $6, $5, $2. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Concert: WSU Symphony Holiday Pops, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Tickets $6, $5, $2. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Exhibit: "MFA Thesis Exhibition," Saturday, Dec. 6, through Thursday, Dec. 18, Ulrich Museum of Art, WSU campus. Free admission. Gallery hours 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays. Information, (316) 978-3664.

Concert: 46th Annual Candlelight Christmas Concert, WSU choirs, 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, and 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, Wiedemann Recital Hall. Tickets $6, $5, $2. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Concert: WSU Fine Arts Institute, 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Free and open to the public.

WSU College of Fine Arts has busy October planned

Among the most heartfelt events in the October lineup of WSU College of Fine Arts' offerings is the world premiere of "Waltzing in Heaven," an uplifting musical tribute to the 1970 WSU football team, many of whose members and supporters died in a plane crash that year. The Opera and Musical Theatre production's opening night will be attended by about 100 of the surviving players, parents, coaches and supporters.

The Marcussen organ will be showcased in two "Wednesdays at Wiedemann" recitals with distinguished professor Lynne Davis, and by David Heller in the Rie Bloomfield Organ Series. The Faculty Artist Series will feature mezzo-soprano Deborah Baxter and cellist Jakub Omsky.

Also on tap are the Symphonic Wind Ensemble; Concert Band and Jazz Arts II; Chamber Singers and Madrigal Singers; A Cappella Choir and Women's Ensemble; and the Symphony Orchestra. And the Ulrich Museum of Art will celebrate the installation of a new outdoor sculpture by world-class artist and Wichita native Tom Otterness.

Subscription series or individual tickets for Wichita State's 2008-2009 performing arts series can be purchased in person or by phone from noon-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the College of Fine Arts Box Office, (316) 978-3233.

Concert: Lynne Davis, organist, Wednesdays in Wiedemann, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, Wiedemann Recital Hall. Free half-hour concert. Information, (316) 978-6218.

Musical Theatre: "Waltzing in Heaven," WSU Opera and Musical Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2-Saturday, Oct. 4; 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, Wilner Auditorium; rated G. Tickets $15, $10, $6. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Youth Outreach: Heartland Choral Festival, WSU School of Music and Wichita Chamber Chorale, 8:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 3-Saturday, Oct. 4, Wiedemann Recital Hall. For more information about registration costs and schedule, go to www.wichita.edu/choirs.

Concert: Tracy Hoover, Viola DaGamba and David Brody, guitar, WSU faculty artists, 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, Wiedemann Recital Hall. Tickets $6, $5, $2. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Concert: Deborah Baxter, mezzo-soprano, Faculty Artist Series, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, Wiedemann Recital Hall. Tickets $6, $5, $2. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Youth Outreach: Middle School Band Festival, WSU School of Music, 8:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 10, Miller Concert Hall and Wiedemann Recital Hall. Information, Victor Markovich at (316) 978-6424 or victor.markovich@wichita.edu.

Exhibit: "The Making of the Millipede," Saturday, Oct. 11, through 2008, Ulrich Museum of Art, WSU campus. Free admission. Gallery hours 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 1-5 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays. Information, (316) 978-3664.

Concert: WSU Symphonic Wind Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Tickets $6, $5, $2. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Concert: WSU Concert Band & Jazz Arts II, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Tickets $6, $5, $2. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Concert: David Heller, organist, WSU Rie Bloomfield Organ Series, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, Wiedemann Recital Hall. Tickets $7, $6, $3. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Lecture: Paul Bowen Photographer's Talk, 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, Ulrich Museum of Art, WSU campus. Free admission. Gallery hours 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 1-5 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays. Information, (316) 978-3664.

