January 27

Activity

3PM – 6PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Brosseau Learning Center, 318, Perkins Central Court, 317

Graduate students from all disciplines are invited to join in community and prioritize self-care. Drop by to pick up a special ceramic mug and resources tailored toward graduate students, and connect with art and colleagues. This reception is designed to help students feel refreshed and focused as they begin their semester.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art, The Commons, Office of Graduate Studies

January 28

Activity

10AM – 4PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Goddard Study Center, 305

Your art wish is our command. Visit the Goddard Study Center on Fridays to request works of art on paper not currently on view or share your interests and let our staff select works for you. You can also drop in to enjoy works requested by other visitors. The Goddard Study Center is open to all during gallery hours with a break from 12-1PM. Space is limited and face masks are required. If we are at capacity, we invite you to explore the galleries until space opens up. The Goddard Study Center is also open by appointment at other times.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art

January 29

Activity

1PM – 4PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Perkins Central Court, 317, Spencer Museum of Art, Dolph Simons Family Gallery, 316

To the stars through difficulties! Celebrate Kansas Day and create a mixed-media artwork inspired by Kansas. 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. Stop by anytime between 1PM and 4PM and stay as long as you like!

February 03

Performance

6:30PM – 7:30PM
Spencer Museum of Art

What happens when a painting becomes a musical score, a sculpture serves as your dance partner, and the galleries become a laboratory for interdisciplinary improvisation? Amorphous Collective tests these ideas in a series of four open rehearsals that respond to and engage with the museum environment. Improvisers of all disciplines, ages, and experience levels are invited to drop in and participate and all visitors are invited to observe and enjoy. Join us for other Amorphous Collective rehearsals and happenings: February 17; March 3; and April 21, 23, and 28.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art

February 03

Talk

7PM – 8:30PM
Join Livestream on YouTube: youtube.com/c/KUArtHistory

What constitutes identity and how do people navigate, form, and reform their sense of self? How can the study of art and its history help us to consider the diverse identities expressed by visual culture and its creators? Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art Atreyee Gupta (University of California Berkeley) explores these questions and more. This series seeks to amplify the voices of scholars and artists whose work explores individual and collective identities as those intersect with notions of the body, dis/ability, gender, heritage, and race.

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

February 04

Activity

10AM – 4PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Goddard Study Center, 305

Your art wish is our command. Visit the Goddard Study Center on Fridays to request works of art on paper not currently on view or share your interests and let our staff select works for you. You can also drop in to enjoy works requested by other visitors. The Goddard Study Center is open to all during gallery hours with a break from 12-1PM. Space is limited and face masks are required. If we are at capacity, we invite you to explore the galleries until space opens up. The Goddard Study Center is also open by appointment at other times.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art

February 11

Activity

10AM – 4PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Goddard Study Center, 305

Your art wish is our command. Visit the Goddard Study Center on Fridays to request works of art on paper not currently on view or share your interests and let our staff select works for you. You can also drop in to enjoy works requested by other visitors. The Goddard Study Center is open to all during gallery hours with a break from 12-1PM. Space is limited and face masks are required. If we are at capacity, we invite you to explore the galleries until space opens up. The Goddard Study Center is also open by appointment at other times.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art

February 11

Talk

5:30PM – 7PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Rm 211, 1301 Mississippi St

The “Three Distances” concept in landscape painting was first described in “Lofty Message of Forest and Streams,” a text attributed to the 11th-century painter Guo Xi. Alfreda Murck, historian of Chinese visual culture currently teaching at Columbia University, explores why Northern Song painters used “level” distance, as well as the wide range of meanings that different distances provide.

