Events Calendar
Events are free and take place in a variety of locations and formats. The Museum is committed to accessibility for all visitors. Our efforts are ongoing. To request an accommodation for an upcoming event, please contact the Museum in advance at spencerart@ku.edu or 785.864.4710.
December 14
Talk
RHYTHM AND BRUSHSTROKES: MUSIC AND ART10:15AM – 11AM
Spencer intern and PhD candidate in musicology Sara McClure explores the intersections between visual art and music. We'll examine several music-related works on display and hear musicians perform a piece inspired by art.
Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art
December 21
Talk
DIRECTOR’S WINTER SOLSTICE TOUR
2PM
– 3PM
Spencer Museum of Art, 315 Long Ellis Gallery, 316 Simons Gallery, 317 Perkins Central Court, 401 Loo Gallery, 405 Michaelis Gallery, 406 Stewart Gallery, 407 Kress Gallery
Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art
December 21
Talk
DIRECTOR’S WINTER SOLSTICE TOUR
4PM
– 5PM
Spencer Museum of Art, 315 Long Ellis Gallery, 316 Simons Gallery, 317 Perkins Central Court, 401 Loo Gallery, 405 Michaelis Gallery, 406 Stewart Gallery, 407 Kress Gallery
Sponsored By: Spencer Museum of Art
February 14
Talk
ONE HISTORY, TWO VERSIONS
11AM
– 12PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Perkins Central Court, 317
Join Curator Sydney Pursel for a discussion of the exhibition "One History, Two Versions," which features art by contemporary Black artists, and how it connects to themes in the traveling exhibition "Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See."
February 20
Talk
CONVERSATION 1: A GIFT AND A PURCHASE
5:30PM
– 6:30PM
Lawrence Public Library Auditorium, 707 Vermont St
Join Curator Sydney Pursel for a discussion of the exhibition “One History, Two Versions,” which features art by contemporary Black artists, and how it connects to themes in the traveling exhibition “Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See.”
March 20
Talk
JACOB LAWRENCE AND THE LEGEND OF JOHN BROWN
12PM
– 1PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Marshall Balcony, 404
Join Curator Kate Meyer and graduate intern Claire Cox as they discuss the history and continued relevance of Jacob Lawrence's prints depicting the life and death of abolitionist John Brown.
March 28
Talk
THE TRANSFORMATION OF LACE FROM HAND-MADE TO MACHINE-MADE
10:15AM
– 11AM
Spencer Museum of Art, Brosseau Center for Learning
During the 19th century, making lace transitioned from a hand process to a machine process as part of the Industrial Revolution. Retired textile professor Tess van Groll discusses this shift using examples from the Spencer's collection.
April 25
Talk
THE INSPIRING STORY OF A VANDALIZED SIGN
10:15AM
– 11AM
Spencer Museum of Art, Perkins Central Court
Learn the true story of a sign that was stolen, throw in a river, replaced, shot, replaced again, and shot again. Follow the sign as it travels from rural Mississippi to the Smithsonian to the White House to Lawrence with KU Professor Dave Tell, author of the 2019 book "Remembering Emmett Till."
May 01
Talk
ARTIVISM AND AFROFUTURISM
11AM
– 12:30PM
Spencer Museum of Art
B.L.A.C.K. Lawrence members Alex Kimball Williams and Anthony Boynton share their research and its relationship to art displayed in the exhibition “One History, Two Versions.” Williams will speak about police brutality and protest art and Boynton will discuss Afrofuturism.
May 23
Talk
A GOTHIC MARVEL
10:15AM
– 11AM
409 Lee Study Center, Spencer Museum of Art
Experience the splendor of the Spencer's iconic "Tympanum with the Lamentation (Pieta)." Graduate intern and art history doctoral candidate Sarah Dyer explores the history, original location, function, and style of this impressive portal sculpture once placed over the entrance of a Late Gothic Spanish church.
June 13
Talk
JACOB LAWRENCE AND JOHN BROWN
10:15AM
– 11AM
Spencer Museum of Art, Marshall Balcony, 404
Curator Kate Meyer leads a tour of the exhibition "Jacob Lawrence and the Legend of John Brown," discussing the artist and his series of prints as well as John Brown and his ties to Kansas.