Spencer Museum of Art

Events Calendar

All events are free and open to everyone unless otherwise noted. See individual listings for events that require registration.

October 20

Activity

Art Cart Migration Washi Tape Collage

1PM – 4PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, DOLPH SIMONS FAMILY GALLERY, 316

The Art Cart is a drop-in activity station where children and grown-ups enjoy hands-on art projects together, taking inspiration from original works of art on view. Learn about Haitian history and migration and create a washi tape collage with staff members from the Spencer and KU’s Natural History Museum. The Art Cart is supported by Midco.

October 21

Talk

Slow Art Sunday Asefi (enough daughters)

2PM – 3PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, DOLPH SIMONS FAMILY GALLERY, 316

Slow down at the Spencer and spend time getting to know one great work of art. Slow Art Sundays feature one work for visitors to contemplate and converse about with Museum staff. In October, get to know "Asefi (enough daughters)" by Bernard Séjourné.

October 23

Talk

Haiti, New Orleans, and the Ties that Bind

12PM – 1PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, ESTELLE S. AND ROBERT A. LONG ELLIS FOUNDATION GALLERY, 315, SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, DOLPH SIMONS FAMILY GALLERY, 316

Join artist Ulrick Jean-Pierre for a discussion of his work in the exhibition "The Ties that Bind" and how his identity as a Haitian immigrant shapes his artistic practice.

Sponsored By: KU Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Department of African and African of American Studies, Hall Center for the Humanities, Institute for Haitian Studies, Kress Foundation Department of Art History, Spencer Museum of Art

October 23

Talk

Rena Detrixhe: Red Dirt Rug

7PM – 8PM
THE COMMONS, SPOONER HALL, 1340 JAYHAWK BLVD

Oklahoma-based artist and KU alumna Rena Detrixhe speaks about her installation "Red Dirt Rug" made from red Oklahoma soil imprinted with patterns from modified shoe soles. The public is invited to observe Detrixhe create the installation on site beginning October 17. Visit www.thecommons.ku.edu for viewing times.

Sponsored By: The Commons, Department of Visual Art

October 25

Talk

Senior Session Women as Liberty and Women as Leaders in Haitian Art

10:15AM – 11AM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, DOLPH SIMONS FAMILY GALLERY, 316, SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, ESTELLE S. AND ROBERT A. LONG ELLIS FOUNDATION GALLERY, 315

Join Curator Cassandra Mesick Braun for an exploration of the role that women have played in shaping the history, culture, religion, and everyday life in Haiti. Senior Sessions are designed for senior citizens but open to all.

October 26

Talk

Red Hot Research Red Hot Research

4PM – 5:30PM
THE COMMONS, SPOONER HALL, 1340 JAYHAWK BLVD

Red Hot Research brings together scholars from different disciplines to deliver six-minute flash presentations about their research. Audience members are encouraged to connect with the speakers and one other during breaks.

October 28

Talk

Up Close The Ties that Bind

2PM – 3PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART

Delve into the ideas behind the exhibition "The Ties that Bind: Haiti, the United States, and the Art of Ulrick Jean-Pierre in Comparitive Perspective" with co-curators Cassandra Mesick Braun and Cécile Accilien. Accilien served as the fall 2017 Integrated Arts Research Initiative faculty research fellow.

November 08

Talk

Senior Session Between Faith and Function: A 16th-Century Maiolica Pilgrim Bottle

10:15AM – 11:15AM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, JACK AND LAVON BROSSEAU CENTER FOR LEARNING, 318

What, exactly, is a pilgrim bottle? Ashley Offill, PhD candidate in art history, discusses the Museum's 16th-century pilgrim bottle created by Orazio Fontana and explores the history of pilgrim bottles in the West and their reinterpretation as decorative domestic objects during the Renaissance. Senior Sessions are designed for senior citizens but open to all.

November 08

Talk

Franklin D. Murphy Distinguished Alumni Lecture: The Yellow Brick Road to The Met: Reflections on Kansas, Art History, Then, and Now

5:15PM – 6:15PM
309 AUDITORIUM

Dr. Randall Griffey reflects on his tenure at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, key professional turning points that paved the way, and the roles of KU and Kansas on his journey. This lecture opens the symposium "Homecoming: Five Decades of American Art Studies at KU", organized in celebration of KU’s graduate program in American art history and honoring the career of Dr. Charles C. Eldredge, Hall Distinguished Professor Emeritus of American Art and Culture. For details, visit https://arthistory.ku.edu/homecoming-symposium.

Sponsored By: Kress Foundation Department of Art History, Spencer Museum of Art

November 09

Activity

Art Cart At Large Discovery Day: North & South Poles

10AM – 12PM
THE PANORAMA, NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, DYCHE HALL, 1345 JAYHAWK BLVD

Join Spencer staff for an Art Cart at Large at KU Natural History Museum’s Discovery Day.

