Kansas State University

search

Beach Blog

Tag: 2022

Take in “Prairie Views”

Summer is here. Now is the perfect time to visit the Beach Museum and take in “Prairie Views”. Nothing compares to the expansive beauty of the Kansas landscape. From sunrise to storms, this exhibition features a selection of works that celebrate the prairie in all its splendor. The show is free and open to the public and is on view now through December 15, 2022, in the Mary Holton Seaton Gallery East.
Landscape painting of storm clouds over a valley

Image: Roy Clinton Langford, Storm Over Kaw Valley, 1954, oil on canvas, 21 1/2 x 29 3/8 in., The Roy C. Langford Collection, gift of the Langford family. 2008.348

Recap: Outstanding collaboration between the Beach Museum of Art & McCain Auditorium

3 Men seated on an auditorium stage

Earlier this month, the Beach Museum of Art in collaboration with McCain Auditorium brought three distinguished guest artists to K-State for a residency and two public programs. This included six-time Grammy winning musician and composer Terence Blanchard, multimedia artist Andrew F. Scott and Oscar winning screenwriter and director Kevin Willmott (pictured left to right). While here, Mr. Blanchard visited Manhattan High School and gave an inspiring speech to students of the junior class. He also attended a rehearsal of Professor Wayne Goins’ K-State Jazz Ensemble where he listened in and led a group critique. That evening at McCain Auditorium, the conversation Art Matters Now: Three Artists Reflect featured a panel discussion between Mr. Blanchard, Mr. Scott and Mr. Willmott. Each shared their thoughts on the enduring legacy of Kansas native Gordon Parks. They explored ideas about how creativity may be used to promote and inspire societal change. Citing a range of mediums including music, art, film and photography, the discussion centered on the role that representation plays in building empathy.

Photo of concert with trumpet and guitar players

A concert held the following night, Presence of Absence: Gordon Parks through an Empathic Lens, featured Terence Blanchard on trumpet along with the E-Collective and the Turtle Island Quartet. Set against a dynamic virtual backdrop, the kaleidoscope of imagery included a montage of Gordon Parks’ photographs juxtaposed with text as well as images from the live performance. Created by artist and digital mastermind Andrew F. Scott, in collaboration with students from UT Dallas and K-State, the visuals evolved in real time in sync with the music. The riveting performance capped off an exceptional series of programs centered on the Beach Museum’s exhibition Gordon Parks: “Homeward to the Prairie I Come” on view in the Pelton Gallery through May 28, 2022. Click here to view the virtual exhibition.

Photos courtesy of Roxanne Minnish.