Deck the Halls: Recent donations boost Meadowlark Hills’ Art Collection

By Becky Fitzgerald on September 23, 2015

The calendar says it’s September, but for the past several months, Art Committee members could be convinced it’s Christmas time. Since last spring, various potential donations of fine art and decorative art (framed posters, etc.) have been presented at each of our first Friday-of-the-month meetings for consideration. I believe I speak for a majority of members in saying that it’s been a treat to examine and/or research the proposed gifts. Once accepted, we have the fun of determining where the donations will hang, and then are happy to see them add interest to our hallways or common areas.

Several of our recent donations to our fine art collection have come from residents. These works include “Water Window”, an acrylic painting by Jean M. Ponte, 2251 Meadowlark Road. This depiction of lily pads first was on loan and hanging with two other Ponte paintings on the New Art Wall near the game room. After that exhibit, Ponte agreed to donate one of the three, and “Water Window” can now be seen on second floor, south of apt. 223.

The late Robin Higham donated a 14-print collection titled Wichita’s First 50 Years. Several years ago, the Wichita Art Museum supported local artists by sponsoring this portfolio of early day Wichita scenes. Ed and Jo Lindly, apt. 508, paid to have four of the prints framed, and these now hang on third floor near the northeast elevator.

Two prints accepted into our collection but not yet hanging are “The Uptown Band Unplugged” by Manhattan artist and writer Ann L. Carter, and a signed Woody Crumbo print called “Young Brave”. The Carter work, signed, titled and numbered by the artist, was donated by Manhattan resident Charles Kempthorne, who has coached and encouraged several residents to write their personal histories during classes on our campus. “Young Brave,” produced from a 1968 painting, was donated by Pat Niernberger, 1215 Meadowlark Valley. Woodrow Wilson “Woody” Crumbo (1912-1989) was a Potowatomi Indian who lived and/or worked in Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico and Mexico. Six Crumbo murals grace the Dept. of the Interior Building in Washington, D.C.

The Uptown Band print features three members of that group, which was organized in the early 1990s at the Manhattan senior center and directed for about 10 years by Donna McCallum, a former Meadowlark Hills employee. McCallum identified the female band members (from left to right and dressed in black) as Louise Crump, sister of Passport member Marjory Bayer, Ida Thomas and Ruth Sartain. The band in its heyday had about 45 members, entertaining at local schools, nursing facilities and even at weddings. Watch for these donated prints to appear on the New Art Wall, and see future Messengers for photos and information pertaining to other donated works. There are too many to describe in one story!

The Art Committee and Meadowlark Hills Foundation appreciate these artistic gifts and welcome others. A donor may complete a Gift-in-Kind form to submit for a charitable tax deduction; forms are available by contacting me at (785)-323-3843.