February 2026 – Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art

Category: February 2026

Have you explored “STE[A]M?”

Posted on February 3, 2026February 3, 2026 by Jui Mhatre

STE[A]M: Exploring Science and Math through Art
This colorful exhibition supports STE[A]M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math plus Art) learning experiences for school-age students and ARTSmart program participants at the Beach Museum of Art. Through works in the collection, students explore concepts in their science curriculum like light waves, refraction and the science behind rainbows. The exhibition is also used for the museum’s Intersection of Math and Art tour for older elementary and middle school students exploring geometric concepts like 2-D and 3-D tessellations.

Gallery photo of the "STE[A]M: Exploring Science and Math through Art" exhibition with works of art on display.
A view of the STE[A]M exhibition

ARTSmart participants learn about the intersection of math and art through the work, Kansas Meatball by Alan Shields.

“Kansas Triennial 25/26” and “Rural America”

Posted on February 3, 2026February 3, 2026 by Jui Mhatre

Two major exhibitions to explore through spring 2026!

Kansas Triennial 25/26
Open through May 31, 2026
Rooted in the Beach Museum’s deep commitment to the region, this new signature exhibition—happening every three years—showcases the diverse and dynamic voices of artists who call Kansas home. The exhibition series invites us to reflect on Kansas’ spirit of growth and transformation, where the energy of place meets a culture of forward-thinking expression. The 2025 inaugural installation features works by Mona Cliff, Mark Cowardin, Poppy DeltaDawn, and Ann Resnick.

Related events | Beach Museum of Art | Free and open to all

Artist Talk: Poppy DeltaDawn
Thurs., March 12, 2026, 5:30 p.m.

Artist Talk: Mona Cliff
Thurs., April 2, 2026, 5:30 p.m.

A view of the "Kansas Triennial 25/26" exhibition.
A view of the Kansas Triennial 25/26 exhibition

"There is no Kansas" artwork by Poppy DeltaDawn, on view in the Kansas Triennial 25/26 exhibition Poppy DeltaDawn, There is no Kansas, 2024, ceramic tile and grout on panel, courtesy of the artist

A view of the "Kansas Triennial 25/26" exhibition. A view of the “Kansas Triennial 25/26” exhibition

Major Sponsors: Friends of the Beach Museum of Art, Greater Manhattan Community Foundation’s Lincoln & Dorothy Deihl Community Grants Program
Contributing Sponsors: Dick and Gloria Anderson, Mike & Dee Michaelis
Media Sponsor: KANSAS! Magazine

Rural America
Open through September 26, 2026
Works from the museum’s collection depict life in rural America, highlighting both the challenges rural communities face as well as the unique qualities that sustain them. These primarily historical images offer a lens through which to consider the struggles and strengths of today’s rural communities. The exhibition will be in two parts.

Check out the current iteration before the works are rotated for phase two of the exhibition opening March 31, 2026.

Related event | Beach Museum of Art | Free and open to all

Hungry Heartland: Stories of Resilience
Conversation with K-State Faculty and Students in Art, Media and Communications, and Social Transformation Studies
Thursday, April 16, 2026, 5:30-7 p.m.

A view of the "Rural America" exhibition at the Beach Museum of Art
A view of the Rural America exhibition

Interactive station with notebook and pencil to share feedback in the "Rural America" exhibition at the Beach Museum of Art.
Many visitors have shared their thoughts about rural living in the Rural America exhibition’s interactive station. We would love to hear from you!

Major Sponsor: Greater Manhattan Community Foundation’s Lincoln & Dorothy Deihl Community Grants Program
Sustaining Sponsors: Dan and Beth Bird
Contributing Sponsor: The Beach–Edwards Family Foundation

Beach SweetART Contest

Posted on February 3, 2026February 3, 2026 by Jui Mhatre

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. You are invited to join our SweetART contest!

Visit the Beach Museum of Art between February 3-14, 2026 to choose your favorite work of art on display. Simply pick up a heart at our gallery attendant desk and place it by the piece you love! Don’t forget to snap a photo, share it with #SweetArtBeach and tag the museum.

First through third place winners will be announced on February 14, 2026 on the museum’s social media channels. We can’t wait to see your favorite works in your art museum.

The Beach Museum is open Tues Wed Fri 10 – 5, Thurs 10 – 8, Sat 11 – 4, Closed Sun, Mon & holidays. Free admission and parking always

Beach SweetART contest participant holding a paper heart in front of a favorite artwork on display at the Beach Museum of Art.

Beach SweetART contest

Beach SweetART contest participant holding a paper heart in front of a favorite artwork on display at the Beach Museum of Art.

Spring 2026 ARTSmart Classes – Register Now!

Posted on February 3, 2026 by Jui Mhatre

The Museum hosts a variety of classes and workshops throughout the year for all ages! For more information on any of these programs, please contact our Education team at bmaeducation@ksu.edu or call 785-532-7718.

