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McPherson College Seniors in Art Present Final Exhibition

Posted On: May 12, 2016
By: MC Admin

A mysterious fishing tackle box, eyes that are truly windows to the soul, and an unusual number of tentacles are some of the highlights of the final McPherson College senior exhibition now on display.

The annual senior exhibitions are an opportunity for graduating MC seniors in visual arts to show their work from across their college career. Currently about 150 pieces are on display from Jasmine Regehr. McPherson, Kan.; Michael Ramos, Sachse, Texas; Bailley McKinley, Derby, Kan.; Ste’fon Walker, Mendenhall, Miss.; Nathan Holthus, McPherson, Kan.; and Melicia Foster, McPherson, Kan.

Regehr included a number of works in the exhibition that tended to feature squid-like tentacles emerging from objects that truly shouldn’t have them – an owl, a songbird, a clay pot. She majored in both the studio and graphic design tracks at in the department and said that learning about graphic design has proven a challenge for her. She tends to prefer a brush in hand, she said, and found herself more perfectionistic when doing graphic art. She also notices art more in the everyday.

“I find that I’m a lot more aware of everything in my surroundings,” she said. “It’s a completely new feeling to be aware of all the creative ideas that are out there, as well as the ones that are waiting to be discovered.”

Walker, who is displaying multiple examples of his sharp, clean graphic design, said he developed during his education and will continue to do so.

“As a graphic designer, I am in a constant state of growth,” he said. “I am growing as an artist and also as a person.”

One wall of the exhibition hall may appear to be staring back at the observer, thanks to a number of large charcoal drawings by Ramos. Each is an extreme view of an eye, with some scene reflected in its center.

“I am very fascinated by the human eye and it amazes me how something so small can survey a world that is so large,” he said. “The iris captures everything a person goes through. Imagine being able to look in a person’s eye and see exactly what that person has seen and been through.

He said the interpretation of each piece is up to the viewer.

“Some may see tragedy. Some may see love. Some may see fear,” he said, “but it all is based on what the viewer is thinking and feeling.”

The section for Bailley McKinley’s art includes a variety of ceramic pieces but is dominated by three huge oil paintings – each a portrait completed in a different monochrome scheme. McKinley said each painting depicts a different individual she knows in real life, who encountered and influenced each other like the ripples on a pond.

“Every time we interact with each other, our ripples are transformed,” she said. “I believe these interactions change the course of our journey that lies ahead.”

The senior exhibition will continue through May 15 in Friendship Hall on the McPherson College campus, and will include with a public reception for the seniors on Friday, May 13, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

McPherson College Band POPS Concert May 2

Posted On: April 27, 2016
By: MC Admin

Lovers of great band music will have the opportunity to hear a free POPS concert on May 2, featuring the McPherson College Concert Band, McPherson College Jazz Band and the McPherson County Jazz Horn Quartet.

Kyle Hopkins, director of bands at McPherson College, said that the opportunity to perform for the community was always a privilege. In particular, the jazz band is a relatively new addition to the college’s co-curricular offerings.

“The band program is going through a dynamic ‘boom period’ and our jazz band represents that growth, energy and excitement,” Hopkins said. “These students give up their lunch breaks on Wednesdays and Fridays to come together and play some great jazz music.”

The outdoor concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Lakeside Park Band Shell in McPherson at 510 Lakeside Drive. Due to the weather the performance will be in Brown Auditorium on the McPherson College campus, 1600 E. Euclid St.The concert is free and open to the public, and Hopkins said they are particularly excited to have a special guest out of Lindsborg, Kan. – the McPherson County Jazz Horn Quartet.

Selections will include a mix of band and jazz band music such as Don Menza’s “Beulah Witch” played by the jazz band and John Philip Sousa’s “Sabre and Spur” and Carl Strommen’s “Prairiesong” played by the concert band.

