Spencer Museum of Art

University of Kansas 
1301 Mississippi Street
Lawrence, Kansas 66045
(785) 864-4710

Free      Tuesday - Saturday 10AM - 5PM
Sunday 12 - 5PM,  Thursday extended to 9PM

Spencer Museum of Art - Lawrence, Kansas
Helen Foresman Spencer Museum of Art

The Helen Foresman Spencer Museum of Art 's seven galleries display selections from the University of Kansas permanent collection of more than 25,000 works of art. Special exhibitions are displayed in four additional galleries. During the school year, the Spencer Museum of Art offers workshops and art lectures almost every day of the week.

Thursday is the busiest day at the Spencer Museum of Art. The galleries are open until 9PM, and a changing schedule of films, musical performances, and lectures are offered at 7. Over lunch during the academic year, from 12:15–12:45, enjoy a brief, focused discussion of an exhibition or work of art. 

I like the Spencer Museum of Art, but don't always agree with the decisions that have been made about how to exhibit the art. Several "innovative" exhibition techniques are being tried, with various levels of success.

17th Century Europe Gallery at Spencer Museum of Art
17th Century Europe Gallery

Mawdsley sculpture at Spencer Museum of Art
Alpha-Omega: Water Tower #5 by Richard W. Mawdsley

Inovative display at the Art
Each of the artifacts in this display is arranged with a question intended to interest and prepare visitors for more
active display.

Persian Wall by Dale Chihuly
Persian Wall by Dale Chihuly is mounted high on a wall with poor lighting where it is difficult to view.

20/21 Gallery in Spencer Museum of Art in Lawrence
20/21 Gallery

Violet Persian Set with Red Lip Wraps by Dale Chihuly
Violet Persian Set with Red Lip Wraps by Dale Chihuly is better lighted, but visitors have
to go find a notebook and look up the work to even find out who created the work.

Art by John Steuart Curry and Thomas Hart Benton
Works by two famous regional artists.
Top: sketch for Tragic Prelude by John Steuart Curry.
Bottom: The Ballad of the Jealous Lover of Lone Green Valley by
Thomas Hart Benton.

Faberge and 19th Century European Jewelry
Faberge and 19th Century European Jewelry.

Helen Foresman Spencer Museum of Art website
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copyright 2005-2008 by Keith Stokes