ARTSmart
All classes offer families a chance to explore the exhibitions and collection with engagement activities and a hands-on art project. Classes occur once monthly for each age group.

Times/ages:
Homeschool ARTSmart: Tuesdays 1-2:30 p.m. (grades K-8)
Pre-K ARTSmart: Thursdays 10-11 a.m. (ages 2-5)
Elementary ARTSmart: Thursdays 4:30-5:30 p.m. (grades K-5)

Upcoming class:
February 2-6: Paper Destruction (inspired by Ann Resnick’s work)

Ann Resnick, “Cenotaph (Orange/Green) (detail),” 2015, spray paint, two layers of burned paper
Ann Resnick, Cenotaph (Orange/Green), 2015, spray paint, two layers of burned paper. On view in the Kansas Triennial 25/26 exhibition

Cost for each class above is $5 per child or $20 for semester. Payment accepted with cash, check, or credit card. Reservations required: please call 785-532-7718 or email bmaeducation@ksu.edu. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

A young participant in an ARTSmart class

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!

Friends of the Beach Museum of Art members receive half price discount with membership card. Please click here to join the Friends of the Beach.

See all Spring 2026 Art Classes.

No School Makerspace: Valentine’s Workshop

Posted on February 3, 2026February 3, 2026 by Jui Mhatre

Friday, Feb. 6, 2026 | 1-3 p.m. | Beach Museum of Art | $10 per person | Register now!

Create artful valentines for your friends or family! Workshop is for all ages. Cost covers supplies to make 5 unique valentines cards each. Payment accepted with cash, check, or credit card.

Special: Friends of the Beach Museum of Art and Military families receive a discount of 50% off on the price.

Questions? Email bmaeducation@ksu.edu or call 785-532-7718.

Participants creating valentines gifts at the Beach Museum of Art's Valentine's Workshop

Student Strings Recitals

Posted on February 3, 2026 by Jui Mhatre

Student Strings Recitals | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Beach Museum of Art | Free and open to the public

Spring 2026 dates: February 4 and 18, March 25, and April 22

Experience the vibrant talent of Kansas State University’s music program in our Student Recital Series, showcasing exceptional string musicians. These informal daytime performances feature graduate and undergraduate students performing a diversity of works from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary eras.

A cellist playing cello in one of the Beach Museum of Art galleries with art displayed on walls in the background.

Double Take: Gallery Tour of Select Artworks

Posted on February 3, 2026 by Jui Mhatre

Thurs., Feb. 26, 2026 | 5:30-6 p.m. | Beach Museum of Art | Free and open to the public
Theme: Juxtaposition — How Space Shapes Meaning | Guest: Luke Dempsey (Exhibition Designer)

Artists, curators, and designers use placement, spacing, and the architecture of a gallery to influence how we experience art. This conversation explores why works are arranged the way they are and how the physical environment becomes part of the artwork’s impact.

Double Take is a 30-minute program hosted by Museum Outreach Specialist Nate McClendon that that explores how to engage with art and invites participants to take a deeper look at selected artworks on display. If you’re new or unsure of how to interpret or think about art, this is for you. Bring your personal experiences to the artwork and hear other perspectives. Gain insight into artistic techniques, philosophies, and the role of art in everyday life, while also having the opportunity to anonymously share and observe real-time reactions to the works.

Join us throughout the year as we discover how to use the museum, engage with art, and uncover why art matters.

One of the works we will explore:

Alan Shields, "Kansas Meatball," acrylic on canvas over aluminum tubing, bolts and nuts, and cotton thread, 2007.111
Alan Shields, Kansas Meatball, acrylic on canvas over aluminum tubing, bolts and nuts, and cotton thread, 2007.111

Current Exhibitions

Posted on February 3, 2026 by Jui Mhatre

Click here to view current Virtual Exhibitions

Screen capture of the virtual exhibition “To the Stars Through Art.” Available to view at mkbma.org

Gallery Exhibitions:

Rural America
September 2, 2025 – September 26, 2026

"Rural America" exhibition promotional image.

Kansas Triennial 25/26
August 5, 2025 – May 31, 2026

2025-2026 K-State Common Work of Art

Carol Pylant, "No Masters," 1988.6
Carol Pylant, No Masters, 1986, oil on panel, 30 1/2 x 26 7/8 in., 1988.6

Collection Galleries
Orval Hempler Gallery | John F. Helm Gallery | Mary Holton Seaton Gallery East | Mary Holton Seaton Gallery West | Stolzer Family Foundation Outdoor Gallery
Featured works are curated from the 12,000+ objects in the museum’s collection. Come visit the galleries and make discoveries that matter to you! Admission and parking are always free

Category: February 2026

Gallery Exhibitions:

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