 

C.A.R.S. Club Show Coming April 30 To McPherson College Campus With Special Feature Vehicles

Posted On: April 27, 2016
By: MC Admin

Classic cars are typically split into two eras – pre-WWII and post WWII – and this year’s 17th annual C.A.R.S. Club Car Show will have double the usual number of featured cars to represent iconic vehicles from both periods.

Jason Peters, senior, McPherson, Kan., is secretary for C.A.R.S. Club this year and is the primary organizer of the student-run show. Peters said that among the featured cars will be a 1908 Haynes Apperson, a 1929 Duesenberg Model J Sedan, a 1953 Manta Ray, and a 1956 Continental Mark II.

Peters said as they began to secure feature cars, a clear pattern emerged.

“It became apparent that not only were the feature cars falling into a couple of distinct eras,” he said, “but that America has always produced very luxurious and special automobiles, even from the very beginning. We feel very fortunate to be displaying some of the finest representations of these beautiful automobiles.”

The show has been moved up from its usual weekend on the first Saturday of May. The show will be held to April 29 to May 1 instead so that students won’t have to put on the show immediately before finals week.

In addition to the primary car show on Saturday, April 30, the weekend will again include a cruise-in on Friday night and a swapmeet on Sunday – successful additions to the show that were new last year.

Visit www.mcpherson.edu/autorestoration/cars to learn more about the show and to register a vehicle. The registration fee to enter a vehicle in one of the many show categories is $20, but the event is free for the public to attend. The public is encouraged to come and view the approximately 250 vehicles expected to be on display on the McPherson College campus.

 

17th Annual C.A.R.S. Club Car Show at McPherson College
10 a.m. – 4 p.m., April 30

Feature cars
Pre-WWII: 1904 Haynes Apperson, 1929 Duesenberg Model J Sedan, 1931 Auburn Cabriolet Coupe, 1940 Cadillac V-16 Convertible Coupe by Fleetwood
Post-WWII: 1947 Chrysler Town & Country Woody Convertible, 1953 Manta Ray, 1956 Continental Mark II, 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible

Central Kansas League Art Festival at McPherson College Provides One-Day Competition to High School Artists

Posted On: April 27, 2016
By: MC Admin

Don’t blink – you just might miss what’s quite likely the shortest art exhibit in Kansas.

For the sixth straight year, the Central Kansas League has accepted McPherson College’s invitation to hold its annual art festival in the professional-level gallery space and classrooms at MC. It’s a frenetic, exciting event as a full exhibition is put up and taken down, all within the space of a few hours.

Looking at the approximately 350 works on display, this year’s jurist – Teresa Preston of Hutchinson Community College – said she was impressed by the students’ evident talent.

“I know my job is going to be hard today,” Preston said. “Which is great because it means the arts are still alive in rural Kansas.”

The festival was on April 27, and offers workshops and a professionally juried, one-day exhibition for some of the best student artists at Sterling, Halstead, Hesston, Hillsboro, Haven, Kingman, Lyons, Nickerson, Pratt, Smoky Valley (Lindsborg), Larned and Hoisington.

About 110 high school students brought work in a wide variety of media, and on all manner of subjects and styles. The art included everything from a portrait on newspaper and ink, to fabric batik of abstract human forms, to a colored pencil drawing of swallows growing lavender from their wings.

While their work was judged, the young high school artists got to learn new skills in professional-level workshops – including jewelry, watercolors, packaging design, portraiture, and oil painting.

Wayne Conyers, McPherson College professor of art, said that the league festival used to be held in high school gymnasiums, with work hung on chicken wire. The workshops, meanwhile, were often held in unsuitable classrooms and even hallways.

In 2010, the head of the league that year proposed that the next festival be held at McPherson College. Conyers arranged to have MC as the festival’s host for 2011. The league has asked McPherson College to host the festival every year since.

Now instead of gymnasiums, students hang their work in McPherson College’s Friendship Hall gallery. Instead of hallways, high school students get to experience true college-level art studios.

