Kansas State University

Celebrating Heroes: American Mural Studies of the 1930s and 1940s from the Steven and Susan Hirsch Collection
March 5 – June 15, 2019

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s jobs programs for artists during the 1930s and 1940s introduced a golden age for murals in America. New Deal artists took inspiration from the panels of the Mexican muralists, in which various ethnic groups and the everyday worker became monumental “heroes.” Farmers, miners, American Indians, settlers, all found places in the government murals that still greet visitors in sites such as post offices and schools.

This exhibition of over fifty drawings explores the themes that emerged in American mural making from the Great Depression until after World War II. Artists featured include Anton Refregier, Jenne Magafan, Edward Chávez, and Arnold Blanch.

The exhibition provides an intimate look at the thinking processes of these artists and others who competed for New Deal mural commissions. Colorful and dynamic preliminary studies offer insights into artists’ thoughts about interpreting history, the notion of “hero,” and democratic ideals – topics still relevant today.

This exhibition has been organized by the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center of Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York.

Related Events:
Thursday, April 25, 5:30 p.m.
A New Deal for Public Art in the Free State
Documentary screening and post discussion with filmmaker Kara Heitz, Kansas City Art Institute.

Thursday, May 2, 5:30 p.m.
“Heroes for Hard Times: American Art During the 1930s and 1940s”
Talk by Lara Kuykendall, Ball State University

Image: Philo B. Ruggles (United States, 1906-1988) and John Ruggles (United States, 1907-1991), Steel Workers, 1939, competition sketch for Section of Fine Arts mural, post office, Bridgeport, Ohio (unrealized), gouache, watercolor, and graphite on cardboard, 16 1/4 x 37 3/8 in., Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, Vassar College, Gift of Susan and Steven Hirsch, class of 1971, 2015.23.4.2

Thursday, March 21, 5:30 p.m.
“BlacKkKlansman: A Response to the Resurgence of Overt Racism in America Today.” Talk by Kevin Willmott, co-writer of the film BlacKkKlansman with director Spike Lee
Bluemont Room, Kansas State University Student Union

Closing keynote for The Art of Democracy symposium. The public also welcome. 

Acclaimed Kansas-based filmmaker Kevin Willmott will discuss how the film explores and exemplifies our time under the Trump administration, including the rise of racism, Charlottesville, the Muslim travel ban, and the government shutdown over funding for the wall. Willmott’s films often reflect elements that currently define life in the USA. His insightful use of humor adds precision to his critiques, and at the same time affirms our humanity in the face of hatred.

BlacKkKlansman
Won Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay at the recent 91st Academy Awards. Nominated for five other Academy Awards. Received prestigious international awards: The Grand Prix at Cannes Film festival, Best Adapted Screenplay at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), and others.

The Art of Democracy, a symposium co-organized by the Office of the Provost and the Center for Engagement and Community Development. The talk is presented in partnership with the Dow Center for Multicultural and Community Studies, Center for Engagement and Community Development, K-State Department of Art, UFM Community Learning Center, and K-State Black Student Union.

Thursday, March 28, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Just Doug and Ella: Film Screenings and Discussion with Director Dan Chen

Photo by Arielle Zakowski

Dan Chen grew up in Manhattan, Kansas, and now works as a filmmaker in Los Angeles. His films tell stories about being Asian-American in Hollywood and growing up Asian-American in a small Midwest town. Reception to follow.
Presented in partnership with the Dow Center for Multicultural and Community Studies and K-State’s Asian American Student Union.

Thursday, April 4, 7:30 p.m.
The Loveliness of Air – I can’t Breathe
Performance by Joseph Wytko and Anna Marie Wytko

The Loveliness of Air is an original electroacoustic composition based upon selected poetry and prose of children under the age of 15 who were victims of the Theresienstadt (Terezín) Nazi concentration and transit camp between 1942 and 1944. The Loveliness of Air was composed and its production engineered by Joseph Wytko and supported in part by a grant from Arizona State University. The work includes narrations in nearly one dozen languages and features saxophone solo artist Anna Marie Wytko, associate professor of music in the K-State School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.
A second performance will be held at the Volland Store in the Flint Hills, April 7, at 2 p.m. For more information: thevollandstore.com

Saturday, April 13, 1-3 p.m.
Week of the Young Child Open House
Join us for a free afternoon of gallery activities and art
projects for the whole family. This year’s theme is “The Story
in Art.” The event will feature the National Endowment
for the Humanities Picturing America print set and special
guests from the Flint Hills Discovery Center. 