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

February 17

Performance

6:30PM – 7:30PM
Spencer Museum of Art

What happens when a painting becomes a musical score, a sculpture serves as your dance partner, and the galleries become a laboratory for interdisciplinary improvisation? Amorphous Collective tests these ideas in a series of four open rehearsals that respond to and engage with the museum environment. Improvisers of all disciplines, ages, and experience levels are invited to drop in and participate and all visitors are invited to observe and enjoy. Join us for other Amorphous Collective rehearsals and happenings: March 3; and April 21, 23, and 28.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art

February 18

Activity

10AM – 4PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Goddard Study Center, 305

Your art wish is our command. Visit the Goddard Study Center on Fridays to request works of art on paper not currently on view or share your interests and let our staff select works for you. You can also drop in to enjoy works requested by other visitors. The Goddard Study Center is open to all during gallery hours with a break from 12-1PM. Space is limited and face masks are required. If we are at capacity, we invite you to explore the galleries until space opens up. The Goddard Study Center is also open by appointment at other times.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art

February 23

Activity

4PM – 5PM
To join, please register at: lawrence.bibliocommons.com/events/6183307bf67cb74300181cd7

Explore color through art and science activities with our friends at the Lawrence Public Library. Register to pick up your free kit from the Library and then join us online to create together. For ages 5-11.

Sponsored By: Lawrence Public Library

February 24

Performance

5:30PM – 7:30PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Dolph Simons Family Gallery, 316

Local Lawrence artists and KU students take to the mic to amplify and uplift stories of Black liberation and creative expression through poetry, spoken word, music, manifestos, and more. The first half features celebrated B.L.A.C.K. Lawrence members Barry Barnes, Tai Amri Spann-Ryan, and Alex Kimball Williams, as well as KU student Naomi Madu. The second half is an open mic. Sign up for a spot on site. Pass Me the Mic borrows inspiration from Madu’s monument to the birthplace of hip hop, an art installation on view in Marvin Grove for Backyard Bash 2021: Understories. In celebration of Black History Month, Pass Me the Mic aims to bridge genres and generations.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art

February 25

Activity

10AM – 4PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Goddard Study Center, 305

Your art wish is our command. Visit the Goddard Study Center on Fridays to request works of art on paper not currently on view or share your interests and let our staff select works for you. You can also drop in to enjoy works requested by other visitors. The Goddard Study Center is open to all during gallery hours with a break from 12-1PM. Space is limited and face masks are required. If we are at capacity, we invite you to explore the galleries until space opens up. The Goddard Study Center is also open by appointment at other times.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art

March 03

Class

6:30PM – 7:30PM
Spencer Museum of Art

Cultivate the skills of spontaneous creation in various disciplines and mediums with members of Amorphous Collective. This group of artists affiliated with the University of Kansas strives to create a more self-aware and compassionate society through the practice of improvisation. Improvisers of all disciplines, ages, and experience levels are invited to participate and all visitors are invited to observe and enjoy. Join us for other Amorphous Collective rehearsals and happenings on April 21, 23, and 28.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art

March 04

Activity

10AM – 4PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Goddard Study Center, 305

Your art wish is our command. Visit the Goddard Study Center on Fridays to request works of art on paper not currently on view or share your interests and let our staff select works for you. You can also drop in to enjoy works requested by other visitors. The Goddard Study Center is open to all during gallery hours with a break from 12-1PM. Space is limited and face masks are required. If we are at capacity, we invite you to explore the galleries until space opens up. The Goddard Study Center is also open by appointment at other times.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art

March 10

Talk

7PM – 8:30PM
Join Livestream on YouTube: youtube.com/c/KUArtHistory

What constitutes identity and how do people navigate, form, and reform their sense of self? How can the study of art and its history help us to consider the diverse identities expressed by visual culture and its creators? NYC based artist, speaker, and educator explores these questions and more. This series seeks to amplify the voices of scholars and artists whose work explores individual and collective identities as those intersect with notions of the body, dis/ability, gender, heritage, and race.

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

March 18

Activity

10AM – 4PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Goddard Study Center, 305

Your art wish is our command. Visit the Goddard Study Center on Fridays to request works of art on paper not currently on view or share your interests and let our staff select works for you. You can also drop in to enjoy works requested by other visitors. The Goddard Study Center is open to all during gallery hours with a break from 12-1PM. Space is limited and face masks are required. If we are at capacity, we invite you to explore the galleries until space opens up. The Goddard Study Center is also open by appointment at other times.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art

March 24

Talk

10:15AM – 11:15AM
Spencer Museum of Art, Brosseau Learning Center, 318, Dolph Simons Family Gallery, 316

Journey to Germany and France with Spencer Museum Intern Sara Johnson to consider two of the Spencer’s paintings in a new way using Google Earth software. Explore how this technology can help researchers learn more about the real locations of landscape paintings. Senior sessions are designed for older adults but open to everyone.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art