Concert: Jakub Omsky, cello, Faculty Artist Series, 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, Wiedemann Recital Hall. Tickets $6, $5, $2. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Concert: WSU Chamber Singers, Madrigal Singers, guest ensemble, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, Wiedemann Recital Hall. Tickets $6, $5, $2. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Youth Outreach: High School String Day, WSU School of Music, 8:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 24, Miller Concert Hall and Wiedemann Recital Hall. Information, Jacquelyn Dillon at 316-978-3359 or jacqueline.dillon@wichita.edu.

Youth Outreach: Men's Choir Festival, WSU School of Music and Senseney Music, 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, Miller Concert Hall and Wiedemann Recital Hall with 3 p.m. concert on same day in Wiedemann. Free admission to concert. Information, Tom Wine at (316) 978-3103 or www.wichita.edu/choirs.

Concert: WSU A Cappella Choir, Women's Ensemble, guest ensemble, 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, Wiedemann Recital Hall. Tickets $6, $5, $2. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Concert: WSU Symphony Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Tickets $6, $5, $2. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Lecture: Tom Otterness Artist's Talk, 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, CAC Theater, WSU campus. Event begins with refreshments at 2:30; performance by WSU dancers at 3 p.m. Free admission. Information, (316) 978-3664.

Concert: Lynne Davis, organist, Wednesdays in Wiedemann, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, Wiedemann Recital Hall. Free half-hour concert. Information, (316) 978-6218.

Theater: "The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail," WSU Mainstage Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30-Saturday, Nov. 1; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, Wilner Auditorium. Cost: $10, discounts available. . Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Exhibit: WSU School of Art & Design, 6-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, WSU Shift Space gallery, 803 E. Third St. in Old Town; normal gallery hours 4-7 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Free. Information, (316) 978-3518.

Photo exhibition of Greensburg disaster on display at WSU

A photography exhibition, "Larry Schwarm: Greensburg After the Storm," is on display at the Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State until Sunday, Aug. 10.

Larry Schwarm is the most prominent fine art photographer living in Kansas. His hometown is Greensburg, Kan., which was nearly totally destroyed by a tornado May 4, 2007.

Prompted by a middle-of-the-night telephone call from his parents, Schwarm hurried to his hometown, checked on his family and began a series of photographs the morning after the storm.

He returned repeatedly to capture the stark reality of the surreal terrain that was once a town.

Many may be familiar with Schwarm's award-winning photographs of the annual burns in the Flint Hills. His past photography has been recognized for its sensitivity to place and landscape. He brings that powerful ability to bear on town ruins and aftermath in Kansas tornado alley.

Exhibitions with Schwarm's work have been organized by the Smithsonian Institution, Art Institute of Chicago, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Milwaukee Art Museum and virtually every museum throughout Kansas and the region.

"Larry Schwarm: Greensburg After the Storm" is organized by the Ulrich.

The exhibition is supported by Bankers' Bank of Kansas, Harry Pollak, Reuben Saunders, Richard D. Smith, Southwest National Bank, Mike and Rhonda Vess, and the Kansas Arts Commission.

WSU makes Wichita Eagle's 2008 Spring Fashion Section

The Ulrich Museum of Art has joined the upper echelon of beautiful buildings in Wichita – the kind of buildings whose environments make elegant and interesting backdrops for a fashion photo shoot.

More than 50 models, hairstylists, make-up artists and photographers took part in The Wichita Eagle's 2008 Spring Fashion Section shoot March 9, at the Ulrich.

The crew, led by Eagle reporter and fashion columnist Bonnie Bing, arrived at 6:45 a.m. to begin work.

The daylong event focused on the Ulrich and the School of Art and Design as backdrops.

The Spring Fashion Section appeared in the Thursday, March 21, Wichita Eagle. It can also be found at http://www.kansas.com/180/story/343779.html.

To see a video, go to http://videos.kansas.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=1781485.

And for the audio gallery, go to http://www.kansas.com/static/slides/032108fashionslide/.

College of Fine Arts offers full plate of entertainment for April

From a multimedia treatment of Langston Hughes to Dame Gillian Weir, contemporary dance and art, and the Wichita Jazz Festival, the College of Fine Arts at Wichita State University has excellent offerings for audiences this April.