Co-sponsored by USD 383 Early
Learning Centers, Kansas Association
for the Education of Young Children,
the K-State Center for Child Development, and Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities Inc. Funded by a grant
from the USD 383 K-Link program.

Thursday, April 18, 5:30 p.m.
The History and Art of Tea with Tea Master Shozo Sato
Presented by University of Illinois Professor Emeritus Shozo Sato,
a master of traditional Zen arts and recipient of the Order
of Sacred Treasure from the Emperor of Japan for his contributions
in teaching Japanese traditions.

This event is part of the Silk Road
through Kansas program series.

Tuesday, April 23, 5:30 p.m.
Fifth annual Aprendiendo Del Arte-Learning from Art Guest Artist Lecture by Akeem Ayanbisi Ayanniyi

Akeem is descended from 10 generations of drummers
in Nigeria and is well-known for his rhythm, skills, and
showmanship. Event held in collaboration with K-State’s
College of Education.

Thursday, April 25, 5:30 p.m.
A New Deal for Public Art in the Free State
Documentary film screening and post discussion with filmmaker Kara Heitz, Kansas City Art Institute.
Heitz’s film, produced with Graham Carroll, documents the history of murals painted for Kansas post offices as part of New Deal arts programs. Join her after the screening for a conversation about the murals’ historic and contemporary significance. A New Deal for Public Art in a Free State is a film by Clio’s Scroll Productions LLC in conjunction with the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery and funded by a grant from Humanities Kansas.

Mural by Birger Sandzen in the post office at Lindsborg, KS. Image by the Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery.

Celebrating Heroes: American Mural Studies of the 1930s and 1940s from the Steven and Susan Hirsch Collection
March 5 – June 15, 2019

Pete Souza: Two Presidents, One Photographer
February 5 – April 27, 2019

Picturing Kansas
October 5, 2018 – June 1, 2019

Voices: Art Linking Asia and the West
December 4, 2018–December 21, 2019

Left image: Pete Souza, President Reagan working at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office (October 26, 1988). Right image: Pete Souza, President Barack Obama works at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office (October 14, 2016).

The Museum hosts a variety of classes and workshops throughout the year for all ages.

Click here to view Spring 2019 ARTSmart programs for families

East Meets West Part II
Travel the remainder of the Silk Road as part of the museum’s “Silk Road through Kansas” programming. We will visit India, China, Japan, and the Middle East. Next Class: April 10-12: The Art of the Fan

Homeschool Tuesdays
Classes meet on the first Tuesday of the month and allow homeschool families a chance to participate in the museum’s school field trip program. Classes are appropriate for kids in kindergarten on up.
Next class: April 2, 1-2:30 p.m. Celebrating Heroes

Cost for all above classes is $3 per child, $1.50 for military families, and reservations are required. Call 785-532-7718 or email klwalk@k-state.edu for reservations. Children must be accompanied by an adult. If you need to cancel your reservation let us know so we can call those on the waiting list.

Special price for Military Families:  In conjunction with the Blue Star Museum program, the Beach Museum of Art offers military families half price on all workshops and classes!

The museum is open Tues, Wed, Fri, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs 10 a.m.-8p.m., Sat, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free admission. Free parking.

Visit us online at beach.k-state.edu

See all upcoming events

Check out The Beach Blog for behind-the-scenes information, event info, and guest posts.

Like us on Facebook  |  Follow us on Twitter  |  Follow us on Instagram

Image: Elizabeth Layton, Untitled (business business business, you gotta have art), 1991, KSU, Beach Museum of Art