2025 News & Announcements

May 2025

East Goes West: Works on Paper | By K-State University Students

Exhibition Dates: April 23 – May 25, 2025

Experience the dynamic creativity of Kansas State University’s emerging artists in East Goes West, a curated pop-up exhibition at the Salina Art Center. Showcasing works on paper from drawing and printmaking students of the 2024–2025 academic year, this collection highlights personal projects developed through self-directed inquiry. From evocative landscapes to bold abstractions, these pieces reflect the students’ exploration of materials, techniques, and conceptual frameworks. Witness the next generation of artists as they refine their voices and push the boundaries of drawing and printmaking.

 

April 2025

The Department of Art hosts BFA Student Exhibition

Join us for the first BFA Exhibition of the spring semester at the Mark A. Chapman Gallery, featuring stunning works by student artists Josh Adee, Jonas Herrera, Augustus Howard, Joseph Hwang, Jack Swearingen, and Logan Zimmerman.

April 28 – May 2, 2025
Gallery Hours: 8 AM – 5 PM (Mon–Fri)
Willard Hall, First Floor, Kansas State University
Reception: Friday, May 2, 5–7 PM – meet the artists!

From personal stories of loss and identity to reflections on rural life and urban solitude, this powerful collection explores diverse themes through photography, painting, and multimedia. Admission is free and open to the public—come support emerging artists!

 

March 2025

February 2025

MFA Grad Student Group Exhibition

Exhibit Location: Manhattan Arts Center

Exhibit Dates: February 11 - March 7, 2025
Meet the Artist Reception: Friday, February 28, 5-7 pm

This exhibition showcases the work of the K-State Art Department's Masters of Fine Arts candidates. The event offers a unique opportunity to experience a diverse collection of artistic expressions from the following artists:

• Gabriel Dwomoh
• Maddison Edwards
• Danielle Fisher
• Maryam Ghasempour
• Aaron Joel Stefan
• Ariana Swann

"Buy Our Selves"

The KSU Art Department is excited to announce the opening of the "Buy Our Selves" ceramics show, featuring the work of our Artist in Residence, Spencer Cheek.

Exhibition Dates: February 17th - March 7th

Location: Chapman Gallery

Closing reception: 6-8pm on the March 7^th

This thought-provoking exhibit explores themes of identity, consumerism, and the human form through Spencer Cheek’s unique ceramic works. It offers an opportunity to engage with powerful reflections on contemporary culture.

Join us in celebrating the creativity and vision of the KSU ceramics community!
We look forward to seeing you there!

 

January 2025

Art Department Students Receive Research Awards

The Art Department is excited to announce that three of our undergraduate students have each received $1,000 from the College of Arts and Sciences for the Spring 2025 semester to conduct faculty-mentored research projects. Forty-four students total in the College of Arts and Sciences received this scholarship, and you can read more about all the students involved in K-State Today's Publication.

Senior in studio art, Michael Kohler, is working with mentor Jason Scuilla on improving Electro Etching processes for printmaking. Specifically, Michael intends to improve the current ground used by experimenting with different methods and materials to make the ground more visible without the need to smoke it. Electro Etching is a new and innovative approach to traditional etching techniques in printmaking. Both electro and traditional methods utilize copper plates to create and print images, but where artists traditionally used solvents and acid to work the copper, Electro Etching uses non-toxic materials and electricity to achieve the same goals. For more information on Electro Etching, check out the NEA Research Project.

Layne McAfee is a senior in studio art working with mentors Kevin Bernstein and Nancy Morrow. For her project, Layne will analyze the social and economic benefits of artist residencies in rural communities. Layne will then use her research to construct a business model for communities that would like to create resident opportunities in their own towns. Layne will draw on her experience and connections as a student fellow for Nature Collab, which “is a joint initiative between the Departments of Art and Entomology that recognizes the intrinsic, interconnectedness between the fields of art, design, the sciences, and mathematics and aims to foster, enhance, and facilitate the interdisciplinary study of nature” (naturecollab.org).