Tickets can be purchased in person or by phone from noon-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the College of Fine Arts Box Office, (316) 978-3233, or online at www.wichita.edu/fastickets. For more information, go to www.wichita.edu/finearts.

*** indicates changes from original calendar listings

*** "Greater Tuna," Mainstage Theatre Series, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 1-Sunday, April 6, and 2 p.m. Saturday, April 5, and Sunday, April 6, Welsbacher Theatre, Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 5915 E. 29th St. Tickets $10 (discounts available). Information, 316-978-3233.

Langston Hughes Ask Your Mama: Twelve Moods for Jazz, Connoisseur Series, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Tickets $16 (discounts available). Information, 316-978-3233.

Wichita Brass Quintet, Faculty Artist Series, 3 p.m. Sunday, April 6, Wiedemann Recital Hall. Tickets $6 (discounts available). Information, 316-978-3233.

Organist Dame Gillian Weir, Rie Bloomfield Organ Series, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, Wiedemann Recital Hall, WSU. Tickets $7 (discounts available). Information, 316-978-3233.

WSU Graduate MFA Show, 6-10 p.m. Friday, April 11, WSU Shift Space gallery, 803 E. Third St. in Old Town; normal gallery hours 4-7 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Free. Information, 316-978-7705.

Wichita Contemporary Dance Theatre Spring Concert, Dance Series, 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 11, and Saturday, April 12, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center, WSU. Tickets $10 (discounts available). Information, 316-978-3233.

WSU Symphony Orchestra Concert, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center, WSU. Tickets $6 (discounts available). Information, 316-978-3233.

Wichita Jazz Festival: WSU Jazz Arts II, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center, WSU. Tickets $6 (discounts available). Information, 316-978-3233.

Wichita Jazz Festival: WSU Jazz Arts I with Mid Kansas Jazz Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center, WSU. Tickets $6 (discounts available). Information, 316-978-3233.

Wichita Jazz Festival: College and High School Big Band & Combo performances, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, April 18, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center, WSU. $10, no discounts. Information, 316-978-3233.

Connoisseur Series, Wichita Jazz Festival, Eric Alexander Quartet, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 19, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center, WSU. Tickets $16 (discounts available). Information, 316-978-3233.

*** University Ensembles, Wichita Jazz Festival: WSU Percussion Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 21, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center, WSU. Tickets $6 (discounts available). Information, 316-978-3233.

University Ensembles: WSU Chamber Singers, Madrigal Singers and guest ensemble, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, Wiedemann Recital Hall. Tickets $6 (discounts available). Information, 316-978-3233.

Children's Organ Concert, Lynne Davis, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 23, Wiedemann Recital Hall. Tickets $3. Reservations required. Information, 316-978-3233.

Guest Recital, Tean-Hwa P'ng and Pei-Sien Lim, two pianos, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24, Wiedemann Recital Hall, WSU. Tickets $6 (discounts available). Information, 316-978-3233.

Wired III, Art & Technology, 6-10 p.m. Friday, April 25 (Final Friday), WSU Shift Space gallery, 803 E. Third St. in Old Town; normal gallery hours 4-7 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Free. Information, 316-978-7705.

"Larry Schwarm: Greensburg After the Storm," photography, members' opening reception and meet-the-artist 7 p.m. Saturday, April 26, Ulrich Museum of Art, WSU. Cost: Free to members; $7 nonmembers. Exhibit can be viewed through Sunday, Aug. 10, at no cost. Information, 316-978-3664 or ulrich@wichita.edu.

College of Fine Arts Institute Orchestra Concert, 11 a.m. Saturday, April 26, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center, WSU. Free. Information, 316-978-3233.

University Soloists: Paul Reed, piano, 3 p.m. Sunday, April 27, Wiedemann Recital Hall, WSU. Tickets $6 (discounts available). Information, 316-978-3233.