By McPherson College
McPHERSON, Kan. — A closing reception for the current exhibit in Friendship Hall at McPherson College will be held on Wednesday, March 27 at noon. The exhibit features the artwork of Topeka artists Barbara Waterman-Peters and Larry Peters. The reception will include a gallery talk and all are invited to attend.
“Barbara and Larry are a power couple in the fine arts of Kansas,” said Michaela Valli Groeblacher, associate professor of art and gallery director at the college. “They have dedicated their lives to creating art and supporting other artists all over the state. Their work is of the highest quality, and it is an honor to have them exhibit at McPherson College.”
The exhibit, titled “A Warning,” features the artists’ paintings, collages, and ceramics. Additionally, Groeblacher pairs her ceramic clowns alongside Waterman-Peters’ clown paintings.
Waterman-Peters, a naturalistic/surrealistic painter, uses images as symbols to tell her story or to express her opinion. She deals with global political and cultural issues through a feminist lens.
Peters is both a ceramicist and a painter. His “paintings” are non-representational collages. Even though highly abstract, the collages exude the spirit of his thoughts about the Holocaust and more current situations in Ukraine and nationally. A few of the collages reference Native American imagery he encountered when hiking in Utah and New Mexico, and his ceramic vessels support that connection.
Groeblacher’s clown series was triggered by an invitation to a self-portrait group exhibition, resulting in Clown #1. Historically, clowns have reflected complex societal and psychological dimensions, which are explored in Groeblacher’s work.
The Friendship Hall gallery is open to the public during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, at McPherson College.