As a sophomore in studio art, Sydney Barge says she will investigate how artists and scholars incorporate the visual arts with ecological themes and artifacts through their different pathways with mentorship from Nancy Morrow. Sydney’s research will explore how individuals use various methods and processes to secure successfully funded careers and opportunities. Sydney points out that the information she gathers will be meaningful to share with students and other people in the field because it will highlight and connect them with important opportunities. Sydney will also use her experience with Nature Collab as a member of the Curatorial Team. Find more information on Nature Collab about our students’ involvement.

 

KSU Art Department Proudly Recognizes Grad Student

The KSU Department of Art is proud to recognize the accomplishments of graduate student Maryam Ghasempour, who recently completed an artist residency at the Bunnell Art Center in Homer, Alaska, from December 31 to January 13. This residency was supported by the Alaska State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. During her time in Alaska, Maryam taught two printmaking workshops at Kachemak Bay College—one on monotype techniques and another on linoleum cut. She also gave two presentations to the local community.

Additionally, Maryam has been featured in two prestigious exhibitions:

1. Positive/Negative 40 National Juried Art Exhibition: Her piece "Bound Yet Free" was selected by juror Nandini Makrandi, Chief Curator at the Hunter Museum of American Art, from 124 submissions across the nation.
2. 2025 SPE Members Exhibition: Two of her works, "Lost and Becoming" and "Bound Yet Free", were selected for the exhibition at Sierra Arts in Reno, Nevada, running from March 3 to 26, 2025. The juror for this show is C. Rose Smith, Assistant Curator of Photography at the Brooks Museum of Art.

Congrats to Maryam for these incredible accomplishments!

 

Art Alum Featured in K-State Alumni Association News

In this article, Allison Bowman discusses her K-State experience as well as her latest projects. She graduated from K-State in 2017 with a BFA in Painting, but explains that she learned and currently utilizes a variety of media in her work. Additionally, Bowman shares about her community projects and how her art draws attention to the native Kansas prarie.

Full article: https://www.k-state.com/news/2024allisonbowman.php

 

2024 News

December 2024

The Department of Art hosts BFA Student Exhibition

Kansas State University’s Department of Art will host the second BFA Exhibition of the fall semester, featuring the undergraduate artwork of Elizabeth Hutchinson, Jessica Pendleton, Josie Swinford, Madisyn Ward, and Ashlynne Wimberley.

Featured Artists:

• Elizabeth Hutchinson (Jewelrysmith/Mixed Media): Creates whimsical, nature-inspired jewelry and layered mixed-media illustrations exploring hidden meanings and emotions.
• Jessica Pendleton (Traditional/Digital Art): Draws inspiration from Disney animation to craft narrative-driven artworks that invite personal interpretation.
• Josie Swinford (Jewelry/Printmaking): Combines fantastical themes in jewelry with emotionally expressive prints, offering a dual artistic experience.
• Madisyn Ward (Ceramics): Produces colorful, nature-themed ceramic vessels, often incorporating anthropomorphic squirrels using sgraffito techniques.
• Ashlynne Wimberley (Printmaking): Creates linoleum and etched prints depicting her family and personal identity through nature-inspired imagery and vibrant colors.

The exhibition and reception provide an opportunity to explore the diverse talents and creative expressions of these emerging artists.

Exhibition Dates: December 9–13, 2024
Gallery Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Monday–Friday)

Reception with the Artists:
Friday, December 13, 2024
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

November 2024

The Department of Art hosts BFA Student Exhibitions

The Kansas State University Department of Art proudly invites you to the Chapman Gallery for the first of two BFA Exhibitions this fall semester, featuring the outstanding works of Ariana Arias and Kai Smith.

