Endowment Fund Established
A Tribute to Ann Evans
In 1974, the year the Lawrence Arts Center opened, about 4,000 people attended its performances, classes and exhibitions. These days, the Center attracts more than 100,000 annual visits. The Arts Center’s classes — 20 that first year — now number upwards of 450. A great deal of that growth is due to the leadership of Ann Evans.
As the first and only executive director the Arts Center has ever known, Ann nurtured it in its first home, the former Carnegie Library building at Ninth and Vermont streets. She also oversaw the expansion in 2002 to its present home, the sparkling hub of community activity in the 900 block of New Hampshire Street. Affectionately dubbed “A Place to Imagine,” the ultramodern building features a theatre, two exhibition galleries, 10 art and dance studios, and bright and airy preschool classrooms.
It will take some imagination to envision the place without Ann’s everyday presence, now that she has retired from the post she held for 33 years.
Ann grew up in Paola, Kan., and earned a degree from the University of Kansas. She worked three years at a private arts center in Albany, N.Y., before returning to Lawrence to take the Arts Center job. Her part-time salary was paid by a grant from the Kansas Arts Commission. Ann found ways to give back as her role burgeoned far beyond part-time and far beyond her office. She has served on the Kansas Arts Commission and the Kansas Humanities Council and on review panels for the National Endowment for the Arts. She has juried art exhibitions throughout the state, and has received a Phoenix Award and a Kansas Governor’s Arts Award for her roles as advocate and educator. Meanwhile, in these three decades, the Arts Center has become a community treasure, bringing together people from all walks of life and all parts of Lawrence.
“The fact that an arts center is an institution in the community and that it’s just part of our way of life is really rewarding,” Ann says. “I meet so many people who have some sort of connection to this place.”
Ann, thank you for all you have given to bring the arts to our area, especially to those for whom it really makes a difference. We wish you well.
—Thanks to Mindie Paget of the Lawrence Journal-World and Steven Hill of the Kansas Alumni Magazine
Dear Friends of the Lawrence Arts Center,
It has truly been a privilege and an honor to serve as the Lawrence Arts Center’s executive director for the past 33 years. Together, we have built the dream held in 1974 by the Lawrence Arts Commission into the reality of a major community institution. The Carnegie, located at 9th and Vermont, was a wonderful home for over 27 years for the development of the programs.
In 2002, a major accomplishment was achieved with the Center moving into the outstanding home designed specifically for the Center and the community needs and located on New Hampshire Street in our downtown.
With the wonderful participation and support from you who have enrolled in the classes, viewed the great art exhibitions, attended performances, exhibited your work in the galleries and performed on the stage — and who have supported the programs with your annual members and building campaign donations — we have worked together to make the Center an outstanding community resource. The annual participation has grown from 4,000 in 1974 to 100,000 in 2007. Because of your involvement, the dream has become a truly remarkable reality.
I have so appreciated the many stories that have been shared with me by friends and people who I meet about the important role that the Center’s programs have played in the growth of creative thinking and self esteem for their children and grandchildren, and the opportunities provided for the development of the careers for many of our outstanding artists, actors and dancers and for the experiences to explore through arts that many of us did not have in growing up.
The Lawrence Arts Center’s Board of Directors has established the Ann Evans Endowment Fund in tribute to my services to the Center. The Fund’s purpose is to support the growth and quality of programs in the arts presented to the community and to ensure all individuals with the opportunity to participate. I invite you to consider a special gift to support the Center’s future programs and opportunities with your generous contribution to the Ann Evans Endowment Fund. Thank you for this special opportunity and for wonderful support.
—Ann Evans
A tribute to Ann Evans
Please join us for a public reception to honor Ann Evans on Saturday, March 8, from 2 to 4pm, at the Lawrence Arts Center.