 

The award winners in the 2016 Central Kansas League Art Festival exhibition are:

Best of Show: Anna Carroll, Sterling – “Youthful Stare”

Gold Medals:

  • Michaela Fisher, Halstead – “Meggie”
  • Tristan Smith, Larned – “Self-Portrait”
  • Karen Rodriguez, Lyons – “Lady in the Window”
  • Alyssa Carlson, Smoky Valley – “Self-Portrait”
  • Teressa Cooper, Smoky Valley – “Good Times”
  • Beck Elliot, Smoky Valley – “Bird”
  • Allison Rose, Smoky Valley – “Rainy Day”
  • Erin Anderson, Sterling – “One Direction”
  • Julie Carroll, Sterling – “Youthful Stare”
  • Codi Custer, Sterling – “Time Passes”
  • Jody Gunther, Sterling – “City Lights”
  • Veronica Norez, Sterling – “Get Me Out” and “Cobblestone Way”
  • Shelby Schroeder, Sterling – “Illuminated”
  • Kaci Wilson, Sterling – “Peaks” and “En Pointe”

Silver Medals:

  • Layke Heimerman, Halstead – “Mother to Mother” and “Mother Theresa”
  • Jennifer Applequist, Larned – “Saluki”
  • Lauren Mauley, Lyons – “In Thought”
  • Baily Bolden, Smoky Valley – “Violin”
  • Alyssa Carlson, Smoky Valley – “Flower Child”
  • Beck Elliot, Smoky Valley – “Talon” and “Torso”
  • Allison Rose, Smoky Valley – “The City”
  • Kathryn Wilson, Smoky Valley – “Holocene”
  • Conan Ball, Sterling – “Brown, Blue, Gold”
  • Codi Custer, Sterling – “Venice”
  • Jody Gunther, Sterling – “Enduring Love”
  • Emma Horsch, Sterling – “Clunker”
  • Harrison Randolph, Sterling – “The Fox”
  • Kennedy Klein, Hillsboro – “The Eye”

Honorable Mention:

  • Cara Weber, Halstead – Untitled
  • Katrina Heinrichs, Hesston – “Lavender Swallows”
  • Brenna Peters, Hesston – “Let’s Play Chess”
  • Allison Gray, Hillsboro – “Look”
  • Lydia Kliewer, Hillsboro – “The Lonely Screw”
  • Nick Doerschlag, Hoisington – “Racoon”
  • Courtney Beck, Kingman – “Prisoner of War”
  • Jennifer Applequist, Larned – “Self-Portrait”
  • Maddie McAllister, Lyons – “Seth”
  • Mallory Vesper, Lyons – “Ballerina”
  • Jessica Weiford, Lyons – “Mom & Baby”
  • Joshua Johnson, Nickerson – “Oak Leaf”
  • Bre Becker, Pratt – Untitled
  • Alyssa Carlson, Smoky Valley – “Beads”
  • Meredith Galloway, Smoky Valley – “Feather Frenzy”
  • Emi Johnson, Smoky Valley – “Grandpa”
  • Julia Wilson, Smoky Valley – “Vase”
  • Kelsie Boeken, Sterling – “Overturned”
  • Anna Carroll, Sterling – “String Music”
  • Jody Gunther, Sterling – “Books”
  • Veronica Noret, Sterling – “Sparks”
  • Jessica Ricker, Sterling – “Reflected Glory”
  • Maddie Thrasher, Sterling – “Take a Peek”

Choir returns home from Midwest tour, joined by local guests

Posted On: April 20, 2016
By: MC Admin

The McPherson College Choirs will present their home concert on Monday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Brown Auditorium on the McPherson College campus. After a five-day tour of Eastern Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, the choir will be joined by the Moundridge High School Choir at the concert.

Dr. Josh Norris, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities, said the choirs have been looking forward to their Midwest tour since the beginning of the academic year. Singing at high schools and churches in Warrensburg, Mo.; Stillwater, Okla.; and Norman, Okla., the choir will be presenting a concert entitled “Madness or Genius?” The musical selections are all pieces that to some in history might have been considered “mad” while others in their time and ours have considered them to be works of “genius.”

