October 25, 2017
Volume 144, Issue 10 News Pages 1-3 CAB DIY series
Opinion Page 4 JFK files to go public
washburnreview.org Sports Pages 9-12
Features Pages 5-8 Boo at the Zoo, YWCA
WU Football falls to UMC
Vibrant gallery houses Kansas artist’s collection Jessica Knieff Washburn Review jessica.knieff@washburn.edu
Rita Blitt feels as though she is “dancing on paper.” The Rita Blitt Gallery and sculpture garden opens to the public at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 3 in conjunction with Topeka’s First Friday Art Walk. The Mulvane Art Museum will hold a meet and greet in Blitt’s honor. Following the 2015 announcement of a donation of around 800 pieces of her work and a gallery to house them in, the grassy area adjacent to White Concert Hall was transformed into an exhibition of the life’s work of world-renowned artist, Rita Blitt. A Kansas City native, Blitt’s work celebrates her love of nature, music, dance and the spontaneous flow of movement captured in the drawn gesture, according to her website. The gallery features paintings, as well as both indoor and outdoor installation pieces. The outdoor sculpture garden features a fire pit for art enthusiasts to occupy. According to a May press release, this will create a meaningful link between the performing and visual arts on campus. Sarah Towle, director of marketing and communications for the Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation, worked with Blitt throughout the installment of the
Photos by Jessica Knieff
Above: Paintings are hung in anticipation of the gallery’s opening Nov. 3.
“In 1975, when I first saw the installation of six foot Lunarblitt XVI, fabricated from my tiny drawing, I realized the importance of the lines that I had been doodling all my life. From that time on, I have allowed lines to spontaneously flow from me in a series of ten to thirty at a time. These deeply felt lines have become paintings up to 33 feet wide, sculpture up to 60 feet tall and the inspiration for my films. Often, when making my lines, I feel like I am dancing.” — Rita Blitt, 2011
gallery. “It’s really special to [Blitt] because it’s all about the combination of music and art,” Towle said. The location of the new gallery was intentional as her art features so much movement, so does the music that will be heard from White Concert Hall and Garvey Fine Arts Center as visitors enjoy the gallery. According to Towle, one of Blitt’s favorite pieces is “Serenity,” which she drew following the birth of Dorianna, her granddaughter. The artwork in the museum shines light on more
than seven decades worth of artwork from the various stages of her life. Shannon Sweeney, collections manager and registrar for the Mulvane Art Museum, oversaw some of the installment of the pieces in the gallery. “The exciting thing is that Rita’s work involves so much movement,” Sweeney said. “Situating it here next to White Concert Hall expands awareness about arts and how interconnected they are.” Blitt’s gallery may be new addition on campus, but students have been enjoying
“I only intended to dance across the canvas with joy after the birth of my granddaughter Dorianna. It was a surprise to me to discover possible suggestions of the wonder of birth in my painting.” — Rita Blitt
her artwork for some time now. The sculpture that was placed in front of the new Morgan Hall Welcome Center is Blitt’s piece, “Confluence of Love and Learning.” It was installed in October of 2015 after its purchase by Washburn alumni. Miyuki Nishimura, senior art major, has studied Blitt’s work and said that she feels the university and Blitt have a close relationship. She said that Blitt’s works give
her a sense of closeness as well. “I believe that her works give a lot of inspiration to people in different ways by making them think,” Nishimura said. For more information on the Rita Blitt Gallery and sculpture garden, contact the Mulvane Art Museum at (785) 670-2427 or hear from Blitt at a brown bag lecture at noon Nov. 7 in the new gallery space.
Pretty in pink: ZTA holds philanthropy week Charles Rankin Washburn Review charles.rankin@washburn.edu
October is breast cancer awareness month, and Washburn’s Zeta Tau Alpha sorority is calling attention of the cause to benefit Think Pink Week, as it hosts events on campus throughout the week of Oct. 23. During Think Pink Week, the sorority promotes breast cancer education and
awareness by handing out the familiar pink ribbons, hosting events at the Zeta house and aiding local and national efforts to support breast cancer awareness and fundraising efforts. “Of course you’ve seen how the NFL wears pink throughout the month,” said Taryn Wilkins, senior mass media major and Zeta member. “On a national level, chapters will go and hand out the pink ribbons beforehand for people to
wear during those games.” Wilkins said that over 19 million ribbons have been handed out nationally. Students can stop by the Zeta table in the Memorial Union this week and pick up one to wear and show support for the cause. Zeta has three main fundraising events planned throughout the week this year. Oct. 23, Zeta hosted Think Pink on page 3
Photo by Charles Rankin
Scoop it out: Zeta members Ashley Smith and President Stephanie Jones serve up frozen custard during the Sundaes on Monday fundraising event.
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