Sponsored By: Natural History Museum, Spencer Museum of Art

November 09

Talk

Homecoming: Five Decades of American Art Studies at the University of Kansas, Session I

3:30PM – 5PM
KANSAS UNION, ALDERSON AUDITORIUM, 1301 JAYHAWK BLVD

This symposium celebrates KU’s nationally recognized graduate program in American art history and honors the career of Dr. Charles C. Eldredge, Hall Distinguished Professor Emeritus of American Art and Culture, who retired in 2018 after 42 years at KU. Dr. Eldredge served as Director of the Spencer Museum of Art from 1971-82. Over 20 KU art history PhD alumni will present talks on their research in American art. The symposium continues on Saturday, November 10. For details, visit https://arthistory.ku.edu/homecoming-symposium

Sponsored By: Kress Foundation Department of Art History

November 09

Talk

Red Hot Graduate Research Graduate Edition

4PM – 5:30PM
THE COMMONS, SPOONER HALL, 1340 JAYHAWK BLVD

Red Hot Graduate Research brings together graduate students from different disciplines to deliver six-minute flash presentations about their research. Audience members are encouraged to connect with the speakers and one other during breaks. Sponsored by The Commons

November 09

Talk

Charles Eldredge: Action Figure on the Potomac

5:15PM – 6:15PM
KANSAS UNION, ALDERSON AUDITORIUM, 1301 JAYHAWK BLVD

This keynote lecture by Dr. Elizabeth C. Broun, director emerita of the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM), focuses on Eldredge’s transformative leadership of that institution. Broun earned her PhD in art history at KU under Eldredge’s direction and succeeded him as director of the SAAM. Reception immediately following.

Sponsored By: Kress Foundation Department of Art History, Spencer Museum of Art

November 10

Talk

Homecoming: Five Decades of American Art Studies at the University of Kansas, Sessions II-V

8:30AM – 5PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, ROOM 211

More than 20 KU PhD alumni present their research at this symposium celebrating KU’s graduate program in American art history and honoring the career of Dr. Charles C. Eldredge, Hall Distinguished Professor Emeritus of American Art and Culture. Lunch will be provided for all symposium attendees. For details and to register for Saturday’s sessions, visit http://arthistory.ku.edu/. Co-sponsored by the Kress Foundation Department of Art History

Sponsored By: Kress Foundation Department of Art History

November 16

Talk

Red Hot Research Red Hot Research

4PM – 5:30PM
THE COMMONS, SPOONER HALL, 1340 JAYHAWK BLVD

November 17

Activity

Art Cart Playful Clay Sarcophagus

1PM – 4PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, LARRY AND BARBARA MARSHALL FAMILY BALCONY, 404

The Art Cart is a drop-in activity station where children and grown-ups enjoy hands-on art projects together, taking inspiration from original works of art on view. Explore the idea of ritual and create a clay sarcophagus for something you love. The Art Cart is supported by Midco.

November 18

Talk

Slow Art Sunday A Shipwreck

2PM – 3PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, LESTER "DUSTY" LOO GALLERY, 401

Slow down at the Spencer and spend time getting to know one great work of art. Slow Art Sunday features one work for visitors to contemplate and converse about with Museum staff. In November, get to know "A Shipwreck" by Philip James de Loutherbourg.

December 01

Activity

Tails and Traditions Family Festival

10AM – 2PM
WATKINS MUSEUM OF HISTORY, 1047 MASSACHUSETTS ST

Visit the Watkins Museum to create and celebrate holiday traditions with your family at this free annual event. The Spencer Museum will be on hand to lead a special art activity.

December 06

Activity

Teen Zone:TASK Art Party

4PM – 5PM
LAWRENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY, 707 VERMONT ST

KU art students invite teens to challenge their imagination. Part art, part performance - this judgement free environment is devoted to self expression. We’ll provide the props, unconventional materials, and art supplies.

December 13

Talk

Senior Session A Precious Historical Jewelry Collection

10:15AM – 11:15AM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, LESTER "DUSTY" LOO GALLERY, 401

Curator Susan Earle discusses a sparkling new installation featuring Faberge jewelry, pill boxes, picture frames, miniature pendant eggs crafted in Russia, European cut steel necklaces, and Gothic revival bracelets. Senior Sessions are designed for senior citizens but open to all.

December 16

Talk

Slow Art Sunday Medicine Buddha

2PM – 3PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, JOHN AND LINDA STEWART GALLERY, 406

Slow down at the Spencer and spend time getting to know one great work of art. Slow Art Sunday features one work for visitors to contemplate and converse about with Museum staff. In December, get to know the "Medicine Buddha" from China.

December 30

Talk

Director's Tour Gifts to KU, Gifts to You

1PM – 3:30PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART

Every year, Spencer Museum Director Saralyn Reece Hardy spends an afternoon in the galleries welcoming visitors and leading informal tours to celebrate the holiday season. This year's tour features works of art that have come as gifts to the Museum. Focusing on the motivations for gifting and their continued impact on creativity and education at KU, conversations will include the ways that gifts continue to contribute to what makes our university art museum a treasure for all. Tours take place from 1:00-2:00PM and 2:30-3:30PM and free refreshments are available before and after each tour. Join us and make this Spencer Museum tradition your own.