The home concert on April 25 will feature two works written in the 20th century by the composers Igor Stravinsky and Benjamin Britten. The choirs will be joined by the Moundridge High School Choir on the Britten work “Rejoice in the Lamb.” Featured alongside the guest choir from Moundridge will be guest organist, Dr. Melody Steed of Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan.

“I am so proud that the Moundridge High School Choir will be joining us on the Britten work,” Dr. Norris said. “I have spent the last few months rehearsing the high school choir a few days each week to get them ready for this collaboration. They have worked very hard to rise to the performance level that this music requires. I am honored that the Moundridge High School Choir director Kim Kellum has entrusted me to work with her students and we are so grateful to the Moundridge High faculty and parents who have supported these students as they have prepared for this evening. I know everyone will have an awesome experience.”

Norris also said he was excited that Dr. Kim Cash on McPherson College faculty and Dr. Melody Steed will collaborate on a work for choir and two pianos – Stravinsky’s “Symphony of Psalms.”

“The Stravinsky has been some of the most difficult music that my college students have ever undertaken and we are so blessed to have two fine keyboard players in the area who will make the performance here in McPherson a truly outstanding success,” Norris said.

The McPherson College Choir’s Annual Pie and Coffee Social will follow the concert. All are invited and encouraged to attend this free event.

‘Hotel Paradiso’ at McPherson College Moves Bedroom Farce from France to New Orleans

Posted On: April 11, 2016
By: MC Admin

This year’s theatre season at McPherson College has been marked by some surprising shifts in setting – Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” in a pirate cove, “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” on a gigantic artist’s drafting table, and the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare in a “steampunk” forest.

The final show of the season – “Hotel Paradiso” – fits right into the theme.

The classic French “bedroom farce” by George Feydeau and Maurice Desvallieres (translated by Peter Grenville) will be shifted from Paris, France, to the creole streets of New Orleans, La., for the MC performance April 15 and 16.

Mary Hughes, a 2008 alumna of MC and McPherson resident, is the guest director for the show and said she saw strong parallels between France and New Orleans. Even in the script there were clear connections, such as when a character speaks of the “honor of French chivalry” being at stake.

“You can put ‘Southern chivalry’ in there and it would fit perfectly,” Hughes said. “When we hit upon New Orleans for the setting, it’s like the lights came on,”

This is the senior show for Whitney Jefferson of Houston, Texas. She said that “Hotel Paradiso” starts off as a “spicy” performance, but the New Orleans settings and Mardi Gras colors of green, purple and gold in the set and costumes take it to a new level.

“We were thinking of ways we could spice it up even more,” she said, “or throw it off more… However you want to look at it.”

In “Hotel Paradiso,” the hero’s neighbor complains that her husband shows her no attention. So they make plans to steal off for a night of frivolity in a cheap hotel that charges by the hour. Set in 1910, the comedy comes from a series of unlikely arrivals of all characters. They sneak through the halls and rooms of Hotel Paradiso, trying to maintain propriety and avoid being caught in bad behavior.

Hughes said the show features a unique set – with cutaway walls that give the impression the audience is peeking into secret rooms – and period costumes, including corsets for the women.

“It changes the way they hold themselves and walk,” she said, “and it gives them a better feel for that period in time.”

The show will create an exciting evening for audiences, Hughes said.

“If they’re looking for an evening of fast-paced fun and entertainment, this will be the show for them,” she said. “It’s lively and has energy.”

All shows start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to all shows cost $5 for adults and $3.50 for children ages high school and younger as well as seniors. Reservations may be made by contacting the theatre box office at 620-242-0444 or at [email protected].

