Washburn University College of Arts and Sciences

Celebrate our exhibition "Women of Abstract Expressionism" with brunch and mimosas on Sunday, Oct. 13. Dancer David Parsons and composer Michael Udow will present a special improvisational performance in response to the exhibition!

David Parsons is a dancer and choreographer. He trained at the Alvin Ailey School in New York before joining the Paul Taylor Dance Company. After leaving the Taylor company, he was a guest artist with New York City Ballet for four years. He has choreographed many diverse works, shows, and films, and is the co-founder of Parsons Dance.

Michael Udow is a percussionist, composer, and author. He has composed operas, film scores, ensemble works, chamber music, and solo compositions. He was the 2014-15 Composer-in-Residence with the Colorado Chamber Orchestra, principal percussionist with the Santa Fe Opera (1968–2009), and a University of Michigan professor (1982–2011).

Women of abstract expressionism shake up new art exhibit at Mulvane Art Museum Mulvane Art Museum has opened a new exhibit honoring women in abstract expressionism. Here's what to know.

SOAN's Dr. Alexandra Klales and colleagues/co-PIs from Michigan State University, the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Texas State University, and the University of New Mexico, were just awarded a $2+ million U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Grant for their research project MOSAIC: Unifying Methods of S*x, Stature, Affinity, & Age for Identification through Computational Standardization.

Congrats!! 🥳👏 Washburn University Forensic Anthropology Recovery Unit

Their 3-year project is a proposed non-proprietary computer program that will produce a holistic estimation for all biological profile parameters using a machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) system built using a large database of contemporary skeletal data. The innovations of MOSAIC are the creation of a dataset that encompasses trait and measurement data from the entire skeleton that spans multiple biological profile methods ("matched data") and the use of a robust ML/AI approach to uncover new patterns of interaction within the data, while minimizing variability between practitioners. The project will revolutionize how the biological profile is estimated and reported for unknown decedents encountered in forensic anthropological casework!
To read more about the project, visit:
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/awards/15pnij-24-gg-03840-nijb

Throughout 2024, we're looking back at the 100 year history of art at the Mulvane 🎨❤️

This 1983 painting is by Rita Blitt, a Kansas City-born artist who has dedicated much of her life to exploring art in its many forms. "Finding Center" is part of "Ovals," an expressive series of drawings and paintings that explore abstract form through organic, concentric bands of color. You can see this painting in "Women of Abstract Expressionism," on view in the Rita Blitt Gallery!

Rita Blitt
"Finding Center," 1983
oil on canvas
Permanent collection of the Mulvane Art Museum, Washburn University

Students in Dr. Murphy’s AN371 Archaeology Field & Laboratory Methods class had the opportunity to hear from two guest speakers:

Dr. Nikki Klarmann, State Archeologist, presented “Moving Toward Compliance: New NAGPRA Regulations and What They Mean for the Kansas Historical Society,” and Lisa LaRue Baker, Cherokee Nation and former Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, presented: “Meaningful Consultation with Tribes”

Both talks offered great insight into the future of the practice of archaeology; students will be applying what they learned to help guide their research and work at the Curtis Family Cemetery. Thank you / Wado to our two guests!

Congratulations, Dr. Klales!

WU-FARU’s Dr. Alexandra Klales and colleagues/co-PIs from Michigan State University, the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Texas State University, and the University of New Mexico, were just awarded a $2+ million U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Grant for their research project MOSAIC: Unifying Methods of S*x, Stature, Affinity, & Age for Identification through Computational Standardization.

Their 3-year project MOSAIC, or Methods of S*x, Stature, Affinity, & Age for Identification through Computational Standardization, is a proposed non-proprietary computer program that will produce a holistic estimation for all biological profile parameters using a machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) system built using a large database of contemporary skeletal data. The innovations of MOSAIC are the creation of a dataset that encompasses trait and measurement data from the entire skeleton that spans multiple biological profile methods ("matched data") and the use of a robust ML/AI approach to uncover new patterns of interaction within the data, while minimizing variability between practitioners. The project will revolutionize how the biological profile is estimated and reported for unknown decedents encountered in forensic anthropological casework!

To read more about the project, visit:
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/awards/15pnij-24-gg-03840-nijb

Co-PIs pictured (left to right: Hefner, Spradley, Klales, Lesciotto, Edgar) at grant proposal planning meeting at MSU in March of 2024.

We're saddened to learn about the recent passing of Philomene Bennett, a regional artist, co-founder of Kansas City Artists Coalition, and the subject of a 1986 exhibition at the Mulvane. She will be remembered as a talented painter and a passionate advocate of contemporary artists.

Philomene Bennett
"Ed Love" (detail), 1986
oil on canvas
Permanent collection of the Mulvane Art Museum, Washburn University

Tickets are available at https://cur8.com/18042/project/125191... or at the door before the performance.

Missed the show this weekend?? You still have a chance!!! Come see Exit, Pursued by a Bear NEXT WEEKEND. October 4th & 5th at 7:30pm and October 6th at 2:00pm.

Throughout 2024, we're looking back at the 100 year history of art at the Mulvane 🎨❤️

This work is part of a suite of 34 drawings by Edward Navone, who was an art instructor at Washburn University for many years. The drawings have intricate, dense imagery related to each of the first 34 cantos of "The Divine Comedy," a 14th-century narrative poem by Dante Alighieri. These cantos make up the section "Inferno," in which Dante journeys through Hell and encounters a variety of tormented souls.

Edward Navone
"Dante's Inferno, Canto 30," 1982
ink on paper
Permanent collection of the Mulvane Art Museum, Washburn University

WASHBURN UNIVERSITY
TOPEKA
This Weekend!

📚 Just 2 days to go until the 13th Annual Kansas Book Festival! 🎉

On September 28, 2024, from 9am-4pm at the Washburn University Library (17th & Macvicar), enjoy 24 author panels📖, 40 exhibitors🌟, live music🎶, food trucks🚚, and a children’s activity tent🎉.

Don’t miss the keynote by NYTimes bestselling author Sara Paretsky. The festival is❗FREE❗and open to all ages! See you there! 📖✨

Bring your friends and family to an open-viewing session at the Crane Observatory on campus! 🌌 These sessions are hosted by our Physics and Astronomy Department — and they're totally free! Just stop by during one of the many session times we have left this semester and enjoy some stargazing! ✨

Today is the day! The Mulvane Art Fair's CALL FOR ARTISTS is officially open. Please follow this link to apply: https://ow.ly/sQwP50Twsuy

Kansas Book Festival to be hosted at Washburn University The Kansas Book Festival, featuring Kansas-connected authors from across the country, will host several authors with ties to Washburn University.