COMMUNITY EVENT THIS WEEK!

FALL 2024 EXHIBITION

OPENING CELEBRATION

Thursday, August 29

5:30-8 p.m.

FREE

Join us for an exploration of our newest Ulrich50 exhibitions on display this fall: Dream Machine: Fantasy, Surreality, and Play; [RE]POSE: Leisure Bodies and Empowered Postures; and Ulrich Co-Lab Phase 2. Engage with artists and art fans, and enjoy food, music by Josué Estrada and Kylie Brown, and art-themed fun.

This free event takes place in the Ulrich Museum galleries and everyone is welcome! The party is on from 5:30-8 p.m. Join us at 6 p.m. for brief comments by Executive and Creative Director Vivian Zavataro in the Polk/Wilson Gallery. Here's a look at this season's exhibitions:

Grafly Gallery:
Ulrich Co-Lab Phase 2 open through December 7
For the second phase of this visitor-centered curatorial experiment, we take you through the process of creating an exhibition. No doubt you have heard of the job of an art curator, but do you know what they do? Learn about art exhibitions, research your concept, color, and arrange your selection of artworks using an app specifically created by Wichita State University School of Digital Art’s students. We are thankful to Emprise Bank for being the lead sponsor of this exhibition.

Beren Gallery:
[RE]POSE: Leisure Bodies and Empowered Postures open through December 7
Featuring works from the Ulrich permanent collection as well as special works on loan, [RE]POSE reflects on the reinterpretation of the well-known art historical theme of the reclining figure, and encourages viewers to think about rest in their own lives, to acknowledge the power and privilege of leisure, and to question the agency of their own bodies and space. Organized by the Ulrich Museum of Art. Curated by Jo Reinert, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art.

Polk/Wilson and Amsden galleries:
Dream Machine: Fantasy, Surreality, and Play
Dream Machine is an exciting, interactive experience of the fantastical. A preoccupation with our dreams and nightmares has been demonstrated by artists and writers for centuries. Experience works by a diverse group of modern and contemporary artists that interpret themes of fantasy, play, the surreal, invention, symbols, the natural world, and the metaphysical. Organized by the Ulrich Museum of Art. Curated by Jo Reinert, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art. Special thanks to student and faculty artists of the Wichita State University School of Digital Arts for creating the interactive augmented reality (AR) digital animations for use in the galleries!

Our 2024 Fall exhibitions and associated programs are made possible by the generosity of Ulrich50 donors, for which the Ulrich is very grateful. Special thanks to Art Bridges for their generous support of the exhibition. The Ulrich extends sincere thanks to members of Ulrich Friends with Benefits, whose ongoing support makes programming possible. The City of Wichita and Wichita State University provide funding support for the Ulrich’s general operations.

MUSEUM NEWS
WSU SCHOOL OF DIGITAL ARTS ADDS AUGMENTED REALITY TO DREAM MACHINE

The Ulrich is excited to feature for the first time augmented reality animations in the fall exhibition, Dream Machine: Fantasy, Surreality, and Play, to encourage deeper arts engagement through new technology. The animations—22 in total—were created by Wichita State University’s School of Digital Arts student and faculty artists, who selected and studied works from the exhibition and built digital animations of those works. Students Kate Avalos, Emma Morrill, and Devon A. Robinson, with Digital Media Instructor Cj Marsh, worked throughout the spring and summer to create these moving images.
 
During the exhibition run, museum visitors will have the opportunity to see paintings and drawings come to life through augmented reality, by scanning a QR code with a personal device. This marks the first ever use of augmented reality animation by the Ulrich, and only the second exhibition partnering with the School of Digital Arts to use emerging technology in exhibition engagement!

MUSEUM NEWS
'MILLIE' WILL BE YARN BOMBED TUESDAY TO MARK ANNIVERSARIES

To commemorate the Ulrich Museum's 50th birthday and ten years since the “yarn bombing” of the Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection, a group of friends who gather to enjoy wine and engage in fiber art projects (known as Sip and Stitch) are at it again.

The group's efforts will be focused on “Millie” (Tom Otterness, Millipede, 2008, bronze) who will be adorned with handwork: knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, and crewel embroidery. Approximately 25,000 to 30,000 yards of yarn have been used by 16 artists to create 24 colorful sections, which they will install starting at 9 a.m., Tuesday, August 27. Visit Millie in the garden south of the Ulrich Museum through the month of September to see her finery.

VOLUNTEERS
WANTED: VOLUNTEERS TO JOIN THE ULRICH ALLIANCE
 
Looking for a fun way to meet new people and contribute your time and skills? Join the Ulrich Alliance, a group of volunteers of all ages who assist with our special events throughout the year.

These events extend beyond the WSU campus with opportunities to engage with community members from across Wichita. Some of our offerings include Open Streets, Makers & Masterpieces, Empty Bowls Wichita, Exhibition openings, and various collaborations across campus and beyond. Or help by volunteering at the soon-to-open Ulrich Museum Store! All are great ways to network with a wide array of people of all backgrounds. To learn more, contact Ann Keefer: (316) 978-6646 or [email protected].

Are you an Ulrich Member?

We've seen a big bump in the number of people who follow us on social media in recent weeks, but are you an actual member of the Ulrich Museum? Membership has its privileges... plus, it's free and easy to sign up! Being an Ulrich member is the best way to ensure you keep up to date on all the latest Museum news and happenings. Join now on our website.