Lawrence Art Auction
28th Annual Lawrence Art Auction
Saturday, April 12
FEATURED ARTIST Tim Forcade
The annual Lawrence Art Auction is planned for Saturday April 12, at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire Street in downtown Lawrence. The auction will feature the work of approximately 270 area artists, and will benefit the exhibitions program at the Arts Center. Auctioneer Col. Wes Schlobohm of Best Deal Auctions in Kansas City will officiate. This year’s featured artist is media artist and photographer Tim Forcade. A preview exhibition for the auction opens on March 17 with a public reception planned for April 4 from 5:30 to 8:30pm.
Silent Auction
Over half of the works of art will be available in the Silent Auction. Bids on Silent Auction items may be made during the Preview Exhibition. Silent Auction items may be “bought out” of the auction for 150 percent of posted retail value. Winners of Silent Auction items will be announced at the Live Auction on April 12.
Live Auction
Approximately 100 works of art will be auctioned live on Saturday evening, April 12. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Lawrence Arts Center for $25 beginning March 17. Tickets may be purchased at the door on April 12 for $30.
March 10, 6-8pm: Artist donor appreciation party (for donating artists and friends only). Bring your artwork to donate, enjoy refreshments provided by Maceli’s and see what other artists have contributed.
March 17: Preview Exhibition opens to the public and runs through April 12, in the galleriesof the Lawrence Arts Center. Silent Auction bids may be made up until 7:15pm on April 12.
April 2, 5:30-7pm: Imagination Society Reception (for Imagination Society members and invited guests only). A presentation will be made by featured artist Tim Forcade.
April 4, 5:30-8:30pm: Members Preview Party (open to the public). Remarks by members of the Lawrence Art Auction Committee, featured artist Tim Forcade and donating artists at 6:30pm.
Tickets for the auction will be available beginning March 10 at the Lawrence Arts Center for $25 (advance price), or at the door on auction night for $30. Buy your tickets early and avoid the crowd at the door on auction night! The party on auction night begins at 6pm. Hy-vee Food Stores will provide refreshments. This will be the time to get your final Silent Auction bids in and decide on your favorite Live Auction items. More than 150 items will be available in the Silent Auction. Successful bids will be posted during the Live Auction. Silent Auction bids must be recorded by 7:15pm on April 12. Col. Wes Schlobohm of Best Deal Auctions, Inc. will auction live approximately 100 works of original art. The Live Auction will begin at 7:30pm sharp and move quickly.
The auction attracted more than 700 people last year. Hundreds more saw the Preview Exhibition and registered Silent Auction bids during the weeks preceding the event. This year we anticipate similar interest.
Lawrence’s first benefit art auction, the Lawrence Art Auction was established in 1981 to encourage artists and art lovers to support exhibitions at the Lawrence Arts Center. Last year the auction generated over $130,000 which was used to support gallery exhibitions by area and national artists at the Arts Center.
2008 Featured Artist Tim Forcade
Tim Forcade has more than 40 years of experience as an artist, painter, photographer and designer with much of that time devoted to the study and application of art and technology. Since the 1960s he has combined his fine arts education with directed research in electronics and computer graphics resulting in numerous exhibitions, published articles, images, books and interactive works.
By the late 1960s Tim was applying aesthetics to electronic circuit design resulting in numerous kinetic artworks, photographs, videos, performances and exhibits. His “Light Machine” series consisted of programmable semiconductor chaos devices designed to transform live and recorded sound into colored light compositions and video. He later used the same devices to guide his music composition.
Since that time Tim also has worked as a professional photographer, shooting a range of subjects — essentially anything his clients could throw at him, from ice cream and designer fashions to product photography, photo illustration, aerials and architectural subjects.
Tim’s experience in commercial media began as an offset lithographic plate maker and has expanded to design, production and art direction for an international client base. He has created numerous magazine ads, brochures, catalogs and posters. Tim’s work in computer graphics began when keyboards were optional and cutting-edge computer graphics were frequently created using arrays of alphanumeric characters. In 1977 he founded Forcade Associates, a photography, design and production company. By the mid-1980s he had integrated computer graphics into Forcade Associates’ practice as well as into his own experimental artworks. Since then he has designed and produced computer graphic imagery and animation for print, CD-ROM interactive, broadcast and DVD.
