Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art announces opening of new exhibitions
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art is inviting the public to celebrate the grand opening of two new exhibitions.
The opening reception of Sea to Shining Sea: The American Landscape and Waylande Gregory: Deco Design are free and open to the public from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20.
Light refreshments and a cash bar will be available at the free event, where people of all ages are welcome to attend.
According to a news release, both exhibitions offer unique perspectives on American art, from the nation's diverse landscapes to the legacy of a designer whose work helped shape St. Joseph's architectural history.
Sea to Shinging Sea: The American Landscape brings together a diverse collection of landscape artwork by artists from across the United States.
The exhibition features both traditional and contemporary interpretations and explores the beauty and variety of the American landscape through different artistic perspectives.
The national juried exhibition received 427 entries from 157 artists, with juror Lisa Grossman selecting 53 works by 43 artists representing 21 states.
Grossman is a painter and printmaker based in Lawrence, Kansas, and is known for her work focusing on the prairies and river valleys of eastern Kansas.
During the reception, Grossman will present a juror's talk at 6 p.m., followed by the presentation of exhibition awards.
Waylande Gregory: Deco Design is an exhibition highlighting the work and artistic legacy of Waylande Gregory, whose contributions to St. Joseph's historic Missouri Theater remain an important part of the city's architectural heritage.
The exhibition recognizes Gregory's role in the creation of the Missouri Theater and City Hall, as St. Joseph prepares to celebrate the centennial of the two landmarks in 2027.
Gregory, as a young artist, sculpted the elaborate plaster decorations adorning the walls and ceiling of the Missouri Theater, drawing inspiration from Persian and Assyrian architecture and sculpture.
Gregory's artistic career extended beyond architectural design; beginning in the late 1930s, he produced sculptural figures, plates and other decorative objects in his distinctive Art Deco style.
