KANSAS kicks off a year of exhibitions and programs commemorating the 150th anniversary of Kansas statehood.

The special exhibition KANSAS features official state symbols and historic artifacts in art and stories by children from Northridge Elementary School—the museum’s neighborhood school in Newton, Kansas. 

USD 373 teachers Gail Pryce (writing and drama) and LaDonna Unruh Voth (art) led the KANSAS project in collaboration with Bethel College students enrolled in “Teaching the Expressive Arts.”  This fall, Pryce, Voth, Denetta Denno (physical education) and Brian Postier (music) met weekly with college students at Northridge to work with children from kindergarten through fourth grade.

The KANSAS project included learning about pattern (Honeybee Quilt), shape (Cheyenne Parfleche), color (Ornate Box Turtle), texture (American Bison) and proportion (Prairie Grasses).  Students used techniques including drawing, painting, sculpting, printmaking and collage.  Writing exercises focused on short stories (Four Season Scarecrows), poetry (Sunflower Cinquains) and songwriting.  Northridge students will perform their song “Oh, I Think My State Is Great” at Kauffman Museum’s “Celebrate Kansas Day!” on January 29, 2011.

An artists’ reception for Northridge Elementary School students will be held in January.  The special exhibition KANSAS will be on display through January 30, 2011.