Tim participated in the emergence and evolution of 2D and 3D computer graphics as an artist, beta tester, author and software development team member. This has enabled him to work with computer media and to affect the media itself by interacting directly with CG programmers and developers. For example, he helped develop the user interface and program functions for a human motion animation program used to create realistic character animation for feature films.
He has been a contributing editor to various computer graphics publications including Computer Graphics World and Computer Artist, as well as a frequent speaker at user group meetings and conventions. He has taught both students and professionals in seminars and courses at Baker University, the University of Kansas, the University of Washington and Alberta College of Art. His books demonstrating animation and visual effects techniques have been distributed worldwide. You can view more of Tim’s work at www.forcadeimages.com.
Through March 8
Collective Identities: Works from the Collection of Bill Tsutsui and Marjorie Swann Bill Tsutsui and Marjorie Swann came to Lawrence in 1993 to take teaching positions at Kansas University in, respectively, the department of history and the department of English. Bill was raised in Texas and Marjorie is Canadian. Neither had any experience of Kansas at the time they arrived but they have learned much about the culture of the state by traveling, writing about its history and developing what Bill calls the “consuming hobby” of collecting Kansas art. They have been collecting since 1999, their first purchase being a woodcut titled “Monday Morning” (1934) by Prairie Printmaker Herschel Logan that they found at ArtFrames in Lawrence. The Lawrence Arts Center presents selections from their collection and offers programs during the exhibition that focus on collecting. “Collecting art is something that we share as a couple, a consuming hobby that we discovered together and have pursued together. We love the process of hunting for new acquisitions not just for the sport, or for the desirable artwork at the end of the trail, but also because we do it together, with a shared passion.” —Bill Tsutsui
March 10
Lawrence Art Auction Donating Artists Appreciation Party Catered by Maceli’s, Donating artists, artists’ families and significant others, please
March 17-April 12
Lawrence Art Auction Preview Exhibition
April 2
Imagination Society Reception for the Lawrence Art Auction Guest Speaker: Tim Forcade, Lawrence Art Auction featured artist
April 4
Lawrence Art Auction Members and Friends Reception Catered by Longhorn Steak House | Guest Speakers: Tim Forcade and donating artists | Open to the public
April 12
Lawrence Art Auction Doors open at 6pm, Silent Auction ends at 7:15pm , Live Auction starts promptly at 7:30pm Auctioneer: Wes Schlobohm of Best Deal Auctions
April 14-18
Lawrence Arts Center Preschool Exhibition
April 21-May 9
Lawrence Public Schools Arts Students Exhibition
May 16-June 20
“Unsung: Artists Under 30” Curated by Molly Murphy, Works by Brandon Marts, Glen Meis, Betsy Timmer, Juniper Tangpuz, Jeremy Rockwell, Josh Adams and Molly Murphy
May 16-June 20
“Short Stories”: New Works by David Loewenstein
Drama Updates and Performances
Theatre at the Center: A great season finishes big!
