Art Inclusion
Lawrence is home to many talented student artists. Downtown is a showcase of many fine works of art. But rarely are student works displayed downtown.
Story by Jason Strait
Photos by Brian Flink
In the next two years, the city of Lawrence will spend $502,000 on art. And the city will not make an effort to include KU students in the art-life of Lawrence.
About $250,000 will be spent on the construction of a new arts center. The rest will be spent on the "Percent for the Arts" and the downtown art/sculpture display. Although these programs don't exclude students, they don't include them.
The "Percent for the Arts" program was started in 1987 to reserve a percentage of the city's budget for artwork.
"It's a great shot in the arm for the arts community," said Mike Wilden, city manager.
But isn't the KU student body a large part of that arts community?
KU students never have played a major role in Lawrence's art displays, said Jim Patti, a member of the Kansas Sculpture Association and founder
The sculpture Libertine, at Eighth and Massachusetts streets, is a part of art that decorates downtown.
of the downtown program,
Lawrence Arts Commission.
The artists receive a $500 honorarium, and their works are displayed in downtown for a year. Afterward, the sculptures are returned to the artist.
New art is selected in March, and new sculptures are displayed in May.
Both programs are intended to increase the quality of life and appreciation for the arts.
For the downtown program, students' work rarely has been selected in the past in favor of artists from other states. While students are not excluded from the project, they are not given consideration for being what they are: works in progress.
Patti said that one of the 22 artists who submitted work for this year's program might be a KU student.
Among the works of these artists, 11 or 12 works will be selected for display.
"We do have a lot of work submitted by Lawrence artists," Patti said. "But the selection committee doesn't select based on where the art is from."
In addition to the $500 honorarium, the downtown display becomes a gallery for prospective buyers.
Inclusion in the program would give students a chance not only to display, but also to sell their works.
John Hackmeister, a lecturer in the department of art and design, said KU students had the talent that downtown-displayed artists had but might not be informed of the opportunity.
"KU is its own world sometimes," Hackmeister said. "Students don't know about the opportunities offered to them. It would be nice if the students were notified more."
In addition to the lack of information, Hackmeister said students might be too involved with school projects to fulfill the requirements of the
downtown art program. Artists whose works are chosen, must spend time and money to weather-proof their artwork.
"I believe KU student work is really great."
Hackmeister said. "There is a lot of talent here."
If city officials want to increase the quality of life and appreciation for the arts, they need to take KU students into consideration. Students may be busy with projects for classes, but they shouldn't be ignored.
The city could support education while boosting the quality of life. The student artists, sculptors and designers are among the best in Lawrence.
Displaying art is important. Displaying art that represents the community and its student artists is important, too.
Woman at the Well, 800 block of Massachusetts Street
Sculptures by student artists such as Richard Kennedy, Stillwell junior (right), never have been a major part of the downtown art scene. Instead, professional pieces like All in a Life-time, Sixth and Massachusetts streets, (far right) are chosen.
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