March 25

Activity

10AM – 4PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Goddard Study Center, 305

Your art wish is our command. Visit the Goddard Study Center on Fridays to request works of art on paper not currently on view or share your interests and let our staff select works for you. You can also drop in to enjoy works requested by other visitors. The Goddard Study Center is open to all during gallery hours with a break from 12-1PM. Space is limited and face masks are required. If we are at capacity, we invite you to explore the galleries until space opens up. The Goddard Study Center is also open by appointment at other times.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art

April 01

Activity

10AM – 4PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Goddard Study Center, 305

Your art wish is our command. Visit the Goddard Study Center on Fridays to request works of art on paper not currently on view or share your interests and let our staff select works for you. You can also drop in to enjoy works requested by other visitors. The Goddard Study Center is open to all during gallery hours with a break from 12-1PM. Space is limited and face masks are required. If we are at capacity, we invite you to explore the galleries until space opens up. The Goddard Study Center is also open by appointment at other times.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art

April 01

Activity

3PM – 4PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Marvin Grove, directly behind Spencer Museum, 1301 Mississippi St, The Commons, Spooner Hall, 1340 Jayhawk Blvd

Trek with us to explore artistic intersections with bees and observe the annual emergence of our native Colletes bees on KU’s campus. We will begin at the Spencer Museum of Art, then move to Marvin Grove, and conclude at The Commons. Guided by Professor Deborah Smith and students studying native bees, we will learn to spot bee habitats hiding in plain sight and how these bees use their tongues as tiny paintbrushes. At Weaver Courtyard, The Commons Director Emily Ryan taps us into the network of pollinator-friendly spaces on campus.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art, The Commons

April 03

Activity

2PM – 3PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Marvin Grove, directly behind Spencer Museum, 1301 Mississippi St, The Commons, Spooner Hall, 1340 Jayhawk Blvd

Trek with us to explore artistic intersections with bees and observe the annual emergence of our native Colletes bees on KU’s campus. We will begin at the Spencer Museum of Art, then move to Marvin Grove, and conclude at The Commons. Guided by Professor Deborah Smith and students studying native bees, we will learn to spot bee habitats hiding in plain sight and how these bees use their tongues as tiny paintbrushes. At Weaver Courtyard, The Commons Director Emily Ryan taps us into the network of pollinator-friendly spaces on campus.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art, The Commons

April 08

Activity

10AM – 4PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Goddard Study Center, 305

Your art wish is our command. Visit the Goddard Study Center on Fridays to request works of art on paper not currently on view or share your interests and let our staff select works for you. You can also drop in to enjoy works requested by other visitors. The Goddard Study Center is open to all during gallery hours with a break from 12-1PM. Space is limited and face masks are required. If we are at capacity, we invite you to explore the galleries until space opens up. The Goddard Study Center is also open by appointment at other times.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art

April 09

12PM – 9PM
Lied Center of Kansas, 1600 Stewart Dr

Explore family-friendly activities, vendors, and presentations led by Indigenous artists, scholars, and craftspeople as part of KU’s Indigenous Cultures Festival. Then join KU’s First Nations Student Association for their annual powwow. These events are free and open to all.

Sponsored By: First Nations Student Association, Lied Center of Kansas, Haskell Indian Nations University, Spencer Museum of Art, Native Faculty-Staff Council, KU Indigenous Studies Program, University Academic Support Centers

April 12

8PM – 10PM
Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St

Free State Festival kicks off with renowned multimedia artist Dario Robleto’s immersive meditation on three “firsts” in the history of recording: the first time live music and singing were recorded, the first time brain waves were recorded in a dream state, and the first time a human heartbeat was recorded while listening to music. Commissioned by the Spencer Museum of Art, the 53-minute film is preceded by live music by local artists and followed by Q&A with the artist. ASL provided. Doors open at 7:00PM /Screening 7:30–8:30PM / Q&A with the artist 8:30–9:00PM. The full festival schedule is online at https://freestatefestival.org/.