Cast is: James Covel, senior, Wichita, Kan. (Boniface); Aubrey Hollinger, sophomore, Lyons, Kan. (Angelique); Whitney Jefferson, senior, Houston, Texas (Marcelle); Austin Crosby, sophomore, McPherson, Kan. (Cot); Grant Tuttle, sophomore, Lewiston, Neb. (Max); Madison O’Brien, freshman, Dighton, Kan. (Victoria); Logan Schrag, sophomore, McPherson, Kan. (Martin); Don Bell, sophomore, Kansas City, Kan. (First Porter, Policeman); Brett Crist, freshman, Quinter, Kan. (Second Porter, Policeman, A Duke); Karl Timmerman, junior, Tulsa, Okla. (Third Porter, Policeman); Georgia Smart, senior, Ormond, Australia (Violette); Callie Atkins, junior, Stillwater, Okla. (Marguerite); Whitney Murray, sophomore, Kansas City, Kan. (Paquerette); Aysia Pryor, freshman, Wichita, Kan. (Pervenche); Josh Hall, senior, Tonganoxie, Kan. (Anniello); Ashley Burch, freshman, Pittsburg, Kan. (Georgia); Karlene Tyler ’75, director of alumni and constituent relations (A Lady); Brandt Busse ’06, director of residence life (Tabu); Brenda Tejero, senior, Aurora, Colo. (Police Inspector).

Crew is: Mary Hughes ’08, McPherson, Kan. (Director); Joshua Hall (Stage Manager); Rick Tyler ’74, professor of speech and theatre (Technical Director, Set and Costume Design); Austin Crosby (Lighting Design); Nora Grosbach, sophomore, Evergreen, Colo. (Sound Design); Crystal Osner, senior, Conway Springs, Kan.; Ashley Burch; Nora Grosbach (Costume Shop); Austin Crosby; Lucas Jez, freshman, Westfield, Mass.; Mason Polston, freshman, Emporia, Kan.; Phil Reinhardt, freshman, Tenants Harbor, Maine; Karl Timmerman (Scene Shop); Kaleena Nelson, freshman, Spring Hill, Kan. (Properties); Abby Trenkle (Box Office).

McPherson College Hosts Important Statewide Science Meeting for First Time in 60 Years, Offers Free Lecture from Meteorite Expert

Posted On: March 30, 2016
By: MC Admin

The last time McPherson College hosted the Kansas Academy of Science’s annual meeting in the 1950s, man had not walked on the moon, the structure of DNA was a cutting-edge discovery, and the computer mouse was still years away.

A lot has changed between then and now, with MC hosting the joint meeting of the KAS and the Kansas Entomological Society on campus, for only the second time in history. The meeting on April 1 and 2 is expected to bring about 135 academy and society members, and will also offer a free public lecture about meteorites on Friday evening.

Dr. Dustin Wilgers, assistant professor of biology, helped organize this year’s meeting. He expected the lecture, by Dr. Devin Schrader from the Center of Meteorite Studies at Arizona State University, will appeal to a wide audience.

“It’s one of those topics that piques a lot of interest,” Dr. Wilgers said. “Everybody has stargazed, taken a look up, and wondered what is going on out there.”

Dr. Schrader’s lecture will be the inaugural event for a new Nininger Lecture in science. Named after the former MC professor Dr. Harvey H. Nininger – known as the Father of Modern Meteoritics – the lecture will highlight sciences of all sorts.

Given that Nininger went on from MC to found the Center of Meteorite Studies in Arizona, having a scientist who benefits from that legacy is fitting.

“Meteorites: Past, Present, and Future” will be from 7:30-8:30 p.m., Friday, April 1 in Mingenback Theatre on the campus of McPherson College.

Dr. Wilgers said the KAS/KES meeting was a wonderful opportunity for the college because it will bring scientists at all levels in Kansas to McPherson and expose students to the kind of science that happening allow over the state. He is expecting 135 attendees and about 80 presentations of scientific research in both poster and verbal presentations. These presentations will range from scientists from undergraduate college students through to career professionals.