• Ariana Arias, a ceramic and mixed media artist from California, explores identity, cultural heritage, and generational trauma as a second-generation Mexican American. Through ceramics and painting, Ariana’s work delves into personal healing and the interplay of individual and collective memory.
• Kai Smith, a ceramic artist, printmaker, and graphic designer from Graham, Washington, uses large-scale sculptures of ordinary stationery objects to convey the pressures of academic life. His work reflects his journey through emotional challenges tied to the expectations of academic success.

Exhibition Dates: December 2–6, 2024
Gallery Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Monday–Friday)

Reception with the Artists:
Friday, December 6, 2024
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Do Numbers Count in Visual Arts:

A look at some modern examples where they might- Speaker John G. Hatch

Rarely does one meet an artist who has a love for mathematics. In fact, quite a few became artists because they hated the subject in high school or, put more simply and honestly, they just weren’t good at it. As with everything, there are exceptions. I’ll be looking at some examples of modern artists who were fascinated by the role mathematics and its products could play in art. Their interests will range from non-Euclidean geometries, space-time formulations, irrational and imaginary numbers, 3-D mathematical models, and sequences such as the Fibonacci numbers. In many cases, the results were highly innovative even if the understanding was rudimentary and occasionally wrong.

The seminar meets in zoom online, and is jointly co-hosted with Nature Collab and the Department of Mathematics

Topic: Art and Math Seminar John Hatch

Time: Nov 14, 2024 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://ksu.zoom.us/j/96871086491?pwd=HfIB3plTjCN4byoMHgHrDEVI3uCCUZ.1

Meeting ID: 968 7108 6491

Passcode: connection

About the speaker: Dr. John G. Hatch is associate professor of art history in the Department of Visual Arts at Western University in London Ontario where he teaches modern art and design. He received his doctorate from the University of Essex (U.K.) in art history and theory. Dr. Hatch’s research has frequently examined the points of convergence between art and science. His articles have looked at a range of topics including the geometry of ancient Greek temple design, the influence of Keplerian cosmology on Italian Baroque architecture, entropy’s role in the earthworks of Robert Smithson, and most recently the impact of relativistic theories on De Stijl architecture and design. The sciences are also a key focal point in the monographs Dr. Hatch has written on the Canadian landscape painters Paterson Ewen and Kazuo Nakamura.

Webpage of John Hatch: https://www.uwo.ca/visarts/about/facultypages/hatch_j.html

 

October 2024

Congratulations Maryam (Nilu) Ghasempour

Congratulations to graduate student Maryam (Nilu) Ghasempour for presenting her research poster on "Intersection of Feminism, Immigration, and Identity in Contemporary Photography" at the Research and the State event at K-State Union! With over 90 graduate students from diverse disciplines across campus participating, Maryam’s work stands out as a powerful exploration of identity and social issues through the lens of contemporary photography. Well done, Maryam!

 

October 27 - November 22

Spaces Between Exhibition

The Chapman Gallery at Kansas State University, now through November 28, presents Spaces Between, a ceramic exhibition featuring artists Andrea Moon and Dryden Wells. This show invites viewers into a dialogue about process, exploring surface design, materiality, and the negative spaces within their ceramic forms. The exhibition encourages the audience to look beyond the tangible aspects of the artwork to reflect on form and content through the spaces created. It's an innovative showcase of how clay can be used to construct deeper conceptual and visual layers.

Artist Biographies:

Andrea Moon constructs complex ceramic structures through the repetition of simple forms. By stacking stoneware ribbons or building coils into basket-like structures, Moon produces networks with each piece relying on its neighbor to build a larger whole. Outside of the studio, Moon has prioritized the construction of a strong arts community, directing residency and education programs at the Red Lodge Clay Center, The Pottery Workshop in Jingdezhen, China, and Craft Alliance in St. Louis. She currently is a lecturer of ceramics at Washington University, St. Louis.

2024 Scholarship Exhibition

The KSU Dept. of Art 2024 Scholarship Exhibition is now open! The Exhibition features work from student award winners, showcasing their outstanding talent and creativity. The exhibition highlights these accomplished students. A special reception will be held on October 25, from 5:00-7:00 PM, providing an opportunity to view the artwork, meet the artists, and celebrate their achievements.