Sponsored By: Lawrence Arts Center, Spencer Museum of Art

April 14

Talk

7PM – 8:30PM
Join Livestream on YouTube: youtube.com/c/KUArtHistory

What constitutes identity and how do people navigate, form, and reform their sense of self? How can the study of art and its history help us to consider the diverse identities expressed by visual culture and its creators? Vincent de Paul Professor of Art, Media, & Design; Director of Critical Ethnic Studies Laura Kina explores these questions and more. This series seeks to amplify the voices of scholars and artists whose work explores individual and collective identities as those intersect with notions of the body, dis/ability, gender, heritage, and race.

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

April 15

Activity

10AM – 4PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Goddard Study Center, 305

Your art wish is our command. Visit the Goddard Study Center on Fridays to request works of art on paper not currently on view or share your interests and let our staff select works for you. You can also drop in to enjoy works requested by other visitors. The Goddard Study Center is open to all during gallery hours with a break from 12-1PM. Space is limited and face masks are required. If we are at capacity, we invite you to explore the galleries until space opens up. The Goddard Study Center is also open by appointment at other times.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art

April 21

Performance

6:30PM – 7:30PM
Spencer Museum of Art

What happens when a painting becomes a musical score, a sculpture serves as your dance partner, and the galleries become a laboratory for interdisciplinary improvisation? Amorphous Collective tests these ideas in a series of four open rehearsals that respond to and engage with the museum environment. Improvisers of all disciplines, ages, and experience levels are invited to drop in and participate and all visitors are invited to observe and enjoy. Join us for other Amorphous Collective rehearsals and happenings: April 23, and 28.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art

April 22

Activity

10AM – 4PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Goddard Study Center, 305

Your art wish is our command. Visit the Goddard Study Center on Fridays to request works of art on paper not currently on view or share your interests and let our staff select works for you. You can also drop in to enjoy works requested by other visitors. The Goddard Study Center is open to all during gallery hours with a break from 12-1PM. Space is limited and face masks are required. If we are at capacity, we invite you to explore the galleries until space opens up. The Goddard Study Center is also open by appointment at other times.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art

April 23

Activity

6:30PM – 7:30PM
Spencer Museum of Art

Join us as we combine forces with Amorphous Ensemble for a musically inspired art-making activity using recycled materials. Art Cart is a free drop-in activity station where children and grown-ups enjoy hands-on art projects together, taking inspiration from original works of art on view. Stop by anytime between 1PM and 4PM and stay as long as you like!

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art

April 28

Talk

10:15AM – 11AM
Spencer Museum of Art, Dolph Simons Family Gallery, 316

Spencer Curator Susan Earle discusses transformative gifts of art to the Spencer’s collection, focusing on objects from the recent Perkins Collection gift that are featured in the exhibition Debut. Senior sessions are designed for older adults but open to everyone.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art

April 29

Activity

10AM – 4PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Goddard Study Center, 305

Your art wish is our command. Visit the Goddard Study Center on Fridays to request works of art on paper not currently on view or share your interests and let our staff select works for you. You can also drop in to enjoy works requested by other visitors. The Goddard Study Center is open to all during gallery hours with a break from 12-1PM. Space is limited and face masks are required. If we are at capacity, we invite you to explore the galleries until space opens up. The Goddard Study Center is also open by appointment at other times.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art

May 06

Activity

10AM – 4PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Goddard Study Center, 305

Your art wish is our command. Visit the Goddard Study Center on Fridays to request works of art on paper not currently on view or share your interests and let our staff select works for you. You can also drop in to enjoy works requested by other visitors. The Goddard Study Center is open to all during gallery hours with a break from 12-1PM. Space is limited and face masks are required. If we are at capacity, we invite you to explore the galleries until space opens up. The Goddard Study Center is also open by appointment at other times.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art

May 26

Talk

10:15AM – 11AM
Spencer Museum of Art, Brosseau Learning Center, 318

Embrace the Renaissance love of collecting and the pursuit of knowledge through a richly woven tapestry in the Museum’s collection. Spencer Intern Sadie Arft unravels the density of details within The Leopard Hunt, from architecture and ruins to plants, animals, and figures, and discusses other examples of hunting and game park tapestries like the Met’s famed Hunt for the Unicorn. Senior sessions are designed for older adults but open to everyone.

Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art