THE MESSIAH FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS 122ND ANNUAL MIDWEST ART EXHIBITION ANNOUNCED
February 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 is proud to announce the return of sideline cheer, launching with the 2025–26 academic year. Leading the program is newly appointed head coach Patricia Smith, an experienced educator and cheer coach. Sideline cheer will return to Bethany’s home football and basketball games.
Bethany College is pleased to announce the appointment of Audrey Saxton as the new Assistant Professor of English. Saxton earned both her Master of Arts and Ph.D. in English from Penn State University, where she taught courses in writing and composition, world literature, and pre-1800 literature.
Bethany College is pleased to announce the appointment of Megan Case as the new Assistant Professor of Religion. Case earned her doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin in 2016 in Ancient Mediterranean Religions with a graduate portfolio in Women's and Gender Studies.