“At this meeting, our students will be presenting alongside the major research institutions in the state,” Dr. Wilgers said. “I think it’s exciting for a liberal arts school to be able to do that.”

Art Educators Exhibition at McPherson College Presents Record Number of Works from Area Teachers

Posted On: March 28, 2016
By: MC Admin

Art teachers are simply busy people. Finding the time for teaching is hard enough, let alone making one’s own art and then submitting to exhibitions.

Fortunately, that’s where the annual Central Kansas Art Educators Exhibition, created and hosted by McPherson College, helps out.

Wayne Conyers, professor of art, has extended the invitation to area art teachers and retirees to contribute works to the exhibition for 14 years. The show gives these educators an opportunity to display their work in a professional gallery space – the college’s Friendship Hall – with a minimum of difficulty.

The exhibition is a bit like a second Christmas for Conyers, as he never knows how many works of art are going to arrive or what he will unwrap when they get here.

“I always look forward to this show,” Conyers said. “I’ve never had so many people bring in so many multiple works.”

Those multiple entries meant a noteworthy surprise – while the number of artists showing is similar to previous years at 25, the exhibit this year sets a new record for number of works in the show, with 116.

That number represents a wide diversity of artistic ideas and media: A huge painting of Abraham Lincoln in shades of red, overlaid with a regular pattern of bright yellow No. 2 pencils. A sculpture of a pregnant woman in wireframe metal, with a round clay ball showing the developing baby. Small but detailed metal “steampunk fish” ornaments.

The Central Kansas Art Educators Exhibition is on display now through Sunday, April 10. That afternoon will also have a closing reception for the artists in Friendship Hall. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

The artists currently exhibiting their work in Friendship Hall are:

  • Craig Boyers, USD 400 (Lindsborg, Kan.)
  • Natalie Brown, Derby High School
  • James Caldwell, Halstead High School
  • Reta Caldwell, Wichita, Kan. (Retired, Beloit Elementary School)
  • Casey Callis, Abilene Middle School
  • Christine Emond, Caldwell Elementary School (Wichita, Kan.)
  • Stacy Hall, McPherson High School
  • Betty Jo Houchen, McPherson, Kan. (Retired, Haven Elementary School and McPherson High School)
  • Kathryn Cockriel Janzen ’92, Griffith Elementary School (Wichita, Kan.)
  • Lana Kaylor, Andover High School
  • Elizabeth Liljegren, McPherson, Kan. (retired, McPherson High School)
  • Lori Martin-Price, Elyria Christian School (McPherson, Kan.), Hutchinson Community College, & Wichita Center for the Arts
  • Jerry Major, Chapman Middle School
  • Sharon Matz, Lincolnville, Kan.
  • Wyatt McCrea, Wichita Public Schools (retired)
  • Shawny Montgomery, Cheney High School
  • Phyllis Newson, Lindsborg, Kan. (retired)
  • Raymond Olais, Newton High School
  • Bethany Schoenwetter ’12, McPherson High School
  • Kathy Schroeder, Hesston, Kan. (retired)
  • Micah Snider, Wichita North High School
  • Mary Ann Tanking, Salina, Kan. (retired, Southeast of Saline and Kansas Wesleyan University)
  • Kent Thompson, Osborne, Kan. (retired)
  • Beth Vannata, Hutchinson High School and Hutchinson Community College (retired)
  • Peggy Wambold, Newton, Kan. (retired, Clyde, Kan., and McCook, Neb.)

1,000 Students Perform at McPherson College For Central Kansas League Music Festival

Posted On: March 11, 2016
By: MC Admin

Jumbled Instrument cases, formal clothes, and beautiful music all across campus – as 1,000 students arrived March 9, McPherson College was transformed into the grounds of a huge music festival.

This is the second year that McPherson College has served as host for the Central Kansas League Music Festival. Student musicians came from Lyons, Sterling, Halstead, Hillsboro, Kingman, Nickerson, Pratt, Hesston, Larned, Hoisington, Smoky Valley and Sterling to perform and compete.