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
- Friday, February 29—7pm
- Saturday, March 1—7 pm
- Sunday, March 2—2pm
The Opening Night Party comes with your ticket! Stay after and join us for treats, marble shooting, cakewalk, gypsy fortune-telling and more. Meet and greet the cast, as well! Also, if your birthday is on “leap day”(Feb. 29), your ticket is free for that night’s show! Don’t miss this awesome celebration of the timeless classic by Mark Twain. Sponsored by David and Anne Hollond and family, Tom and Barbara Hollister, Local Burger, Pet World and Gould Evans Architects. Tickets: $10 for adults / $8 for students and seniors
Hot Dog Theatre! Puss in Boots
- Saturday, April 26—12:30pm picnic, 2pm performance
One show only — you’ll for sure want to bring the whole family for this great outdoor picnic with hot dogs, chips, fun and a chance to meet the cast. A little history: Puss in Boots was the first play ever done by the Seem-To-Be Players. We’re doing it in April in celebration fo the company’s 35 years of entertaining and educating children and families. Many STBs will be in the show, from companies past and present and even long past. A reception and party for past players follows the performance. Tickets: $10 for adults / $8 for students and seniors
First Saturday Players: Tales, tails and more tales
- Saturday, April 5—2pm Monkey Tales and Tails Sponsored by Lawrence Family Vision Clinic
- Saturday, May 3—2pm Fractured Fairy Tales Sponsored by Bowersock Mills and Vinland Valley Nursery
Our wonderful company of 6th-8th graders puts on “old-style” Seem-To-Be Players-type shows with a few sing-a-longs and great energy. Really fun performances are targeted for the youngest audiences, from ages 2 and up. Directed by Jennifer Glenn, the company will perform the first Saturdays in April and May. Tickets for each performance are $4 per person at the door.
Summer Youth Theatre: Because chivalry and chocolate never get old!
Pre-enrollment begins now for this hyper-popular drama education program.
8th-12th graders will rehearse and perform Cyrano de Bergerac (yep, the large-nosed Musketeer who speaks in poetry; the ’80s movie Roxanne was based on this play), and Camelot (the great King Arthur legend as brought to life by Lerner and Loewe).
4th-7th graders will do Willy Wonka with Oompah Loompahs and everything, and Will Averill’s new comedy, The Sword in the Stone, which tell the tale of King Arthur as a young man.
K-3rd graders can choose from four different two-week (Tuesday-Friday) sessions, with each culminating in a Saturday morning performance. Check page 11 for dates, check your calendar at home for your other activities, don’t forget to leave room for other LAC Art and Dance education classes, and we’ll save you a place.
Auditions (for 4th-7th graders and for 8th-12th graders) are Sunday, April 26, from 1 to 6pm (watch for more information in the summer issue of The Arts in Action). Callbacks will take place Monday and Tuesday, April 27-28.
Hey, kids! Meet us here for Spring Break What to do, what to do? Do theatre — Spring Break Drama Camp, that is! During the week of March 17-21, we will take a fun look at self image by exploring our lives and the lives of fairy tale and fictional characters we adopt along the way. After all, one person’s “wicked witch” might really be the “fairest of them all” when it comes to a beauty contest judged by dragons! Students’ imaginations will be challenged to relate their own lives to those of characters they both admire and find challenging. Cheryl Weaver, Ceri Goulter and staff are teaming up to make this the best camp ever. All campers will meet together to begin each day, but then break into age groups to create a couple of colorful plays for parents and friends to be performed on Friday, March 21, at 2pm. Students will construct their own costumes and sets and do art projects that help display their image of self.
Yes, we’ll accept your donations We’re currently seeking donations for the Drama Program. Some of you may receive a letter asking for support, but you don’t have to wait to be asked! Please feel free to donate now to support your favorite show or the program as a whole. All donors will be listed in all show programs and in upcoming issues of The Arts in Action.
Reel good news: Film and video update
This spring we’re offering one class for youth, but we’re planning many more. We’re also working on purchasing and providing more and newer equipment as we move into the digital age. If you have particular classes or services you’d like to see us offer at the Arts Center in the field of video and film production, please contact Ric Averill at lacdrama@sunflower.com.
DANCE
940 Dance Company news
The 940 Dance Company will be performing their New Works Concert on Thursday and Friday, April 24 and 25, 7:30pm at the Lawrence Arts Center. This concert will be the culmination of a creative, busy season for this company. On the program will be new works by Susan Rieger, the company’s artistic director, as well as premieres by company members Non Edwards, Bobbi Foudree and Marisa MacKay. Rieger is working on a group piece titled “Resilience,” and an untitled duet with dancers Chris Dunn and Bobbi Foudree. In addition to the new pieces, 940 will perform some company favorites including “Diplomacy,” the athletic, driving piece by guest choreographer Dan Stark from the University of Iowa. Dan spent a week in residence with the company in October.
