The Newman University Steckline Gallery will present “From the Garden” by artists Charles Baughman and Dan Gegen as the sixth show of its 2012-2013 season. The exhibit of ceramics works and paintings, which begins with a Final Friday reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22, will be on display through March 22. Both the reception and admission to the gallery are free and open to the public.
An “Art for Lunch” presentation by Baughman and Gegen will be held Tuesday, Feb. 22 from noon to 1 p.m. in the gallery. A light lunch will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests can also bring their lunch. This event is also free and reservations are not required.
Charles Baughman is a nationally known artist as well as a long-time art educator. He received his bachelor’s degree in studio arts and art history from Kearney State College in Kearney, Neb., and his Master of Fine Arts in painting/sculpture from Wichita State University. Baughman has an extensive background as a fine artist, exhibiting work around the country, and has been involved in art education for over a decade.
Baughman has been an instructor at the Wichita Art Museum, Wichita State University, Cowley County Community College, Butler County Community College, Wichita Center for the Arts, and Friends University. He has developed and taught classes ranging from art appreciation and figurative sculpture to advanced drawing courses and painting.
“I paint what I love. My work reflects my interests,” Baughman said. “My interests range from the garden to the kitchen to the people who are dear to me. I typically work in a series exploring an image over and over to discover something more about it. I think of my work as low relief sculptures building up paint and surface patterns. I sometimes cut them apart, reworking the shapes with new color and texture. I believe in a willingness to destroy what I have to create something new.”
Dan Gegen has been an art instructor and head of the Art Department at Maize South High School since 2006. He has previously taught at Wichita Center for the Arts, Friends University, Arizona State University and Southwestern College, and was an artist in residence at the Winfield Public Schools. He is currently artist in residence for the Wichita Public Schools.
Gegan works with ceramics and has been involved with many public art projects around the Wichita area, including imagery on U.S. Highway 54 between Tyler Road and Maize Road. He is currently working on continuing that concept on Highway 54 at I-235, and from 119th Street to 135th Street West. Gegan also designed and assisted in the fabrication of ornamental patterns used on the interior and exterior surfaces of the City of Wichita Parking Garage at 455 N. Main. His work has been featured in many publications and displayed in numerous exhibits throughout the country.
“As an art instructor I believe in creating a nurturing environment for students to explore processes and individual ideas through their art,” Gegan said. “I ultimately believe in creative problem solving skills and expect all of my students to develop those skills. I always present more than one solution to a specific problem. In modeling to the students that there is more than one answer to the project, I encourage students to ask questions and to come up with their solutions.
“As a practicing professional artist I am able to demonstrate practical application to the arts. Through my examples of studio art, commissions, published articles and large scale public art projects, [students] can gain an understanding of how art is an integral part of our everyday lives.”
The Steckline Gallery is located inside the De Mattias Fine Arts Center on the Newman campus, 3100 McCormick. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointment. For more information, call 316-942-4291, ext. 2199.
