Submitted by Jo Lindly

What is it? It consists of residents who volunteer, plus an advisor (Jay Nelson) who helps direct and facilitate the collection. The advisor is non-voting member. Committee functions are to manage content, placement and condition of the collection house in independent living and Community Center areas. They work closely with the administration representative on the committee who keeps records and inventory of the collection.

The gallery is considered to be on the first floor. The other four floors contain works primarily, but not entirely, of museum quality works.

The committee has criteria for the collection pieces, which include that the art work must be an original work of art. The artist should be a significant member of the art community as determined by their exhibit record, sales history and/or academic career. The artist should be from Kansas area of the subject of work be of Kansas area.

Our yearly inventory assures monitoring of art works on all five floors. The most fun is learning about the history of pictures and other works. Our Prairie Star sculpture on the patio off the restaurant was a contestant for the figure to be put atop the Topeka Capitol building. The Indian with his bow and arrow looks great atop the Capitol, but we have the “Prairie Star” right here at Meadowlark Hills! She depicts the Roman Goddess of grain, from which the word cereal comes! Also, there is a series of original prints (Stamey Collection) chosen by ‘Friends of Art’ Association and awarded to their patrons each year. The series began in 1934 and we continue to collect to this day. They are found in the West corridor (office area) of first floor. Find your favorite!