Current Exhibition
Kevin P. Kelly: Something So Familiar, Something So Far Away.
September 13 - November 8, 2024​​​
Artist Bio
Kevin Kelly is an artist and educator from the middle of America. He earned his Bachelor of Art Education in 2001, and his MFA in painting from Wichita State University in 2008. His artwork is held in many private collections across the United States and has been recognized through the Golden Artist Residency, the Mother’s Milk Artist Residency, the Harvester Arts Community Fellowship program, and the Oklahoma Visual Arts Commission. Kelly has been featured in group and solo exhibits in Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and New York for the last 15 years. His work has been featured in several publications, including New American Paintings, Studio Visit magazine, and the book Wichita Artists in Their Studios.
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https://www.shoutwichita.com/how-to-sneak-up-on-a-painting/
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Artist Statement
The story of painting was partially supposed to be about uncovering creative possibilities, freezing an artistic gesture, and finding an individual identity. These artworks awkwardly occupy that space between a romanticized, painterly experience of the world and the unromantic surroundings of the Midwest I grew up in. That landscape is characterized by utility, heavy-handed social and political messaging, and a restrained dialect. But both worlds are colored by nostalgia, memory, and moments of joy. I am looking through the cracks of painting, looking for the margins as I dissect its processes. By taking painted gestures and my surroundings out of their normal contexts, I hope to give both a fighting chance.
Upcoming Exhibitions
​​​Christmas at the Heaton Building
November 18 - December 31, 2024
Past Exhibitions
Julie Peterson Shea
July 31 - August 25, 2024​​​
Artist Bio
Julie Peterson Shea is an artist and illustrator from rural Kansas who creates predominantly black and white illustrations. Peterson Shea attended several midwestern universities before finally graduating from Fort Hays State University in 1995 with a BA in Art Education and in 2002 with an MFA with an emphasis in Drawing and a minor in Ceramics. She has taught high school and middle school art since 1995 in Phillipsburg, KS. Julie has exhibited in numerous solo and group shows, most recently receiving Best of Show at the Hardt of the Midwest Miniature Show in Saint Francis, Kansas, in November 2023 and 2nd place in the Missouri State University First Annual Virtual National Juried Art Exhibition for K-12 and Community College Art Teachers, March 2024.
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Artist Statement
Other than the birth of my five children, one event has completely changed the trajectory of my artistic journey. In November 2004, my family and I were in a terrible and surreal accident. All five of my children sustained injury with the most severe in a coma for 29 days. Doctors told us he may never wake up, and his prognosis if he did, was not favorable. This event broke me as I surrendered all pretense of control over the lives of my children. I was introduced to brain injury, learning disabilities, and lost memories, but also the joy of having my children given to me a second time and the grief of letting go of the image of who I thought they would become. Because of this event, I have seen miracles. All other trials in life before and since seem minor in comparison. There was never a "why me", it was always "why not me" and this perspective has made me who and what I am today. This broken place taught me many things and pushed me to evolve and adapt.
I do not believe it is possible to explain who I am and why I create without this narrative. The perseverance, strength, optimism, faith, darkness, and odd sense of humor that grew out of difficulty all find their way into my art. My work is a journal filled with emotions, ideas, words, symbols, and images that my introverted self cannot express audibly. It is a place where I am still trying to make friends with my demons, but also a place where I explore the shedding of regret, fear, melancholy, and pain; and work to hold on to goodnesses, such as love, empathy, kindness, and connection - I strive for storytelling via personal and historical symbols.
Common themes are beauty found in nature, the poignant beauty of optimism originating from a place of darkness or trial, the cycle of life and death, living in the present moment, and accepting self. Many of my works originate from dark places where I felt brokenness and despair yet was filled with optimism, hope, and humor.
Joseph R. Tomelleri
June 15 - July 30, 2024
Nationally acclaimed fish illustrator Joseph R. Tomelleri hosted an Opening Night Reception on June 14, 2024 in the Gloria A. Nelson Cultural Arts Center.