This January and February, the company has been delighted to have a weekly class with Patrick Suzeau from the University of Kansas. We have welcomed the opportunity to learn from his gifts as performer, choreographer and teacher. 940 will be touring to Oakley and Scott City, Kan., for residencies in late February and late March. At each site, the company will be performing a community concert and working in the schools. In May, the 940 dancers will continue to perform “Word Dance” in elementary schools through Young Audiences. In Lawrence, when the weather warms up, you might catch them improvising at sites downtown or in the Art Tougeau parade.
Warm thanks
We send out a sincere thank you to all who participated in and supported the wildly successful production of Snow Queen, particularly those who helped behind the scenes. We thank you very much for your generosity. We couldn’t do this without you! Click Here to see our extensive list of sponsors.
Upcoming dance performances
Our performance classes offer students the opportunity to go beyond routines and recitals into the realm of dancing roles in an actual ballet or storydance. The performers create dance magic together while developing their artistry.
Tails of Beatrix Potter
Saturday, March 8—7pm, Sunday, March 9—2pm
The Lawrence Youth Ballet Company, directed and choreographed by Deborah Bettinger, presents dancers aged 8-17 who bring to life the wonderful characters of Beatrix Potter. The 25-dancer cast explores the adventures of this beloved children’s tale with characters including Jemina Puddle Duck, The Fox, Mrs. Tiggy Winkle, Mrs. Flopsy, Mr. Jeremy Fisher and the entire Pig family. This performance is for children and adults of all ages and is sure to delight.
Kaleidoscope: Advanced Dancers Presents
Friday, April 11—7pm
A special evening of diverse dance is presented by the advanced dancers from the Lawrence Arts Center’s dance program. Highlighting the performance will be the Lawrence Youth Ballet Company advanced dancers directed and choreographed by Deborah Bettinger, and the Pistachio Company directed by Whitney Boomer with original dances choreographed by the company.
Alice in Wonderland
Saturday, April 19—10:30am and 1:30pm
The Peanut, Pretzel, Popcorn and Pistachio Companies present Alice’s adventures in dance. Follow Alice as she meets the White Rabbit, the Caterpillar, the Cheshire Cat and the not-so-nice Queen of Hearts with whom she plays a game of croquet. The cast includes over 30 dancers ranging in age from 5-17 and is directed by Candi Baker, Whitney Boomer, Mary Devlin and Molly Gordon.
New Works Concert 2008
Friday, April 25—7:30pm, Saturday, April 26—7:30pm
Under the artistic direction of Susan Rieger, the exciting 940 Dance Company brings you another year of new works. The evening concert will include new works by Rieger, as well as company members Non Edwards, Bobbi Foudree and Marisa MacKay. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this year’s exciting company.
Dance Gala 2008
Friday, May 16—7pm, Saturday, May 17—10:30am, 1pm and 3pm
Four different Showcases will be presented to celebrate the achievements of the students in the Lawrence Arts Center’s dance program. The Showcases will include ballet, tap, jazz, modern dance, Mexican folkloric and more!
Art Tougeau
If it rides, bring it on...Art Tougeau
In celebration of America’s fascination with all things wheeled, Lawrence holds this event to honor mankind’s large creative cerebral cortex, bipedal locomotion and opposable thumbs. That’s right — it’s time to get ready for the Art Tougeau parade! The 2008 parade rolls though downtown at noon on Saturday, May 17. If it rides, bring it on… you don’t have to have a “car” to be in the parade. Last year the parade saw a record number of pedaled creations.
Our goal is to create an all-inclusive event that is symbolic of humanity’s need for self-expression in the medium of all things wheeled. Once again we will host a pre-parade party that allows families and individuals to bring their car, bicycle or whatever, then paint them while eating popcorn and listening to the music of various local bands. Last year Art Tougeau introduced the Post-Parade Block Party on the east 100 block of 10th Street, complete with bands, cars, bikes, UFOs, food, drink, fun and games. Once again people will be able to view other custom show vehicles from all over the United States and meet their builders.
