SABATINI GALLERY & SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

Kansas Impressions next at Sabatini Gallery: From October 3–November 14 you'll be introduced to some of the most prominent, historical Kansas artists and founding members of the Topeka arts community, many of whom studied at the Art Students League of New York. On display will be works immediately influenced by Impressionism, the 19th-century radical Parisian art movement dominating the art scene of these Kansans' era. Works include pieces from the Library's permanent collection as well as selections on loan from the Mulvane Art Museum at Washburn University and the Skoog Collection. Featured artists include John Steuart Curry, Birger Sandzén, Robert Sudlow, George Stone, Mary Huntoon, Avis Chitwood, Robert Merrell Gage, Lester Gillette, Frances Whittemore, Helen Hodge, Clarisse Laurent, Walter Palmer, Charles Marshall, David Overmyer and Pauline Shirer. This exhibit is dedicated to the memory of Beth Skoog, collector, mother, grandmother and local art patron.

Altered Books @ TSCPL September 27–November 7, 2008: Only in its second year at TSCPL and already doubling in participation and popularity, Special Collections Librarian Brea Black's altered book project has generated considerable excitement in teaching people how to infuse damaged, discarded or outdated books with new life. Beginning with a workshop, Black and staff partner Kate Hughes (Event Resources) presented techniques for altering a book (cut, paste, rebind, stamp, etc.), then participants chose a book and were given a month to complete their submission. Why alter a book? It allows you to express your creativity and recycle at the same time. Note: only books rescued from the trash were used for this project, meaning they no longer functioned properly (torn, missing pages, outdated) and could not be sold in the Booktique or at the annual Friends Booksale. No circulating or sellable books were used. Investigate further at the International Society of Altered Book Artists' website here. For more information or if you'd like to get on board for next year, call Brea Black at 580-4512 or email bblack@tscpl.org.

Announcing the Larry Peters and Barbara Waterman-Peters Endowed Art Fund. Did you know TSCPL owns the oldest public art collection in the city? Yep, it's over 125 years old and continues to grow through generous donors, an annual budget and support from the Friends of the Library. But as Larry Peters, former Director of the Sabatini Gallery for almost 30 years, notes, "I remember numerous occasions when my allocation simply did not allow the purchase of even a small piece from a major artist". In conjunction with the Library Foundation, both Larry and artist/wife Barbara Waterman-Peters have established a way to supplement the Sabatini's annual art budget, which is extremely generous and equally exciting. If you want to participate, download the form here or go to the Library Foundation website here, click on "Donate Now" and select "Network for Good". Thanks Larry and Barbara for helping us continue to grow! 

Interationally reknowned artist, Lauren Greenfield, to exhibit photographs from her book, Girl Culture. Girl Culture has become the definitive photographic documentation on American girls in the 21st century. Now in its fourth edition, the book is a ground-breaking exploration of girls' relationships with their bodies and the popular culture. The traveling show, originating at the Center for Creative Photography, has toured museums and galleries throughout North America, Europe and Russia where it has been seen by over 600,000 people. It had an all-time attendance record at the Minneapolis Center for Photography, and at the Tufts University Tisch Gallery in Medford, MA. Funded by the Junior League of Topeka, Girl Culture is not to be missed. Look for related programming from the Sabatini Gallery to include a postcard project, a round table discussion with community volunteers who work closely with the effects of poor body image or within the body-as-commodity profession, and a screening of her new HBO documentary, Kids + Money, and earlier documentary film, Thin. In the meantime, preview Greenfield's work (as well as selections from the travelling exhibit) at her website. Exhibit runs March 6–April 17, 2009. Viewer discretion advised. All images ©Lauren Greenfield. Exhibit circulated by Greenfield/Evers, LLC.

Click on these Lauren Greenfield books to find them in the Library:

         

ART GRANTS and COMPETITIONS

Juried Visual Arts Contest: As part of its mission to identify artists who are in need of financial assistance order to reach their goals, the Joyce Dutka Arts Foundation is sponsoring a juried visual arts contest. Artwork must fall into one of the following categories: oil, acrylic and mixed media. All subjects and styles are eligible. Artists will have their work exhibited and offered for sale at Madison Avenue's Hollis Taggert Gallery. Entry requires a non-refundable application fee of $25. Visit the website for complete information, guidelines and the foundation's other programs. Cash awards up to $5,000. Deadline for entries is December 1, 2008.