Art, Music and So Much More!

POSTEN

February 2025

Curiouser & Curiouser: A Wild and Whimsical Evening of Art

Lindsborg Arts Council

February 8

Come celebrate, with the Lindsborg Arts Council, the 31st annual Art Lovers Affair & Auction! In addition to the silent and live auction of one-of-a-kind pieces donated by local artists and businesses, the Lindsborg Arts Council will also be celebrating this year's 2025 Artist of the Year, Ron Michael.

Michael is being recognized for his "deep and durable contributions” to the arts over 27 years, said Pamela Ash, president of the nonprofit council.

Ash said, "Our board wants to highlight Ron’s work as director of (the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery) that figures prominently in Kansas and regional arts history. Ron’s knowledgeable, encouraging, and easy-going professional style helps build not only a wider appreciation of Sandzen’s work, but also wider circles of friendships for Lindsborg as a creative community."

Read more about Ron Michael by clicking on the Visit Lindsborg blog.

Live music will be provided by Jazz Tangent from Salina. Prepare to be inspired and entertained. This event is the Lindsborg Arts Council's largest fundraiser for high school arts-related scholarships and community grants.

Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here or at the door the night of the event while supplies last. Doors to the J.O. Sundstrom Conference Center, 102 N. Main Street, open at 6:30pm! Watch for updates on the LAC Facebook page and on the LAC website.

127th Annual Midwest Art Exhibition

Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery

January 26-April 20

Mood Indigo detail by Brian Hinkle

Four exhibitions comprise the 127th annual Midwest Art Exhibition, at the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery January 26-April 20. The exhibition includes:

Rearview Mirror, a retrospective by McPherson painter Wayne Conyers
Enigma, paintings by Brian Hinkle of Wichita
Selections from the Society of American Graphic Artists 89th Annual Members Exhibition
Sandzen-Greenough Family Print Highlights from the Permanent Collection

The Midwest Art Exhibition was founded in 1899 by three local Lindsborg artists – Birger Sandzén, Carl Lotave, and G. N. Malm – as a complement to the annual Messiah Festival held at Bethany College. Today, it represents the longest running annual art exhibition in Kansas and primarily features works by artists invited by the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery or from the gallery's permanent collection.

For details on the artists, their statements, and more, read more by clicking on the Visit Lindsborg blog.

These exhibitions are sponsored in part by the Kansas Arts Commission and Radio Kansas. The Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery is located at 401 N. First Street. Hours are 10:00am-5:00pm, Tuesday through Saturday, and 1:00-5:00pm, Sunday. Admission is free, with donations appreciated. Docent tours for groups are available by two-week advance appointment. For more information about Birger Sandzén, the Gallery, and these exhibitions visit the gallery's website or phone (785) 227-2220.

Jay Richardson Photography Exhibit

Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife Center

January 31-February 23

Capturing Lindsborg history for years, Jay Richardson will share a small portion of all he's photographed at the Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife CenterJanuary 31-February 23. As noted by many Lindsborg residents, Richardson and his cameras have been a quiet presence in countless community events. "He’s been diligent and observant in capturing scenes from Lindsborg’s history all these years!" says former Lindsborg resident Bruce Karstadt.

Generous with his talents, Richardson has "had a long career as a freelance commercial photographer, doing weddings, portraits, and group photos, as well as specializing in sports photography for the local newspaper and college (from his bio on his website)."

A reception featuring the artist will be sunday, February 2, 2:00-4:00pm. Come to Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife Center to see a panorama of Lindsborg history.

Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife Center, a volunteer-run organization, is located at 114 1/2 S. Main Street, and is supported by the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, the McPherson County Community Foundation, and the Raymer Society. Hours are Friday-Sunday, 1:00-5:00pm.

Elena Samarsky, Artist-in-Residence

Red Barn Studio Museum

February 7-28

Peacocking by Elena Samarsky

Elena Samarsky, a Ukrainian-born Israeli artist based in New York, brings her vibrant and expressive abstract works to the Red Barn Studio Museum as the artist-in-residence, February 7-28. A reception will be Sunday, February 23, 2:00-4:00pm.

Working primarily with acrylic paint on canvas and canvas panels, Samarsky's art is driven by a fascination with natural landscapes and the expansive freedom they represent.

Visitors to the Red Barn Studio Museum can expect to see a dynamic, evolving workspace where multiple paintings come to life simultaneously. "I often work on several paintings at once, layering paint and black ink, letting it drip and shape the final piece," she explained. This interplay between movement and stillness creates textured surfaces through dents, gouges, and scratches, offering viewers a complex visual and emotional experience.