Art Tougeau celebrates creativity and honors the human spirit with a sense of humor — plus it gives us all a chance to have some good, clean fun on wheels. The entries are beginning to roll in and we can feel the excitement building for this year’s parade.
If you want to learn how to be a part of Art Tougeau 2008 or want to check out some of the cool entries from 2007, please visit www.arttougeau.org
20th Anniversary Honor Recital
The Lawrence Arts Center is pleased to host the Honor Recital concert performance on Sunday, March 9, at 7pm. This year celebrates the 20th anniversary of the event and includes a commemorative booklet highlighting the accomplishments of past winners. The mission of the Honor Recital is to encourage excellence in performance for junior and senior high school students and to provide special recognition for outstanding young musicians in our area. This performance is free to the public and includes a reception following the concert. Please join us!
Langston Hughes Awards Presented
The 12th annual Langston Hughes Creative Writing Awards were presented on Hughes’ birthday, February 1, at the Lawrence Arts Center. Congratulations to Stephen Bunch, the winner for poetry, and to John Mark Connolly, the winner for fiction. The Langston Hughes Awards provide $500 to each writer and record the winners’ names on a permanent plaque in the lobby of the Lawrence Arts Center.
Judges for this year’s award included Maryemma Graham, Arts Center interim director June Jones, Denise Low, Jerry Masinton and Elizabeth Schultz. Also at the event a presen-tation was made by art quilter Marla Jackson of her quilt, “Not Without Laughter: Langston Hughes,” to professor Maryemma Graham. The band, Bopophonics, performed songs that incorporated lyrics from Hughes’ poems.
The Langston Hughes Creative Writing Awards are sponsored by The Raven Bookstore and the Lawrence Arts Center.
Membership at the Lawrence Arts Center
How does it make a difference, and why should I join?
Your membership is critical to the success of the Lawrence Arts Center, and we thank you for your financial support. We depend on members to help us maintain the high standard of quality in our programming and service that the community has come to know and expect.
How does your financial support help, and why should you join or renew?
The Arts Center is a valuable resource in our community: It is a gathering place to enjoy the magical experience of the arts — enriching people’s lives, enhancing our quality of life, and supporting economic development as an attraction to potential businesses and families looking to relocate to this area.
We offer accessible opportunities to anyone wanting to learn more about an art medium, experience live performances, acquaint themselves for the first time with the arts — and, if one is an artist, expand their career options through teaching, exhibition and sales.
As Lawrence continues to grow and change, the Arts Center wants and needs to change, too, continuing to offer arts opportunities to people of all ages, ethnicities, economic backgrounds and abilities. Here are some of the important needs that your membership helps us fulfill:
- Supporting artist-in-residence and visiting artist programs
- Hiring local artists
- Scholarship requests by qualified students
- Outreach programs with community partners
- Retaining and hiring high-quality teachers
- Purchasing necessary equipment and supplies
- Offering new programming
- Web site improvements to provide better information and service
Please join our current members in helping support Arts Center programs, as everyone benefits from a healthy art environment. This is an institution worth supporting and preserving for our community well into the future.
The Arts Center is a qualified 501(c)(3) organization, so your contribution is tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please visit us online today at www.lawrenceartscenter.org or call us at 785-843-2787, and help us build a better and stronger organization!
Souper thanks: You bowled us over!
Thank you to all who attended the 2008 SouperBowl Saturday fund raiser at the Lawrence Arts Center. This was the most successful SouperBowl event to date! A special thanks to Hy-Vee and Great Harvest Bread Company.
