KU News Release

KU graduate student’s public art project to go on display in Kansas City

LAWRENCE — Sarah Kephart, a master’s student in sculpture at the University of Kansas, was recently selected as one of six winners in the Kansas City, Mo., Municipal Art Commission’s Avenue of the Arts project.

The international competition was a call for artists to submit a public art proposal for installation in Kansas City, Mo.

Kephart will receive $5,000 to create her installation, “It Blingz,” to be installed in downtown Kansas City the first weekend in May and remain there through the summer. She will be among those honored at a May 16 reception at the Folly Theatre, 300 W. 12th St., Kansas City, Mo.

Of the 11 semifinalists identified in the competition, four were KU students in the public art class taught by John Hachmeister, associate professor of sculpture, and Matt Burke, assistant professor of sculpture. In addition to Kephart, the students were Jordan Briceland, Maize senior; Patricia Haines, Oskaloosa senior; and Matt Farley, Lawrence senior.

“ ‘It Blingz’ is a large metal necklace that reflects my admiration for Kansas City,” said Kephart. “The medallion was designed to reflect the Kansas City skyline, reflected side to side and top to bottom, to create the form. There will be a silver metallic vinyl map of Kansas City adhered to the front surface.”

Kephart added, “The idea to create this piece originated from the ways in which we as individuals decorate, adorn and illuminate our bodies. Jewelry is also something that all cultures can relate to, which will hopefully make the piece approachable by all walks of life, which is important in all of my works.”

Kephart, who was born in Salina, graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in 2004 from Wichita State University. While at KU, she has organized and curated an exchange show between Wichita State and KU graduate art programs and participated on the student tuition differential committee. She also teaches Drawing I and Drawing II classes at KU.

Since 2000, the Avenue of the Arts program has been an annual summer exhibition of temporary public artwork created by six regional artists. Works are selected by a panel of arts professionals and business and community representatives.

Students are listed below by hometown, level in school, major and, when available, parents’ names and previous school information.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66044, Derby, Salina and Wichita
Sarah Kephart, Lawrence, master’s student in sculpture, daughter of Charles Kephart of Salina and Michael Kephart of Wichita; Derby High School; bachelor’s degree from Wichita State University.

From Lawrence 66047
Matt Farley, senior in sculpture; Wichita High School East.

JEFFERSON COUNTY
From Oskaloosa 66066
Patricia Gaines, senior in history of art; Granger High School, West Valley City, Utah.

SALINE COUNTY
From Salina 67401, Derby, Lawrence and Wichita
Sarah Kephart. See DOUGLAS COUNTY

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Maize 67101
Jordan Briceland, senior in sculpture, son of Tom and Jody Briceland; Maize High School.

From Derby and Wichita, Lawrence and Salina
Sarah Gephart. See DOUGLAS COUNTY

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