Published: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 4:58 PM CDT

Courtesy: McPherson Sentinel's Sentinet

LINDSBORG -- Birger Sandzén's gifts and talents were dedicated to the appreciation, and enjoyment, of the arts 50 years ago,

On Oct. 20, 1957, the reality of a small gallery dreamed of by Sandzén was realized. 

Sandzén's 52 years as a teacher at Bethany College, his productivity as a Lindsborg studio artist and his encouragement of the arts has brought national and international recognition to the Sandzén Gallery in Lindsborg. 

Electronic communication and the ease of messaging brings constant inquiries to the Gallery's curator, Ron Michael, about Sandzén art, former students of Sandzén and gallery artists.

The Gallery has had more than 1,100 guest artist shows and special exhibitions. Annual and biennial exhibitions as well as retrospectives and special exhibitions to recognize historical events are included yearly with eight to ten guest artist shows and one or two group shows. 

Birger Sandzén and Alfrida Sandzén were talented musicians who performed and taught at Bethany College. More than 100 other recitals, concerts, and special music programs have filled the first 50 years of Gallery history.  

The first music recital was given on Oct. 15, 1957, five days before the dedication of the Gallery. Bethany music faculty Professors Lloyd Spear, violinist, and Roy Henry Johnson, pianist performed Handel's Sonata IV in D Major, Braham's Sonata A Major, and Edward Grieg's Sonata II in G.

Later, the very popular Gallery Trio first performed at the Gallery in 1987. The trio of Linda Lungstrom, cello; Ruth Ann Leaf, violin; and Linda Newfield, piano; continue to perform in local and surrounding area concerts.  The Trio's 20-year record of performances is remarkable. 

In 1983, the first docent class was organized by Mrs. Dick Elving from her many years of docent experience at the Wichita Art Museum.  Docents encourage, educate, and provide information to tour groups, and help with receptions for artists and exhibitions. They enjoy giving tours and providing art classes for children. Their work with young people builds a bright future for art museums and galleries. Being a docent is a serious volunteer commitment of time and energy, and a labor of love.     

Information and historical research is provided by the Gallery Archives.  Database summaries of letters and filing of documents and photographs which was begun in 1993 is well underway thanks to volunteer archivist Delmar Homan and assistant, and Greenough Trust Officer Norman Shogren. 

The Swedish letter database now summarizes 2,607 letters and the English database now summarizes 6,561 from 1910 through Nov. 25, 1916 and 1920 through 1952 for a computer-catalogued total of 9,168 letters.  By this time next year, the English database will include letters from 1910 well into the 1950s, with thousands more letters still to be catalogued in the database.

Archival letters about the building of the Gallery in the 1950s include letters from Emory Lindquist to Margaret and Pelham Greenough, daughter and son-in-law of Sandzén, dated April 20, 1955, and a letter from Beth and Kempton Lindquist, children of Emory and Erma Lindquist dated March 23, 1955. 

Emory wrote in 1955, "We are thrilled anew every time we think about the Birger Sandzén Foundation -- and we think of it so often. I believe it [the Gallery] will bring a blessing to you and to everyone.  With best regards, Emory." 

Beth and Kempton wrote: "We have heard mother and father talk about the nice thing you did to honor our good friend Dr. Sandzén.  We thank you.  We know that many boys and girls will now see the nice pictures and even when we are as big as mother and father, we can still see those beautiful pictures,  Thank you again, Respectfully, Beth and Kem Lindquist."

On October 20, and throughout this coming year, the Gallery will recognize that from a decision by three Sandzén family members, Alfrida Leksell Sandzén, Margaret Sandzén and Charles Pelham Greenough has come an arts organization recognized nationally and internationally. 

"Kind friends" the words Sandzén used to begin his talks describes the many who have made the first 50 years possible. Future plans will present challenges to bring new dreams to reality.  

With the optimism of Birger Sandzén, 2057, the 100th anniversary is only 50 years away.