Dr. Joshua Norris, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities, said having so many student groups on campus was a wonderful experience.

“We are so excited to host the Central Kansas League Music Festival again this year at McPherson College,” he said. “The 1,000 students visiting our campus today represent the finest musicians that many of these area schools have. We feel very lucky to be able to hear them, help them progress in their performance skills and to have the opportunity to meet them, their families and the schools they represent while they’re with us.”

The performances on Wednesday represented solos and groups of all sizes – trios, quartets, quintets, sextets, and various other large groups.

Audiences also got to experience diverse musical genres and styles – from small-group acapella singing to small-group jazz, large-group concert choir standards to percussion ensemble performance, and classical full symphony orchestra selections to big-band dance numbers.

The festival was so large, if fact, that the performances not only filled up every available large performance space on campus – such as Brown Auditorium and Mingenback Theatre – but also rooms in Hess Fine Arts Center and Miller Library. Performances even spilled out to the off-campus venues of the Church of the Brethren and Trinity Lutheran Church sanctuaries.

Shawn Knopp, director of bands for Smoky Valley and the festival manager, praised Dr. Norris; Kyle Hopkins, associate professor of music and director of bands; and all those who supported the festival across campus.

“I am thankful that McPherson College is willing to serve as the host site for the Central Kansas League Music Festival,” Knopp said. “I am especially thankful for all of the students and staff of McPherson College who volunteer their time to help run the festival.”

To learn more about the festival and hear the 2016 festival performances, visit https://sites.google.com/a/smokyvalley.org/central-kansas-league-music-festival/home

McPherson College Art Professors, Students Stand Out in Professional Kansas Exhibitions

Posted On: March 9, 2016
By: MC Admin
"Lola Dancing With Arnie" by Michaela Groeblacher, assistant professor of art

“Lola Dancing With Arnie” by Michaela Groeblacher, assistant professor of art

McPherson College students and professors have distinguished themselves in recent regional art exhibitions.

Four MC students had their work on display in “Crazy 8’s” at Gallery XII in Wichita in February, and Wayne Conyers, professor of art, took best of show in the unique exhibition. Meanwhile, Michaela Groeblacher, assistant professor of art, took first place for her work overall in the national “Topeka Competition 32” exhibition for the three works accepted into the show, which was at the Sabatini Gallery in Topeka, Kan., in January.

Conyers said the students who entered Crazy 8’s were Chloë Cloud, freshman, Wichita, Kan.; Danna Jacks, senior, Stafford, Kan.; Ian Rhoten, freshman, Wichita, Kan.; and Lisa Koehn, senior, Wichita, Kan.

The rules of Crazy 8’s are simple, Conyers said. All of the submitted works must be exactly 8 inches by 8 inches – no bigger, no smaller. The works from MC students demonstrate the variety possible within those constrains, however. Cloud created a “luscious,” close-up image of a face; Jacks made a mixed-media work incorporating postage stamps; Rhoten made a refined graphic illustration on computer; and Koehn drew a lock on a chain-link fence that, upon close inspection, is found to be covered in words.

“Everybody did something different,” Conyers said. “Which, of course, is what we’re after.”

As for Conyers, he also entered the exhibition with an 8 by 8 watercolor study of a larger work under development. The juror of Crazy 8’s liked the work so much that he selected it as the Best in Show almost immediately, and then purchased the watercolor for himself.

“For some reason it stood out,” Conyers said.

Groeblacher also was recently honored for the three works she entered into the “Kansas Competition 32” in Topeka. She has had works accepted to the show in previous years, but this proved a particularly good show. All three of the works she submitted for consideration to the show – “Lola, Dancing with Arnie,” “Hardy, Martie,” and “Helen” – were accepted. Those works garnered her top honors for her overall work in the show.

Since 1977 the juried show, sponsored by the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, has been providing a venue for 3-D art. This year, artists were asked to submit work on a theme of “History.”