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Friday. November 10. 1961 University Daily Kansan
Page 7
Name of Regionalist Room Causes Frequent Questions
Gueses as to why the "Regionalist Room" in the Kansas Student Union is so called range from "named for the regents"; "decorated in midwest style (whatever that is);" to "some kind of a period, like Early American."
Kansas Union Director Frank R Burge says more questions are asked about the Regionalist Room than any of the other rooms at the Union.
THE WORKS OF THREE well-known artists not only decorate the room but give it its name, he explained. The artists are all of this region: Thomas Hart Benton, a Missouri; John Steuart Curry, a Kansas; and Grant Wood of Iowa. The works are signed lithographs: four by Benton and three each by Curry and Wood. The lithographs by these Regional artists were given to the University by one of its benefactors.
"You'll probably be surprised to learn," said Mr. Burge, "that in planning the decor for the new rooms, the Union Operating Committee discovered the students' favorite was the Old English Room. Students love it.
The definition of lithography given in Webster's ("the art or process of putting writing or design on stone with a greasy material and of producing printed impressions therefrom") does not do justice to the artistry of this medium, was the comment of one visitor.
"THE COMMITTEE wanted to create a new room that would be similar to the popular Old English Room and yet be contemporary. We wanted the enduring solid quality of the traditional along with something equally beautiful but representative of this time and area."
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The traditional look was achieved by solid cherrywood paneling. The simple lines of the pewter and etched glass many-branched chandelier and wall brackets are reminiscent of the gaslight era. A circle of bronze star-shaped lights, recessed in the ceiling, sheds soft light over the room, which has a seating capacity of about twenty-five.
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The contemporary touch is given by lithographs framed in the same cherrywood as the walls, and the limestone fireplace with a raised bench where students can sit around the hearth.
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Over the fireplace hangs an original Thomas Hart Benton bronze, "Indian and Explorer." Amazingly, this casting was retrieved from a scrap pile, where it had been discarded. Beenton used castings as models in order to get a third-dimensional quality into his work. The bronze, mounted on cherry-wood, is the focal point of the room.
By any name, the Regionalist Room would be one of the showplaces of the Student Union. The filmy gold and beige glass curtains under embossed brocade drawdraperies in an egg-shell color with a federal eagle design (complete with e pluribus unum) are a perfect foil for the charcoal-colored rug and upholstered wood armchairs. Long wood tables of exquisite design and a low buffet complete the room's furnishings.
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