Read more about Samarsky's process, thoughts, and fascinating artistic journey by clicking on Visit Lindsborg's blog.

The Red Barn Studio Museum is located at 212 S. Main Street. The museum is open Tuesday-Friday, 10:00am-5:00pm and Saturday-Sunday, 1:00-5:00pm. The Raymer Society's Artist-in-Residence program is sponsored in part by the Kansas Creative Arts Industry Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, contact the Red Barn Studio Museum at 785-227-2217.

Historical Speaker Series: Alma Luise Olson

Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum

February 8

The 2024-2025 Historical Speaker Series at the Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum is a primarily online set of presentations highlighting the rich depth of history and knowledge about Smoky Valley’s past.

February's session is Alma Luise Olson. Alma was born and grew up near Lindsborg. She was educated at the Bethany Academy and Bethany College, moved on to Chicago for graduate studies, and then moved to New York City to become a New York Times journalist and a correspondent, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. This online presentation is by Karen Humphrey.

The Historical Speaker Series is developed and organized by the Smoky Valley Historical Association in cooperation with the Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum and funded thanks to a grant from Humanities Kansas.

Each session is free, but registration is required. Registration deadline is 5:00pm, Friday, February 7. A recording of the presentation will be posted to the Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum's YouTube accountthe week following the presentation.

Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum is located at 120 E. Mill Street. The Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum celebrates and preserves the pioneering spirit of the Smoky Valley by educating, entertaining, and building community across generations so that history comes to life. With special emphasis on the period from 1870 to 1910, the museum includes two buildings on the National Register of Historical Places and extensive archives and artifact collections. The museum seeks to honor the rich story of Lindsborg and its people.

Galentine Walk

Downtown Lindsborg

February 13

Grab your Gal Pals and head to downtown Lindsborg for an adventure of food, fun, and shopping!

Multiple downtown businesses will be open 5:00-7:00pm for entertaining and delicious frivolity. What will you find in Lindsborg for a unique expression of fun and friendship?

special menu items
drinks and other delicious treats
hearts, hearts, and more hearts
games
sales, discounts, and giveaways
AND MORE! (all while supplies last)

Of course there's always tea to consume (and dish), sweets to eat, and fun, fun, fun to be had! Make sure to grab a selfie with your besties beside your favorite mural or Dala horse! Tag Lindsborg in those social media posts! Friendships are always worth celebrating! #GalentineWalkLindsborg

Chalk the Välk!

April 12

Registration deadline: March 11

Photo from David Zinn collection, copyrighted

Get ready for the newest event coming to Lindsborg that promises creativity, excitement, and joy!

A section of the Vålkommen Trail will be marked off for artists of all ages to "throw down" their imagination in chalk in this all-day event. Cash prizes, scholarship opportunities, interactions with internationally renowned artist David Zinn and professional artists will enhance this inspiring day.

Reserve April 12 on your calendar now to attend, but you must register soon to participate! Registration deadline is March 11. All ages are welcome to create on the trail by paying the $10 registration fee. Find information, rules and the registration form by clicking on this link.

This event is sponsored by Bethany College, Lindsborg Parks and Recreation Departments, Lindsborg Arts Council, Arts on the Prarie, and Visit Lindsborg.

Kansas' First Women on the Wing Chapter

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever

Do you have an interest in learning more about hunting heritage, connecting with and creating a community of like-minded women, and carrying on the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever mission? The Kansas Prairie Women on the Wing Chapter will provide women with a dedicated space to bond, collaborate, share experiences and influence upland conservation efforts together.

The chapter volunteers will work to promote sustainable land management practices, enhance upland wildlife habitats, engage women in the upland community and build a strong family of women dedicated to preserving Kansas’s natural resources. They will emphasize education and outreach through hands-on learning, workshops and networking to inspire and support women in making impactful conservation decisions.

Smoky Valley Shooting Sports can help with your hunting needs. Located just south of Lindsborg at 2341 14th Avenue, they look forward to your visit whether it's for game management, treestands and blinds, or hunting accessories such as firearm or archery equipment. Hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm and Saturday, 9:00am-1:00pm. Call 785-227-4318 for more information.

To learn more about the Kansas Prairie Women on the Wing Chapter of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, contact chapter president Kari O’Riley. For more information about Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever in Kansas, contact Mika Rezac.