Ulrich Museum Spring/Summer 2013 Events
All Ulrich events are free and located at the museum unless noted otherwise.
TUESDAY, APRIL 30
6 P.M. PROGRAM, 7 P.M. RECEPTION
FACULTY BIENNIAL ART HISTORY TALK: Catherine Blair-Dixon
Contested Authority in Late Antiquity: Churches and Patron Saints
210 McKnight Art Center West, WSU School of Art and Design
Dr. Catherine Blair-Dixon discusses the patronage behind the construction of certain prominent churches in Constantinople and Rome in the 5th and 6th century. In particular, this talk will focus on the images and saints chosen by the women of the powerful Anician family, who vied for power and legitimation through their artistic commissions. Dr. Blair-Dixon is adjunct instructor in Renaissance and Baroque art history.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1
5:30 P.M. RECEPTION, 6 P.M. READING
WRITING NOW/READING NOW--WSU Reading Series: Craig Blais
Accomplished poet and WSU graduate Craig Blais returns to WSU. His 2012 collection, About Crows, was a finalist for the Walt Whitman Award and the National Poetry Series. In 2013, he was selected by Terrance Hayes for the Felix Pollak Prize in Poetry by the University of Wisconsin Press. His poetry has appeared in Hayden's Ferry Review, Bellingham Review, Spoon River Poetry Review, and Sentence: A Journal of Prose Poetics.
THURSDAY, MAY 2
NOON LUNCH, 12:30-1:30 P.M. PROGRAM
FACULTY BIENNIAL ARTIST TALKS: Kirsten S. Johnson and Kathryn Van Steenhuyse
Multiplicity with Kirsten S. Johnson, Associate Professor in Graphic Design
Inspired by the collages of Ernst, Picasso, Matisse and Schwitters' Merz Pictures, Johnson creates small and large-scale photomontages.
Invitation into Process with Kathryn Van Steenhuyse, Lecturer
Van Steenhuyse's studio practice includes work in acrylic, ink, pastel, and watercolor. She describes painting as "...a playful proposition of visceral ideas where the gut jumps in feet first and slops around."
FRIDAY, MAY 3, NOON-1 P.M.
MEET-THE-ARTIST RECEPTION
Join the Ulrich to congratulate the spring 2013 WSU School of Art and Design MFA student Matthew Eames, a ceramic artist originating from Cape Cod, Massachusetts (whose work is pictured at left). Eames will provide a short gallery talk with a welcome from Barry Badgett, director of the School of Art and Design, at 12:30 p.m. Come early for snacks and sandwiches.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 10 A.M. REFRESHMENTS, 10:30 PROGRAM
SENIOR WEDNESDAY: Matthew Eames on "An Assemblage of Art"
One of the oldest MFA programs in the nation, the WSU Master of Fine Arts in studio arts has built regionally and nationally acclaimed artists. In spring 2013, MFA ceramics candidate Matthew Eames presents his thesis exhibition, some three years in the making. Utilizing clay and other materials to create intriguing installations, Eames continues the tradition of bridging boundaries between media.
FRIDAY, MAY 17
ULRICH FIELD TRIP: Destination Manhattan
Nestled in the Flint Hills is a community known as "The Little Apple." Home to big sky, vast fields and wide, open roads, Manhattan has a vested interest in the visual arts and exhibits a fierce pride for the region. Ulrich Field Trip guides Jim Johnson, Randy Regier, and Bob Workman provide tours of the jewels of Manhattan including the Flint Hills Discovery Center and the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art at Kansas State University. Breaking out his interpreter’s hat for a unique, "from the trenches" perspective, former Flint Hills Discovery Center director Bob Workman leads an exploration of the center honoring this region's most unique biosphere--the Flint Hills, and the Tallgrass prairie--the last, and largest, stand of Tallgrass in the nation. The field trip is a precursor to the Ulrich's August 31 opening of Nature's Toolbox: Biodiversity, Art and Invention. Celebrating nature’s amazing design concepts--the exhibition appreciates the interdependence of Earth's species, and the quality of the environment we share. Good Boy, Bad Boy: The Prints of John Boyd places the printmaking world on display at K-State’s Beach Museum. Good Boy, Bad Boy is a survey of the late Wichita artist and WSU professor John Boyd's work. Boyd family friend and curator-at-large Jim Johnson guides us through the exhibition providing context, history, and personal stories of John’s career. Wichita artist Randy Regier also joins the crew. Regier's fictive toys, sculptures, and installations were the focus of a 2004 Beach exhibition and are included in the Beach's collection. His print ToyGantic was the Friends of the Beach feature print in 2006. Transportation, snacks, and lunch are provided with limited seating available. To make your reservation ($65 for Ulrich members, $75 for general public), call (316) 978-3664 or email ulrich@wichita.edu.
THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 7-9 P.M.
ART FOR YOUR EARS: Chuck Pyle
Seeing what's best about America, Chuck Pyle, who has performed on Austin City Limits, writes songs about love lost and love found, forgetful cowboys, and heroic highway patrolmen. Holding the moniker of "Zen Cowboy," he "…always rides the horse in the direction it's going," mixing infectiously hummable melodies with straight-from-the-saddle poetry, quoting bumper stickers, proverbs, and old cowboys. Pyle's songs have been recorded by John Denver, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Suzy Bogguss. Country fans know him for writing "Cadillac Cowboy," recorded by Chris LeDoux, and "Jaded Lover," recorded by Jerry Jeff Walker. Live performances feature the signature Chuck Pyle Finger-Style approach to guitar--sure to hook the crowd every time.
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 7-9 P.M.
ART FOR YOUR EARS: Vance Gilbert
"With the voice of an angel, the wit of a devil, and the guitar playing of a god, it was enough to earn him that rarity: an encore for an opener." --Fort Worth Star-Telegram
From a folk-style field of music often dominated by white performers and audiences, Vance Gilbert emerges with sophisticated melodies and harmonies as well as casual live-show banter that proves to be engaging. With a recent album title like Old White Men, he paints a poignant and humorous picture--full of great advice such as "...don’t trust women in three-inch heels." His touring card has included requests to open famed artists such as Arlo Guthrie, Anita Baker, and George Carlin.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 7-9 P.M.
ART FOR YOUR EARS: Mark Selby and Tia Sillers
Grammy-winning songwriters Mark Selby and Tia Sillers return to Wichita for a special season-closing Art for Your Ears performance. Together, this singer-songwriter, husband-and-wife duo have penned more than 20 hit singles, including the Dixie Chicks' Grammy-winning #1 "There’s Your Trouble" and Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s "Blue on Black," which was named Billboard Magazine's Rock Track of the Year. Kansas/Oklahoma native Mark Selby has toured and recorded with artists B.B. King, Jeff Beck, Kenny Rogers, Wynona, and Lynrd Skynrd. Tia's discography includes hits for country icons Alan Jackson and Trisha Yearwood.
