These past exhibitions combine online didactic content and images in ways that cannot be experienced in other areas on the site. For a complete list of past Spencer exhibitions, visit our past exhibitions.
Ubu's Almanac: Alfred Jarry and the Graphic Arts
This exhibition was shown at the Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, from April 11 - May 31, 1998. This feature includes pictorial documentation of books edited or produced by Jarry that were included in the exhibition that are not fully illustrated elsewhere on the museum site.
The Prairie Print Makers
The Prairie Print Makers Collection at the Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, was originally assembled by Bud Jennings. Driven by the spirit of the hunt, Jennings pieced together a formidable archive of prints and materials relating the Prairie Print Makers. This feature provides information about how this collection was established at the Spencer, a short explanation about the history of the Prairie Print Makers and their activities, images of the annual gift prints issued by the group, and selected additional prints by its members.
Remembering the Family Farm
This popular exhibition, which opened at the Spencer in 2001 and toured through 2004, examines the material culture of the American farm as documented by prints of farm implements, barns, silos, farmhouses, and outbuildings. The prints reproduced in this feature are from the personal collection of Steven Schmidt as well as the Spencer Museum of Art permanent collection.
Alberto Vargas Essays
In 2001, the Spencer exhibited its collection of pinups designed for Esquire magazine by Alberto Vargas. Due to copyright restrictions, a catalogue for this exhibition was not published. Instead, essays by Stephen Goddard, Maria Elena Buszek, Maureen Honey, Susie Bright, and Andrea Dworkin, as well as the label copy from the exhibition are published here without illustrations.
Printed Art and Social Radicalism
This small exhibition from 2002 presents examples of social-activist printed art from the twentieth century. These artists produce work that often rises above the simplistic notion of propaganda, drawing on their genuine sense of commitment and engagement to find novel ways to communicate their convictions. This checklist frequently serves as a source of inspiration for educators searching for ways to teach from the collection.