Events Calendar
All events are free and open to everyone unless otherwise noted. See individual listings for events that require registration.October 25
Performance
My Name is Sallie
7PM
– 8PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, GALLERY 317, SAM AND CONNIE PERKINS CENTRAL COURT
This experimental, immersive musical theater experience tells the story of the founding gift of art to the University of Kansas that became the Spencer Museum of Art. Created by Spencer Archivist Robert Hickerson and featuring the talents of artists and students from across the community. Staged in the exhibition Civic Leader and Art Collector: Sallie Casey Thayer and an Art Museum for KU, the performance is a free special preview event and part of the centennial celebration of our collection. All ages welcome. Space is limited and advance tickets are required. Tickets are available through Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/my-name-is-sallie-tickets-37725266287.
Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art
October 26
Talk
Senior Session Lilla Cabot Perry in Japan
10AM
– 11AM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, GALLERY 401, LESTER "DUSTY" LOO GALLERY
Sara Anne Stepp, a PhD student in the Kress Department of Art History, discusses American Impressionist Lilla Cabot Perry’s three years in Japan and the impact of her travels on her later work. The talk highlights Young Caretaker, a painting in the Spencer’s collection created during Perry’s time in Japan. This series of informal gallery talks is designed for senior citizens but open to everyone.
Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art
October 26
Performance
My Name is Sallie
7PM
– 8PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, GALLERY 317, SAM AND CONNIE PERKINS CENTRAL COURT
This experimental, immersive musical theater experience tells the story of the founding gift of art to the University of Kansas that became the Spencer Museum of Art. Created by Spencer Archivist Robert Hickerson and staged in the exhibition Civic Leader and Art Collector: Sallie Casey Thayer and an Art Museum for KU, the performance is a free special preview event and part of the centennial celebration of our collection. All ages welcome. Space is limited and advance tickets are required. Tickets are available through Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/my-name-is-sallie-tickets-37725266287.
Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art
October 29
Talk
Slow Art Sunday The Ballad of the Jealous Lover of Lone Green Valley
2PM
– 3PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, GALLERY 407
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 October, get to know The Ballad of the Jealous Lover of Lone Green Valley by Thomas Hart Benton.
Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art
November 05
Talk
Stories from the Museum Archives: Sallie Casey Thayer Collects
2PM
– 3PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, RM 305, STEPHEN H. GODDARD STUDY CENTER
Spencer Museum archivist Robert Hickerson and student assistant Rose Wolf open up the archives for an exploration of primary resources that document the collection that initiated an art museum at KU. This behind-the-scenes program is presented in conjunction with the exhibition Civic Leader and Art Collector: Sallie Casey Thayer and an Art Museum for KU and the Museum’s centennial celebration of our collection.
Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art
November 09
Talk
Senior Session Around the Cake: A Visual Confection by Wayne Thiebaud
10AM
– 11AM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, GALLERY 318, JACK AND LAVON BROSSEAU CENTER FOR LEARNING
Lauren R. Erickson, interim director for KU Marketing Communications, discusses Wayne Thiebaud’s delectable painting Around the Cake. Her talk considers the painting’s cultural context, including issues of domesticity, women's roles in mid-century homes, and American tastes for consumer culture whipped into its white-frosted layers. This series of informal gallery talks is designed for senior citizens but open to everyone.
Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art
November 09
Social
Party of the Century
6PM
– 8PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART
This once-in-a-century event for Friends of the Art Museum celebrates the enduring legacy of the Museum’s founding gift and heralds the beginning of the next 100 years. Mark this historic milestone with fellow members and enjoy refreshments, entertainment, and festive surprises that capture the spirit of the Museum’s origins. To join Friends of the Art Museum, please contact membership staff at fam@ku.edu.
Sponsored By: Friends of the Art Museum
November 10
Talk
IARI Research Forum: Fellows Discussion
4PM
– 5PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, RM 307, RECEPTION ROOM
Now in its second year, the Integrated Arts Research Initiative integrates the arts into KU research. Join current and past faculty, undergraduate, and graduate IARI fellows for a discussion of their interdisciplinary work.
Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art
November 10
Talk
IARI Research Forum: MacArthur Keynote Conversation
5:30PM
– 6:30PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART AUDITORIUM, RM 309
Now in its second year, the Integrated Arts Research Initiative integrates the arts into KU research. Join current and past faculty, undergraduate, and graduate IARI fellows for a discussion of their interdisciplinary work.
Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art
November 11
Activity
Art Cart Collecting Curiosities
1PM
– 4PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, GALLERY 317, SAM AND CONNIE PERKINS CENTRAL COURT
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. In 1917, art collector Sallie Casey Thayer donated her amazing collection of curious objects and works of art to the Spencer. Learn about her and create your own cabinet of curiosities.
Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art
November 12
Talk
Up Close Civic Leader and Art Collector: Sallie Casey Thayer and an Art Museum for KU
2PM
– 3PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, GALLERY 317, SAM AND CONNIE PERKINS CENTRAL COURT, GALLERY 316, GALLERY 315
Delve into this exhibition celebrating our collection’s centennial with Curator and Director of Academic Programs Celka Straughn as your guide. Discover the collecting motivations of visionary philanthropist Sallie Casey Thayer and learn how her ideas continue to inform teaching, learning, and research at the Museum today. Up Close gallery talks reveal the personal stories behind exhibitions
Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art
November 15
Film
Global Film Festival The Gleaners and I
5:30PM
– 7:30PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART AUDITORIUM, RM 309
The Global Film Festival, a series of four films curated by first-year students in conjunction with the Spencer Museum’s exhibitions, continues with French director Agnes Varda's 2001 film about the lives of scavengers, from homeless teens to famous artists. The documentary travelogue begins with the famous Jean-François Millet painting of women gathering wheat left over from a harvest and focuses on gleaners of all kinds: those scavenging out of desperation, environmentally-conscious activists, and others who make works of art out of cast-off goods. Ultimately, Varda’s observations lead to a reflection on her life as a filmmaker. This film is screened in conjunction with the exhibition Civic Leader and Art Collector: Sallie Casey Thayer and an Art Museum for KU. Running time: 1 hr. 22 min. Not rated.
Sponsored By: Department of Film and Media Studies, Office of First-Year Experience, Spencer Museum of Art
November 17
Talk
Red Hot Research Graduate Edition
4PM
– 5:30PM
THE COMMONS, SPOONER HALL, 1340 JAYHAWK BLVD
Red Hot Research brings together scholars from all disciplines, speaking for six minutes each in Pecha Kucha–inspired presentations. Audience members are encouraged to connect with the speakers and each other during breaks. This session features graduate student research.
Sponsored By: The Commons, Spencer Museum of Art
November 19
Talk
Slow Art Sunday Amida Buddha (Amitabha)
2PM
– 3PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, GALLERY 407
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 Amida Buddha (Amitabha)
Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art
November 19
Performance
Aspects of Liszt
4PM
– 5:30PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, GALLERY 317, SAM AND CONNIE PERKINS CENTRAL COURT
Distinguished Emmy-winning author, critic, radio and film producer David Dubal joins KU international concert artist Steven Spooner in an afternoon of piano music from the era of the Spencer Museum’s origins and fascinating commentary on the legendary Franz Liszt. This concert is part of the Museum’s centennial celebration of our collection.
Sponsored By: Reach Out Kansas, Spencer Museum of Art
November 30
Film
Global Film Festival Global Film Festival
5:30PM
– 7:30PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART AUDITORIUM, RM 309
Curated by first-year students, the Global Film Festival features four films exploring ideas in Spencer Museum exhibitions. This film is presented in conjunction with the exhibition Power Clashing: Clothing, Collage, and Contemporary Identities. The film will be announced on the Museum’s website
Sponsored By: Department of Film and Media Studies, Spencer Museum of Art
December 01
Film
Global Film Festival Global Film Festival
1PM
– 3PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART AUDITORIUM, RM 309
This is the last installment of the Global Film Festival, curated by first-year students exploring ideas in Spencer Museum exhibitions. This film is presented in conjunction with an exhibition of African decorative arts. The film will be announced on the Museum’s website.
Sponsored By: Department of Film & Media Studies, Office of First-Year Experience, Spencer Museum of Art
December 12
Activity
Finals in the Flex Space Study Breaks
1PM
– 4PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, RM 320, FLEX SPACE
Take a break during finals for some art and coffee to calm the mind and energize your thinking.
Sponsored By: Student Advisory Board, Spencer Museum of Art
December 13
Activity
Finals in the Flex Space Study Breaks
1PM
– 4PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, RM 320, FLEX SPACE
Take a break during finals for some art and coffee to calm the mind and energize your thinking.
Sponsored By: Student Advisory Board, Spencer Museum of Art
December 14
Talk
Senior Session Civic Leader and Art Collector: Sallie Casey Thayer and an Art Museum for KU
10AM
– 11AM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, GALLERY 317, SAM AND CONNIE PERKINS CENTRAL COURT
A hundred years ago, Kansas City philanthropist Sallie Casey Thayer donated her extensive collection to the KU, forming the basis for what is today the Spencer Museum of Art’s collection. Celka Straughn, Director of Academic Programs, discusses this eclectic collection, from Japanese prints and American paintings to sumptuous textiles, ancient artifacts, and even valentines. This series of informal gallery talks is designed for senior citizens but open to everyone.
Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art
December 14
Activity
Finals in the Flex Space Study Breaks
1PM
– 4PM
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART, RM 320, FLEX SPACE
Take a break during finals for some art and coffee to calm the mind and energize your thinking.
Sponsored By: Student Advisory Board, Spencer Museum of Art
December 17
Talk
Slow Art Sunday Presepio
2PM – 3PM
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 our 18th-century Italian Presepio.
Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art
December 24
Talk
Home for the Holidays
12PM
– 1PM
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 centers on the origins of the Museum and collecting and sharing art as a form of civic engagement. Tours begin at 12pm and 1pm. Join us and make this Spencer Museum tradition your own. These tours are presented in conjunction with the centennial celebration of the Museum’s collection.
Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art