The Wichita Art Museum presents The Harmon and Harriet Kelley Collection of African American Art, in an exhibition on view February 19 through May 13, 2012 features sixty-nine works on paper by influential African American artists from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. In conjunction with the exhibition, The Friends of WAM and The Kansas African American Museum will present a discussion with collectors Harmon and Harriet Kelley.
Elizabeth Catlett (b. 1915), Sharecropper, 1952. Two color linoleum cut.
Dr. Harmon Kelley and his wife Harriet began collecting art as a way of connecting to an aspect of their African heritage of which they were unfamiliar. After visiting an exhibition of African American artists and not recognizing any of the names, the couple vowed to educate themselves and thereby ensure that their two young daughters would become aware of the achievements of African American artists.
Nearly a quarter of a century later, their desire to learn more about their culture has fostered one of the largest, most impressive private collections of African American art in the United States.
“This collection is a testament to the Kelley family’s determination and passion, but it is also an inspiration to anyone who wants to learn more about their culture and its art.” Said Wichita Art Museum Chief Curator Stephen Gleissner. “We could not be more pleased to share this with the community and to encourage the next generation of great artists and collectors.”
In addition to the exhibition, the public will have the unique opportunity to spend a day among the art, learning more about the Kelley Collection as well as the Samella Lewis Collection at The Kansas African American Museum. The Friends of WAM and TKAAM come together to present Exploring a New Field in Collecting: Black Visual Art. This free event is open to the public and will feature an afternoon learning more about the work of prominent artist, curator and professor, Samella Lewis at The Kansas African American Museum followed by a tour of the exhibition and discussion with Dr. and Mrs. Kelley at the Wichita Art Museum. A short reception will follow in the S. Jim and Darla Farha Great Hall.
The exhibition was organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions of Los Angeles, CA.
The Wichita Art Museum opened in 1935. It is home to The Roland P. Murdock Collection, one of the premier collections of American Art in the country. The Museum is proud to be supported through public and private funds, owned by the City of Wichita and managed by a private entity, Wichita Art Museum, Inc. Located at 1400 West Museum Boulevard, the Museum and Museum store are open Sunday noon – 5 p.m., and Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free through September 30 and scheduled school groups are always free. – www.wichitaartmuseum.org