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The Path to Your Purpose
THE MESSIAH FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS 122ND ANNUAL MIDWEST ART EXHIBITION ANNOUNCED
Feb 13, 2020
LINDSBORG, KAN., DATE--February 12, 2020- The Midwest Art Exhibition was founded in 1899 by three Lindsborg artists – Birger Sandzén, Carl Lotave, and G. N. Malm – as a compliment to the annual Messiah Festival held at Bethany College. Today, it represents the longest-running annual art exhibition in Kansas.
The exhibition was first held in Bethany’s Old Main building. When the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery opened in 1957, the exhibition was held both in the gallery and at the Pavilion. Eventually, the exhibition shifted to the Gallery.
Throughout the years the Midwest Art Exhibition has changed in makeup. The initial show featured local artists and works from the community, but as the years passed other artists were invited to participate. For many years, works were shown by college students and regional school districts alongside those of professional artists. Currently, the exhibition features primarily works by artists invited by the Sandzén Gallery and may include three to seven separate exhibitions each year.
This year’s show will be on display from March 29 through May 31, 2020. An opening reception will take place on Sunday, March 29, from 2 to 4 p.m. with exhibition talks beginning at 2:30. Exhibitions include paintings by longtime Lindsborg artist Steve A. Scott (1947-2017); enamels by former Bethany student, Fern Aspelin Cole (1917-1979); and works by James Mages of Hays, Kansas.
The Sandzén Gallery is located at 401 North First Street in Lindsborg. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Gallery is closed on Mondays. Admission is free, with donations appreciated. Docent tours for groups are available by two-week advance appointment. For more information about Birger Sandzén, the Gallery, and these exhibitions visit the website www. Sandzén.org or telephone (785) 227-2220.
Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to educate, develop, and challenge individuals to reach for truth and excellence as they lead lives of faith, learning,and service. Bethany connects its past, present, and future with distinctive initiatives like Swedes to Sweden, a free service-learning trip for the sophomore class to Sweden, and the Good Life Scholarship, presenting all local high school graduates with a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to the college. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state.
The exhibition was first held in Bethany’s Old Main building. When the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery opened in 1957, the exhibition was held both in the gallery and at the Pavilion. Eventually, the exhibition shifted to the Gallery.
Throughout the years the Midwest Art Exhibition has changed in makeup. The initial show featured local artists and works from the community, but as the years passed other artists were invited to participate. For many years, works were shown by college students and regional school districts alongside those of professional artists. Currently, the exhibition features primarily works by artists invited by the Sandzén Gallery and may include three to seven separate exhibitions each year.
This year’s show will be on display from March 29 through May 31, 2020. An opening reception will take place on Sunday, March 29, from 2 to 4 p.m. with exhibition talks beginning at 2:30. Exhibitions include paintings by longtime Lindsborg artist Steve A. Scott (1947-2017); enamels by former Bethany student, Fern Aspelin Cole (1917-1979); and works by James Mages of Hays, Kansas.
The Sandzén Gallery is located at 401 North First Street in Lindsborg. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Gallery is closed on Mondays. Admission is free, with donations appreciated. Docent tours for groups are available by two-week advance appointment. For more information about Birger Sandzén, the Gallery, and these exhibitions visit the website www. Sandzén.org or telephone (785) 227-2220.
Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to educate, develop, and challenge individuals to reach for truth and excellence as they lead lives of faith, learning,and service. Bethany connects its past, present, and future with distinctive initiatives like Swedes to Sweden, a free service-learning trip for the sophomore class to Sweden, and the Good Life Scholarship, presenting all local high school graduates with a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to the college. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state.
Bethany College conferred degrees upon 99 students in Presser Hall Auditorium on April 27, 2024. The ceremony honored students who earned Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Music Education from the college during the 2023-2024 academic year. Summer, fall, and spring graduates were honored during a Baccalaureate worship service at 10:30 a.m. in Presser Hall, followed by Commencement at 2 p.m. Campus Pastor Melissa Woeppel led the Baccalaureate Service, and Rev. Lamont Wells, Executive Director of the Network of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Co llege and Universities (NECU). Gracelyn Gaskill '24, a chemistry and music major from Lindsborg, Kansas, provided special music for Commencement. Senior class speakers Inioluwa "Enoch" Ojo '24, a biology major from Katy, Texas, and Benjamin "Ben" Turner '24, a History and Political Science Major from Peyton, Colorado, gave thoughtful remarks on their time at Bethany College, taking time to thank their friends, faculty, and coaches. Dr. Brent Mai '85, Dean of University Libraries at Wichita State University, gave the commencement address, encouraging this year's graduates to go out into the world and exercise the four tenets of stoicism: wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice.
Interim President Steve Eckman commended the efforts of the faculty and staff in securing the grant, stating, "We are immensely grateful to the McPherson County Community Foundation for their incredible generosity. This grant will benefit our students and enrich the educational experiences available in the Smoky Valley community."
The newly appointed Presidential Search Committee will commence their work immediately, aiming to recommend a candidate for Bethany College's 16th president to the board by the April 2025 board meeting.