Be sure to attend and support these talented students at this exciting event!

Grad Student Recieves Award

Ariana Swann, a second-year MFA Program student, has been awarded a prestigious $1,000 AAUW Branch Scholarship. This scholarship is sponsored by the Manhattan Chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) in partnership with the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation. It is awarded to no more than four women students at Kansas State University (K-State) each year who have pursued a nontraditional path in their education.

Ariana's accomplishment highlights her dedication and hard work. Congratulations, Ariana, on this well-deserved recognition!

 

Nature Collab Receives University Award

Nature Collab, a joint initiative between the Departments of Art and Entomology, received a $4,500 University Small Research Grant (USRG) to serve as seed funding for equipment, specimen display cases, additional specimens and money to support cataloging of the collection by the lab's undergraduate research fellow.

MAPC Printmaking Conference

KSU’s Department of Art is thrilled to announce the upcoming 2024 MAPC Printmaking Conference, bringing together artists, educators, and enthusiasts from around the region and nation to explore the dynamic field of printmaking. This event, centered on the theme “From the Ashes: Printmaking, Preservation, and Renewal,” will take place on the Kansas State University campus as well as downtown Manhattan on October 2-6, 2024.

The conference will feature a variety of engaging activities, including hands-on workshops, exhibitions, informative artist talks, and interactive demonstrations led by both established and emerging printmakers. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about innovative techniques, explore new materials, and discuss the evolving landscape of printmaking in contemporary art.

This conference aims to foster sustainability, connectedness, creativity, and collaboration within the art community and will cater to artists at all skill levels, from students to seasoned professionals.

 

May 2024

"Party Mix" Exhibition by Visiting Artist Cori Crumrine

Kansas State University Department of Art presents "Party Mix" an exhibition by Cori Crumrine. The  exhibition will run from May 20-24, 2024 in the Mark A. Chapman Gallery,  first floor of Willard Hall. Gallery hours are 8am – 5pm, Monday through Friday. Admission is free and open to the public.

Statement from the Artist, "Utilizing a medley of saccharine palettes and confectionary forms, I create small-scale sculptures exploring the intrinsic details of ambiguity. The work is presented as a simple, single-serving “eat me” temptation. Each piece emanates an individual curiosity; a need to determine whether the work is fresh or stale, artificial or organic, sweet or savory. The forms reference familiar shapes yet are ambiguous enough not to conjure an immediate label. Their bite-sized scale invites you to ponder their potential ingredients and intentions."

Cori Crumrine studied ceramics at Bowling Green State University (BFA 2013) and the University of Montana (MFA 2018), where she recognized her desire to pursue teaching. Cori has continued her creative studies through assistantships and residencies at the Penland School of Craft, Das Keramikkünstlerhaus Neumünster, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, the New Harmony Clay Project, and Queen City Clay. She is currently a visiting instructor and artist-in-residence in the ceramics program at Kansas State University.

Website: https://www.coricrumrine.com/

Funded in part by KSU SGA Fine Arts Fee

 

Kevin Bernstein Receives Faculty Development Award

Kevin Bernstein

Murmuration, 2024

Acrylic on Panel

h. 12 ½ x w. 24 ½ in

"Wings and Flutters, The CICA Museum, International Solo Exhibition South Korea," $3,500.

This marks Bernstein’s first international solo museum exhibition. The award allows Bernstein to travel to Korea for the exhibition at the CICA Museum, which will run from late May to early June 2024, at the Czong Institute for Contemporary Art. "Wings and Flutters” will showcase a new body of work exploring themes of flight, transformation, and the ephemeral beauty and mystery of nature. He considers how science, math, and technology have continually reshaped humankind's relationship to nature. While each gives a rationale to the other, nature serves as a way for deconstruction and as a mediator. Bernstein desires to reach a tipping point where the natural and artificiality of the made world are in symbiotic interplay, each consuming or subsuming the other.

