THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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Murals paint vivid picture of Kansas history
Artists' work adds color to state capitol building
Left: John Stewart Curry painted the murals on the second floor rotunda in the Capitol building. The history of the murals has been, at times, controversial. Below, far left: The state Capital building stands in Topeka behind changing fall colors. The building contains many historical murals painted by John Stewart Curry and others that represent events and times significant to Kansas history. Photos by Matt J. Daugherty/KANSAN
By Todd Halstead
Special to the Kansan
Although the murals at the capitol building in Topeka evoke emotions of pride and awe in some Kansans, they were in the past subjected to a barrage of criticisms and political debates.
The murals on the second floor rotunda, painted by John Steuart Curry, are some of the most controversial and scratinized images in the history of American art, said Eldon Harding, tour guide at the capitol.
"The critics were ignorant — some were stupid — and did not accept Curry for the artist he was. He was a realist while his critics wanted more fluff," he said.
Centered on the north wall of the rotunda is Curry's dramatic depiction of Kansas native John Brown, an activist in the anti-slavery movement. The mural, 31 feet by 11 1/2 feet, is one of the most famous Civil War era paintings and is often reproduced.
In the middle of the mural, with out-stretched arms and a flowing beard, Brown towers above opposing anti-slavery and pro-slavery forces. In one hand, Brown clutches a rifle and in the other he holds a Bible. At his feet, representing the fratricide that would envelop the nation, is a dead Confederate soldier lying beside a dead Union soldier. In the background, a tornado and a prairie fire also symbolize the coming of war.
Capitol workers discuss issues on the governor's agenda outside the press office at the state Capitol building in Topeka. Photo by Matt J. Daucherty/KANSAN
"People were stupid enough not to see the symbolism in making Brown taller than the other people, which was to show his importance," said Harding.
On the east wall, an archway separates the images of a plains man and the Spanish explorer Coronado. On the other side of the
rotunda is a mural portraying a modern-day farm, a young farmer, his wife and their children. Also featured are fields of corn, grazing cattle and a Hereford bull.
Information in a pamphlet published by the state containing information on the capitol says that in 1976, the Kansas legislature created a murals committee that selected Lumen Martin Winter, an artist from Kansas, to finish the
commission left unfinished by Curry. Using Curry's sketches as a reference, Winter completed the murals, and they were dedicated in 1978. The murals examined eight topics ranging form Col. John C. Freemont speaking with Native Americans during his expedition west to Quantrill's raid on Lawrence. The theme of most of the murals is about the daily life of settlers in Kansas.
In 1951, David H. Overmyer, a native of Topeka, was commissioned to paint eight murals on the first-floor rotunda. Overmery's stylized paintings, rich in color, with bold lines, were completed in September of 1953.
In 1898, Jerome Fedeli, a fresco painter from Kansas City, was hired by the Populist Party, which controlled the State Executive Council, to paint murals on the inside panels of the capitol's dome. The resulting work was captured in a photograph that is on display in the rotunda, which shows partly nude Grecian women. In 1902, the Republicans gained control of the state and hired painters from a Chicago-based company, Crossman and Study, to repaint the panels for $7,600.
The murals range from a depiction of Lewis and Clark mapping out one of the many Kansas streams that flow into the Missouri River to the arrival of the railroad, which made settlement in Kansas a reality for many people.
The four resulting murals are allegorical. The paintings depict Knowledge, Plenty, Peace and Power. All of the murals have a woman sitting in the center who is flanked by a figure on both sides.
"I think that all the murals are interesting and show the vast history of Kansas, but none capture the feelings of the image of John Brown," said Joel Novack, a Topeka resident visiting the capitol building. "You can almost sense how fanatical he was through the painting. I think it's great that people can come and look at these paintings whenever they wish."
Attending Chiefs game can be an expensive experience
By Seth Hoffman Special to the Kansar
For most people, spending the afternoon at a Chiefs game is not a spur-of-the-moment decision.
Most games are sold out long before the day of the game and a majority are sold before the season even starts. As far as ticket prices, the Chiefs rank slightly below the NFL average, at about $42 apiece. For a day at the game, a family of four can expect to shell out $242 for parking, tickets and a few concessions.
While there scalpers who try to unload extra tickets, selling tickets for higher than
High ticket prices and the time commitment make planning important. In fact, because of the limited availability of tickets, it is unlikely that a person could show up on game day without a ticket and get in.
face value is illegal in Missouri. In Kansas, those who attend the game can attempt to find tickets at area ticket brokers, who legally can charge as much as they want for the tickets.
Roland Weibel, Topeka freshman, and Jason Shumaker, Grand Prairie, Texas, freshman, both attended the Nov. 16 Chiefs' game against the Denver Broncos.
"I thought they were pretty reasonable," said Shumaker.
"We saw worse seats on sale from (ticket brokers) for $149."
"We camped out at the Union at 3 a.m. during Hawk Week to get those tickets," Weibel said. "We paid $48 at SUA for tickets with a $40 face value. They were terrible seats."
Shumaker camped with Weibel.
For the privilege of parking in the Truman Sports Complex, where Arrowhead is
located, drivers must cough up $11 for each car.
"I thought stadium prices were really ridiculous," he said. "Eleven dollars for parking, and $3.75 for a 20-ounce Coke. I didn't buy anything once I got in the stadium."
Although Shumaker thought the price he paid for this ticket was reasonable, prices at the stadium took him by surprise.
At 4 p.m. for the Monday-night game, a line of cars was waiting to begin its tailgate festivities. There were Chiefs-detailed pickup trucks, specially crafted, tailgate-enhanced conversion vans and even an occasional cherry-red hearse, hauling the symbolic corpse of the Chiefs' potential next victim.
"We got to the stadium about an hour and a half before the game but didn't tailgate," Weibel said. "I guess we're not quite as hard-core as some."
Dave Shipman, of Lee's Summit, Ma., (left) huddles up with a fellow junior fan and his parents before a Chiefs game. Shipman is famous for his tailgating rituals, which include war-chants, a tipi and smoke signals. Photo by Graham K. Johnson/KANSAN.