Old Town Walkabout
Sculptures Available
for Purchase Through the Arts Council at CityArts
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Ed Pogue
"Stainless Column"
$6800 -
Abby Murray
"In Bloom"
$225 -
Greg Johnson "Orchid GT"
$16000 -
Conrad Snider
"Untitled Vessel #204-1"
Price on Request -
Ted Krone
"In the Face of Opposition"
$9000
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2nd Sculpture WalkAbout Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
On Final Friday, May 28 at 6 p.m., outdoors beside the new INTRUST Bank Arena, the Arts Council opened the celebration of twelve new sculptures for downtown Wichita. After music by the Samba Groove had attracted spectators, both Mayor Brewer and BOCC Chair Karl Peterjohn welcomed the crowd and expressed their support for the arts.
Dora Timmerman-Bayer, Sculpture Project Chair, introduced the sculptors represented in this year's show: Conrad Snider, Ed Langston, Beth Vanatta, Ted Krone, Andrew Patton, Greg Johnson, Ed Pogue, and Fred Braht. Then she thanked the project donors: Fidelity Bank, GO Wichita Convention and Visitors Bureau, TCK Trust and Financial Advisors, Wichita Downtown Development Corp., Paul Ross Foundation, Joan Beren, and Dr. Alan and Sharon Fearey.
Jane Suderman presented three cash awards from her husband Fred Suderman's Memorial Fund to the sculptors of three pieces selected by the Suderman family: Ed Langston, Andrew Patton, and Fred Braht.
Debra Cole introduced the ACTeens who were present to pass out our Walkabout Sculpture brochures and answer questions at each sculpture.
And in closing, Judy Goodpasture announced the $100 engraved brick sale to support this project, then invited all to the reception at City Arts. There guests cast ballots for the People's Choice Award and enjoyed the Sculpture Walkabout video. |
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| E-newsletter Naming Contest
Tom Gdisis, Station Manager for KMTW at Fox Kansas, has won our "Name the Newsletter" contest with his entry. "The Patron." As his prize he is receiving two tickets for Music Theatre of Wichita's production of Curtains. We hope he will enjoy seeing the name he suggested heading our newsletter. Thank you Tom and all the others who offered creative suggestions. |
ACTeens Meeting
AT their first ACTeens meeting Debra Cole outlined activities and opportunities for the year, then let the sixteen students from across the city, Andover, and Derby select and decorate empty frames to carry in the Art Parade on May 29. The results were creative and delightful. One young man wore a body art frame. Others decorated their frames with flowers, fake gems, intricate designs, photos, post-cards, and feathers. In the parade they attracted lots of smiles and applause. |
Art Parade
 On Saturday, May 29 from 11 to 12, Arts Council members marched beside our ACTeens in the Art Parade through the Delano District. This parade organized by Kristen Beal-Degrandemont attracted more than forty groups in colorful and creative costumes and very good humor. Jack Silvers organized the Arts Council Board participation, and Debra Cole led the AC Teens on her bike loaded with a basket of candy for tossing to the crowd. Board volunteers passed out Sculpture WalkAbout brochures. A very good time was had by all!
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| Kansas Governor's Art Award Nominations
It's time to nominate citizens who have promoted the arts for the Kansas Governor's Art Awards. The ceremony will be held in the spring of 2011, but the nominations are due Sept. 16, 2010. For more information, email Margaret W. Morris at margaret@arts.ks.gov or check this website, ittp://arts.ks.gov.
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| Advocacy for KAC
In May, Advocacy Committee Chair Joan Cole asked Arts Council board members to support adequate state funding for the Kansas Arts Commission by writing letters and sending emails to legislators. Many board members did so. In spite of statewide support from arts advocates, the KAC's state funds have sustained cuts of 50% over the past two years and today are back to budget levels of 1988.
Cole, also a member of the Kansas Arts Commission, said, "This means that arts supporters must accelerate their efforts to educate legislators on the value of the arts to the state and its citizens and advocate for restored funding to the KAC in the future. We must begin now." Watch this newsletter for future bulletins.
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LIV Festival
The Arts Council contributed to the LIV Music and Arts Festival held June 19 in the Commerce Street area. Our gift helped offset the expenses of sound and lighting for both outdoor stages. Lead festival organizer Adam Hartke said that the LIV Fest "is the first of what [he] hope[s] will be many annual events celebrating the wonderful independent creative culture of Wichita."
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| Position Papers
To assist with the Arts Council's advocacy efforts, the Board adopted four position papers at the June meeting. These papers will allow the Board to respond promptly to advocacy opportunities that arise.
Arts Council Position Statements
1. Support for City Funding of the Arts
The Arts Council supports continuation of the Wichita City Council's commitment to provide funds in the amount of the value of one mill to eligible arts organizations in the community.
· The Arts Council supports the continuation of the Cultural Funding Committee's grants' review process as developed by the CFC and the Division of Art and Cultural Services.
· The Arts Council supports the continuation of the Wichita City Council's commitment to negotiate multi-year contracts with the Group One arts organizations (Botanica, Cowtown, Mid-America All-Indian Center, Wichita-Sedgwick County Historic Museum, and the Wichita Art Museum) and to provide operational funds at appropriate levels.
2. Support for County Funding of the Arts
The Arts Council supports the continuation of the Sedgwick County Commission's Commitment to fund cultural arts organizations in Sedgwick County and its exploration of additional opportunities to partner in the advancement of cultural arts.
3. Support for the Kansas Arts Commission (KAC)
The Arts Council supports increased funding for the Kansas Arts Commission because this organization serves a number of important statewide functions:
· KAC offers state and federal funds to arts organizations across the state.
· Through annual Art Awards, KAC recognizes significant art patrons and volunteers, as well as accomplished arts organizations for their efforts in Kansas.
· KAC informs Kansas arts organizations and supporters of state art events, funding opportunities and issues, as well as national trends and developments.
· KAC coordinates statewide action to support the arts.
· KAC serves as a forum to present the arts in Kansas to the rest of the country.
· KAC offers up-to-date training in critical areas, such as arts management, board development, and financial accountability.
4. Support for Fine Arts Education in the Public Schools
The Arts Council supports fine arts education in the schools as an integral part of every child's education.
· Fine arts classes help students discover new abilities in the arts.
· Fine arts classes help students think creatively and explore new modes od thought.
· Fine arts classes broaden a child's education, as well as his or her view of life.
· Fine arts classes often help students "connect" with their teachers and their assigned tasks. At times these classes help keep students in school. Fine arts classes can function as a deterrent to a rising drop-out rate.
· Research has shown that children who are exposed to fine arts education achieve at a higher level in all academic areas.
· Fine arts classes provide a "real life" application of subject matter taught in core curriculum subjects, such as mathematics and language arts.
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