Tomelleri, aka "Piscatorial Picasso" has been illustrating fish since 1985. Joe works in Prismacolor pencil, and his 1,100+ illustrations have been rendered from actual fish to ensure scientific accuracy. He has collected the majority of his specimens in the field so he can study and photograph the fish and preserve them for use in the illustrations.
Norton Community High School Advanced Art Students
May 2 - June 10, 2024
For the second year, the Norton Community High School’s Advanced Art Students were invited to present their work in the gallery. This year, eleven students are presenting their collections, which feature a variety of techniques and media including drawing, printmaking, photography, painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, and more. Exhibiting artists are: Rob Manning, Mackenzie Clydesdale, Jarrett Hagen, Eli Miller, Mareesa Hempler, Jeffrey Fick, Natalie Simmons, Tesah Stagemeyer, Ella Juenemann, Brynna Brown, and Corbin Puga.
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The exhibition opened with a reception and awards ceremony from 6:00 – 7:30 PM on May 2nd. The exhibition features approximately 200 works of art and will be on view through June 10th. Several of the artworks are for sale. There is an Artist Contact list in the gallery for those interested.
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Click to view the exhibition virtually: https://mls.ricoh360.com/69a1b739-cda5-40f2-ac30-08177a3b5279 ​​
Norton Correctional Facility
March 18 - April 30, 2024
From the Norton County Arts Council's Facebook Page: “Beyond the Fence” is a curation of art created by NCF residents who have redefined the boundaries of expression within prison walls. Through drawings, paper sculptures, and mixed media, these artists share their unique perspectives on life, time, and freedom.
Don’t miss this opportunity experience creative expression that amplifies unheard voices from beyond the fence in Norton County.
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This is exhibit is part of an ongoing collaborative partnership between the Norton Correctional Facility and the Norton County Arts Council through the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission Innovative Partnership grant. Match funding for this collaborative project was also made possible through the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Pathways to a healthier Norton County placemaking grant with the Norton Regional Health Foundation.
Additional projects that are part of the grant scope include a dual mural project led by community muralis, Dave Loewenstein to engage NCF residents and the communityin creating a mural at the chow hall at NCF and a mural at the Haven by June of 2024. This project will be filmed using supplemental funding from the BCBS Pathways grant.
Norton County Arts Council's outreach at NCF has included bringing live music to NCF and showcasing art from residents during the 2023 Match Day.
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View the exhibition online: https://view.ricoh360.com/694fcb5b-f3cd-4d28-b8b0-a8099f75f9b9
Julia Leggent: Time Well Spent
February 1 - March 15, 2024
Julia Leggent grew up in Norton, Kansas. She received her B.F.A. in Painting from Fort Hays State University in 2017 and her M.F.A from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2021. After receiving her MFA, Julia held a year-long residency at the LUX Center for the Arts, where she found joy in sharing art with the community. Julia currently works and lives in Lincoln, where she serves as Gallery Director/Lecturer at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
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Julia explores personal and universal topics through detailed paintings that typically operate at a one-to-one scale. These images of flesh, pills and other objects follow her routines, thoughts, and worries but are meant to be widely relatable. "I hope to bring awareness to social, political, and feminine themes while drawing the viewer in and inciting interest in the ever-changing visual aspects of everyday life," said Leggent. Her work as been displayed across the Midwest, including solo shows at Kiechel Fine art (Lincoln, NE), Lux Center for the Arts (Lincoln, NE) and Osborne Family Gallery (Omaha, NE).
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Website: julialeggent.art
Email: juliaelise.art@gmail.com
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Call for Artists!
The Gloria A. Nelson Cultural Arts Center is currently seeking applications for new artists to give YOU the opportunity to share your work!
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Any type of Art is accepted, ex: Painting, Drawing, Mixed Media, Prints, Photography, Sculptures and 3D art.
Please fill out the form below. Once filled out, please email your portfolio to foundation@nortonccf.org. Please send up to 5-10 photos of your work. ALL submissions are considered!
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Professional Inquiries Only!