Thank you to all donating artists: Ed Noonen, Jessica Conner, Jen Holt, Larry Brow, Dan Anderson, Bob Archambeau, Brad Schwieger, Dave Van Hee, Jenny O’Brien, Brian Stuparyk, Justin Fairchild, Jane Flanders, San Bradshaw, Gary Marckel, David Dunfield, Hollie Rice, Chris Hotvedt, Linda Bush, Dilesh Fernando, Ben Ahlvers, Grant Ahlvers, Max Ahlvers — and to anyone we’ve missed.
In Memory: Richard Schoeck
The Committee on Imagination & Place of the Lawrence Arts Center lost its dear friend and long-time associate Richard Schoeck on January 29. He was a remarkable man, a consummate scholar, who led a good life of learning, teaching, reading, writing, communicating — all with discernment, passion and rigor.
He was born in New York in 1920. In 1949, he graduated with a master’s and doctorate in literature from Princeton University. After service as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II he started his teaching career at Cornell University. He subsequently taught at Notre Dame University, St. Michael’s College, the University of Toronto, and served as chairman of the English department at the University of Colorado and the University of Trier in Germany. In addition, he was director of research at the Folger Shakespeare Library and editor of the Shakespeare Quarterly in Washington, D.C. He also served as a lecturer or scholar at Yale, Princeton, the University of Dallas, College of St. Thomas and Corpus Christi College at Oxford University. He was the recipient of four Fulbright scholarships, a Guggenheim scholarship and a Ford scholarship, as well as several Canada Council Fellowships. His many publications include “Erasmus of Europe,” hundreds of scholarly articles and a number of volumes of literary criticism including a two-volume work with Marshall McLuhan.
Richard began his association with the Committee on Imagination & Place in 2000. He was a presenter at the Committee’s first national conference, “Hypnogeography,” in October 2001. He was the keynote speaker two years later at the second conference, “The Power of Place.” Since that time he has been an important contributor to Imagination & Place monthly meetings and public events. His knowledge, experience, wisdom, high standards of scholarship, and enthusiasm for good conversation and warm friendship have inspired us and endeared him to us. He is irreplaceable and will be missed.
—Rick Mitchell, for the Committee on Imagination & Place of the Lawrence Arts Center
New Exhibition Program Assistant
New exhibition program assistant Bobbi Rahder was hired in January as the exhibition program assistant.
Bobbi has a master’s degree in museum studies from the University of Kansas. She also is a visiting assistant professor at KU in the indigenous nations studies graduate program and the museum studies graduate program. Prior to coming to the Lawrence Arts Center, Bobbi worked in museums and archives in several states for 20 years. She served as director of the Haskell Cultural Center and Museum at Haskell Indian Nations University for a decade, and developed a cultural preservation program and taught classes in the American Indian studies program there, as well. While teaching at KU for the past four years, she helped develop a unique course of study to train indigenous students to become museum managers, archivists and records managers. Bobbi has experience as a museum curator, collections manager, registrar, exhibits curator, grant writer and archivist. She has presented at national and inter-national conferences and published articles in professional museum journals.
As exhibition program assistant, she will assist gallery director Rick Mitchell in preparing exhibitions, coordinating the annual art auction, and developing policies and procedures for the Gallery Program and managing the Gallery Shop.
Local Artist’s Work Selected As Award
Clare Doveton’s oil painting, “Isolario No. 1,” the first in a series, was purchased to be presented as the Mickey Miners Award to Kim Peter Kovac, producing director of theatre programs for family and youth at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The Mickey Miners Award is given by the International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY) organization to recognize lifetime achievement in the field of performing arts for youth.
Ric Averill, drama program director for the Lawrence Arts Center, has been serving for the last four years as a member of the Board of Trustees for IPAY and has been given the annual task of selecting artwork to be given to the award recipient. Past awards have been purchased from Phoenix Glass and the Lawrence Arts Center. Averill is pleased to showcase Lawrence’s talented artists. Kovac was pleased with the artwork which was presented in front of more than 300 artists, managers and presenters of performing arts for youth in Tampa, Fla., on January 26.
Clare’s work can be seen at claredoveton.com.