Kansas Triennial 25/26
August 5, 2025–May 31, 2026
The Kansas Triennial marks an exciting new chapter for the Beach Museum of Art. As a recurring exhibition series focused on contemporary artists working within the state, the Triennial is both a celebration and an inquiry: into what it means to make art in Kansas today, and how those expressions resonate far beyond state lines.
The inaugural exhibition in fall 2025 brings together work by Mona Cliff, Mark Cowardin, Poppy DeltaDawn, and Ann Resnick. These artists reflect a wide range of materials, disciplines, and lived experiences.
A view of the Kansas Triennial 25/26 exhibition
A view of the Kansas Triennial 25/26 exhibition
“This exhibition is about listening closely to the artists working in Kansas right now,” says museum director and triennial curator, Kent Michael Smith. “There’s no imposed theme—just a commitment to trust artists, to honor their urgency and insight, and to recognize them as tellers of truth in a time and place where that can feel scarce.”
Each artist brings a distinct voice. Mona Cliff, based in Lawrence, merges traditional Indigenous beadwork with contemporary abstraction in vibrant wall hangings rooted in heritage and ecological awareness. Mark Cowardin, also of Lawrence, navigates themes of consumption, sacredness, and interconnected systems, often incorporating functional elements like ladders and lighting to evoke both utility and metaphor. Poppy DeltaDawn’s conceptual textile works use digital weaving and layering to examine bodily autonomy and identity with visual and emotional precision. Wichita artist Ann Resnick offers deeply personal works rendered through pyrography and monoprinting—gestures of mourning, memory, and quiet persistence.
A view of the Kansas Triennial 25/26 exhibition
As a triennial event, this exhibition series will grow over time. It offers an evolving platform for discovering and reflecting on the most vital artistic voices in Kansas. We look forward to welcoming audiences into this ongoing conversation, one that we hope fosters connection, dialogue, and deeper engagement with the art of our time.
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, Weary Family Foundation
Contributing Sponsors: Dick and Gloria Delich Anderson, Mike and Dee Michaelis
Media Sponsor:
Related events
At the Beach Museum of Art
Free and open to all
Fall 2025 Exhibition Opening Reception
Thurs., Sept. 11, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
All Triennial artists will be present as special guests
Artist Talk: Mark Cowardin
Thurs., Oct. 9, 2025, 5 p.m.
Artist Talk: Poppy DeltaDawn
Thurs., March 12, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
Artist Talk: Mona Cliff
Thurs., April 2, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
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!