Art

The latest news on exhibits at the Alice C. Sabatini Gallery, programs, and cool things around Topeka in our arts community, opportunities for artists, posts about art books and video and photos from exhibits you may have missed.

Recent Art Blog Posts

Erika Nelson's World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things

Former Sabatini Gallery Artist Erika Nelson Featured on Conan O’Brien

Some of you might remember a funny-looking bus parked in front of the Library for a weekend back in the summer of 2007. That was Erika Nelson, Lucas, Kansas artist, and her World’s Largest Collection of the World’s Smallest Versions of the World’s Largest Things. She was a featured guest artist along with Brian Collier for our [...]

More news on the Topeka Competition 30

More news on the Topeka Competition 30 A full-time studio artist in Helena, MT, Notkin’s teapots, ceramic sculptures and tile murals are visual explorations into social and political commentary.  Through the 1960′s, 70′s and 80′s, when large scale abstract expressionist vessels and gestural ceramic sculptures were the rage in contemporary American ceramics, Notkin worked with [...]

The Printed Image 3 through January 16

Our juried national competitions bring the best, most innovative new work together. Our sponsor, the Friends of the Library, support over $2,000 in awards.  Here in Topeka, the arts are a strong tradition. Why Topeka Competition 30? This is the 30th time we’ve held this competition. Its prestige and celebration of three-dimensional arts and craft media bring an excited [...]

Welcome to 52 for 150

Happy 150th Birthday, Kansas! Every object has a story, and stories build history. To celebrate 150 years of Kansas statehood we’re featuring 52 objects (or collections of related objects)—something new each week throughout the year—from the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library’s 130-year-old special, and permanent collections, that represent our collective state history and cultural diversity. [...]

Topeka Competition Call for Entries

Attention all artists 18 and over! We are now accepting submissions for the Topeka Competition. This national exhibition recognizes artists working in three-dimensional media, and offers the public an opportunity to view some of the most innovative work in contemporary arts and crafts. Eligible media are clay, metalwork, jewelry, fiber, leather, glass, wood, or any combination of the above. To [...]

Artist Talk with Printed Image 3 Juror, Endi Poskovic

On September 30, 2010, Printed Image 3 Juror Endi Poskovic presented, ”Sueño con Aventuras Artisticas and the Ubiquitous Nature of the Printed Image”, a visual and exciting talk about the creation of art and how artists use visions and dreaming as part of their process. Poskovic is an internationally known printmaker and head of the printmaking program at the University [...]

Printed Image 3 Juror’s and Purchase Awards Announced

Congratulations to everyone who was accepted into the exhibit and to all the award winners. Thank you for your interest and participation in what Endi Poskovic called, “one of the the top printmaking shows in the country”. You can see the entire exhibit here, along with detail shots of artwork and opening night reception and [...]

Convergence—”A Most Exquisite Show!”

During the installation of Convergence, as each new piece arrived, I kept thinking, “Man—people are going to love this show!” And they did. A lot. Some of our earlier visitors included YMCA’s Camp Hammond, Richard Pitts’ Wonder Workshop, and a local community center. Midway we had Brewster Place, librarians from Drones and Bonner Springs Public Libraries, [...]

Kansas Landscape Meets Physiognomy Experiment

  A passion for our vast landscape is something Daniel Coburn will always carry with him. He begins a new journey as a graduate student this fall at the University of New Mexico. I wish Daniel the best of luck in this new and exciting time in his life. I can’t wait to see how his [...]

Louis Paints A Barn—In 60 Seconds!

Twenty-five were in attendance last week to watch Louis Copt, reknowned Kansas painter, demonstrate a variety of techniques and materials he uses. He started by making a tree, then demonstrated the effects of a “cat’s tongue” brush and finished by painting a barn before our eyes—start to finish—in just under an hour. It was AMAZING to [...]

Inspirations and New Directions

This week we focus on Louis Copt who’s paintings and collage work can be seen right now in the Convergence exhibit. We’ll discover how the Art Students League in New York helped to shape his career and why the Kansas landscape is close to the artist’s heart. Trish Nixon: It has become increasingly difficult for one to seek [...]