CICA

Czong Institute for Contemporary Art | Korea

 

Nature Collab Receives University Award

Nature Collab received a $4,500 University Small Research Grant to serve as seed funding for the addition of a collections management system, specimen display cases, a 3D scanner turntable, microscope CMOS camera with reduction lens, a magnifying lamp, and support for student fellow hours.

Recognizing the intrinsic, interconnectedness between the fields of art, design, the sciences, and mathematics, Nature Collab fosters the interdisciplinary study of nature through its research and teaching collection of specimens from the natural world, scientific and mathematical model-building games, resource books, and student artwork inspired by direct engagement with nature.

Nature Collab is a collaboration between the Departments of Art and Entomology, with research affiliates from K-State Department of Art; K-State Department of Entomology and Institute for Digital Agriculture and Advanced Analytics; Kansas Center for Agricultural Resources and the Environment (KCARE), K-State Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources; K-State Department of Physics; K-State Division of Biology; Royal GD, the Netherlands, and Oklahoma State University; and a fish and wildlife biologist from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

For more information, visit https://www.naturecollab.org/

 

April 2024

K-State Department of Art Student Receives International Recognition!

Last month in Richmond Virginia during the annual National Conference on the Education of Ceramic Art (NCECA) K-State student Justice Catron was awarded first place in the undergraduate category for his artistic research. This peer reviewed exhibition was open to every university and college in America and Canada and is the single most competitive student exhibition in the field of ceramics. It coincides with the annual conference which brings in over 6500 attendees. When asked to comment on the selection of Catron’s work the jurors said “Justice received first not only for the depth of the concept of their work, but also for their meticulous considered craftsmanship. Each element in their installation was thoughtfully considered adding layers that enhanced the impact of the work. Negotiating the scale of the piece demonstrates dedication and a commitment to showcasing their work despite logistical challenges.”

 

March 2024

Exhibition by Kyra Litwin

The Kansas State University Department of Art will present the exhibition, “Disintegrating Permanence,” by MFA Candidate Kyra Litwin from March 18-22 in the Mark A. Chapman Gallery in Willard Hall, Kansas State University campus. A reception will be held from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Friday, March 22 in the gallery. Events are free and open to the public.

Kyra Litwin is originally from Appleton, Wisconsin and earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse, with a major in art and minor in archeology. She has participated in numerous regional exhibitions and has won several awards for her drawings and prints.

In her exhibition, Kyra explores her family history, and the palpable impact of generational exchange through drawing and printmaking processes. Her charcoal drawings, dry pigment screen prints, and three-dimensional works created by printing dry, unbound pigment onto sand emulate the passage of time and the concurrent, fading of memory wherein certain details are retained and immortalized, while others deteriorate, becoming blurred, distorted, and forgotten with time. Printing with dry unbound pigments, images are clear, concise, and intact in their initial state. When subjected to time and handling, they begin to distort and blur, becoming at times, reincorporated into the background of the page all together. Extending the conversation of her prints and drawings further, dry, unbound pigments are printed onto sand, producing sharp but transient impressions that will last only for the duration of the show. As the particles break down and the imagery becomes indiscernible, only its essence, and that of the moment remain.

Instagram: @kstatemfaart • @kyralitwin

Support for this show was provided in part by the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Small Grant Program for K-State Graduate Students, and funding by KSU SGA Fine Arts Fee.

The Mark A. Chapman Gallery on the first floor of Willard Hall opened in 2005. Cheryl Mellenthin and Mark Chapman fundeda complete renovation of the former Willard Hall Gallery, increasing the exhibition space to over 1,400 square feet along with400 square feet dedicated to exhibition preparation and kitchen facilities. The Department of Art hosts BFA and MFA studentexhibitions in the gallery as part of graduation requirements each semester. The technology friendly gallery serves not onlyexhibition purposes, but also provides a location for an active Visiting Artist lecture program.