01/09/12

Story by Diane Carroll

'Abstract Kansas City' Reception

'Abstract – Kansas City' reception at Nerman Museum

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – A reception for the exhibition Abstract – Kansas City, currently on view at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at Johnson County Community College, will be held in the museum Atrium from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13. Rashawn Griffin – a hole-in-the-wall country and Mound – Allison Schulnik will also be on view at the Nerman that evening. The reception is free and open to the public.

Spanning 50 years of abstraction in Kansas City, the exhibition celebrates the 30^th anniversary of Johnson County Community College’s art collection. It also reflects the college's and museum's depth of commitment to artists who have a biographical or geographical connection to the Kansas City area. Initiated in 1981, the JCCC collection exceeded 1,000 works of contemporary art in January 2011. Approximately 30 percent of the permanent collection now showcases the achievements of artists associated with metropolitan Kansas City.

The exhibit focuses upon a rich history of abstract painting in Kansas City, but also extends to works on paper, photography and clay. Ranging from artist Wilbur Niewald’s 1961 landscape-inspired watercolor to Lauren Mabry’s 2011 cylindrical vessel, the show provides an opportunity to establish dialogue between the 34 works on view. It is also an opportunity to glimpse varying approaches to abstraction, as well as the sensibilities and affinities of the 32 artists included in the exhibition.

Additionally, Abstract – Kansas City features many recent acquisitions to the museum’s permanent collection. Acquired during 2011, 10 of the 34 works on view are being exhibited for the first time in the museum.

The Nerman museum has long supported area artists through acquisitions, exhibitions and its Third Thursday lecture series. The Barton P. and Mary D. Cohen Gallery on the museum's second floor is dedicated to regional artists.

"It’s essential for institutions to support artists affiliated with Kansas City," said Bruce Hartman, the museum's executive director. "Many nationally acclaimed artists have close ties with our community."

Artists included in the exhibition are Corrie Baldauf, James Brinsfield, Joe Bussell, Dan Christensen, Brian Fahlstrom, Nate Fors, Lester Goldman, David Harrison, Rachel Hayes, Ke-Sook Lee, Jim Leedy, Anne Lindberg, Lauren Mabry and Grant Miller.

Also in the exhibition are Amy Myers, Wilbur Niewald, Garry Noland, John Ochs, Sharon Patten, Vince Roark, Warren Rosser, Eric Sall, Ron Slowinski, Kent Michael Smith, Jered Sprecher, Caleb Taylor, Larry Thomas, Mary Wessel, Stanley Whitney, Sandy Winters, Matt Wycoff and Andrzej Zielinski.

The museum's hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday noon to 5 p.m.; closed Mondays and college holidays.

Admission to the Nerman and parking are free. For more information, call 913-469-3000.

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