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Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art

Category: November 2025

Closing Soon!

In Bloom
Open through November 15, 2025

This exhibition was originally planned to be open until August 2025. However, due to the immense positive response from our community, the exhibition was  extended through November 15, 2025. Come see this exhibition that celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Kansas State University Gardens with floral imagery from the museum’s collection. This exhibition is also our annual collaboration with the Manhattan Public Library’s summer reading program. The American Library Association has chosen the theme, “Color Our World,” and we promise a riot of color!

"In Bloom" exhibition gallery with floral artworks displayed on the walls. There is a title wall with "In Blom" text designed using various floral elements like flowers, leaves, birds etc.

Exhibition highlights include glass artist Dale Chihuly’s Imperial Iris Persian Pair, a gift of Ross and Marianna Beach, and Cubist artist George Braque’s Les Marguerites. Numerous Midwestern artists are represented, among them John F. Helm, Jr., Avis Chitwood, Birger Sandzén and Grant Wood. Wood’s Tame Flowers in the exhibition was hand colored by his sister, Nan Wood. Contemporary artists featured include Renée Stout, Karsten Creightney and Kate Nessler. Nessler’s Lady Slipper Orchid was a Royal Horticultural Society gold medal winner.

The exhibition has been co-curated by Gabriella Randall as part of a museum certificate program in K-State’s anthropology department. Randall is majoring in art history and minoring in classics. Her work on the exhibition was part of a 2024 summer internship at the Beach Museum of Art which was generously funded by Tony Crawford.

Major Sponsors: Friends of the Beach Museum of Art, Greater Manhattan Community Foundation’s Lincoln & Dorothy I. Deihl Community Grants Program
Sustaining Sponsors: Dan and Beth Bird
Media Sponsor: Radio Kansas

You are invited to a Gathering of Friends

Please join us for a Gathering of Friends
A special quarterly event hosted by the Beach Museum of Art
Nov. 13, 2025, 5-6:30 PM, 701 Beach Lane, Manhattan, Kansas 66503
Seize the opportunity to catch up with BMA Friends and become a Friend, if you aren’t a member already. Grab some refreshments, hear what is happening at Your Art Museum and discover how you can get involved in new and meaningful ways.
Special guest: Manhattan, Kansas artist Phyllis Garibay-Coon presents on her suffragist mural installed in the Kansas State Capitol earlier this year.
We hope to see you there!

Double Take: Gallery Tour of Select Artworks

Thurs., Nov. 20, 2025 | 5:30-6 p.m. | Beach Museum of Art | Free and open to the public

Theme: Meaning from Materials
Art reflects history and culture by expressing individual history and experience. The materials an artist chooses to use often hold significant meaning or intention. Discover how and why artists tell their personal stories through the various materials. 

Double Take is a 30-minute program hosted by Museum Outreach Specialist Nate McClendon that invites participants to take a deeper look at selected artworks on display. Through conversations with curators, artists, and museum staff, the program explores the stories, intentions, and societal themes behind the art and exhibitions. 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.

"Woven" by Poppy DeltaDawn, a variety of woven cedar and textile baskets hung from a tall wooden structure Poppy DeltaDawn, Woven, cedar and textile, on view in the Kansas Triennial 25/26 exhibition. Courtesy of the artist

Gallery discussion with participantsDouble Take gallery conversation

Beach Ball 2025 and Silent Auction

A HUGE THANK YOU to all our wonderful guests who attended the Beach Ball fundraiser on Oct. 17, 2025 and made it a grand success. IT – WAS – A – BLAST! Many thanks to MHK Caravan Co., Nicos Little Italy, Andrew Schell aka DJ N.A. BeerWolf and all our Underwriters for their incredible partnership and support in helping us throw a grand party! 🤩🎉💜

The Beach Ball exclusive SILENT AUCTION is live and online bidding is open! Auction items include Curator for a Day; Dinner and Private Tour with Museum Director; Pierre Amadieu + K-State Collectible Wine Set & Choir of Man Experience; Your own Cyanotype Printing & Pie Workshop and more!

Bid now and win your favorite experience before it’s gone.

 


Please enjoy some photos from the Beach Ball 2025. We sincerely appreciate the love and support. 🫶🏼🌹

 

Current Exhibitions

Click here to view current Virtual Exhibitions

 

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

"Kansas Triennial 25/26" exhibition image



In Bloom
February 25–November 15, 2025

In Bloom exhibition



2025 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.

 

Art Classes

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 the Education team at bmaeducation@ksu.edu or call 785-532-7718.

ARTSmart Thursdays
Time/ages: 10-11 a.m. (ages 2-5) and 4:30-5:30 p.m. (PreK-5th grade)
All classes include a looking activity in the galleries and an art-making project inspired by the gallery tour. Preschool morning classes include a story or movement activity and emphasize introductory art concepts. After school classes are designed for elementary students.
Upcoming class:
November 6: History of Mark Making

Gallery education program at the Beach Museum of Art with young explorers discussing an artwork on display with the Gallery Teacher.

Homeschool Tuesdays
Time/ages: 1-2:30 p.m. (all ages)
Homeschool Tuesdays take place on the first Tuesday of each month, offering families a chance to explore the exhibitions and the collection with integrated curriculum. These tours, designed for students from kindergarten and up, include a hands-on art project to enhance the experience.
Upcoming class:
November 4: History of Mark Making

Workshop at the Beach Museum of Art

Cost for each class above is $5 per child. Friends of the Beach Museum of Art and Military/BlueStar discount $2.50. Reservations required: call 785-532-7718 or email bmaeducation@ksu.edu. Pay with cash or check. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Blue Star Museums logo 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.

Click here to view all Fall 2025 Art Classes and Family Programs

Stay Connected!

Visit us online at beach.k-state.edu

Send email to beachart@k-state.edu

Join the museum’s e-news list to stay up to date on everything at the museum.

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

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Subscribe to the museum’s YouTube channel to watch videos of art, artists and special programs.

Join the Beach Buddies Facebook Group to enjoy cool art, fun activities and resources for children, families and educators.

Elizabeth Layton, Untitled (business business business, you gotta have art)1991, Kansas State University, Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, 1998.222