Friday, February 3
6:00–8:00 p.m.
Meet the Artist: Eric Fertman: Here's Your Hat, What's Your Hurry?
Kemper at the Crossroads | Free, No Registration Required
With the skillful hand of a woodworker and the collaged imagery of a cartoonist, Eric Fertman creates sculptures that evoke works by artists Philip Guston and Martin Puryear as well as drawings that evoke the urban grit of cartoonist R. Crumb. The Brooklyn-based artist embraces humor and whimsy and juxtaposes exaggerated bulbous “feet” with delicate and slender elements in his abstracted sculptures. This is the first solo museum exhibition for the Boston native who earned his BFA from Cooper Union in 1997.
Above: Eric Fertman, Stems, 2010; stained oak, steel, horsehair, 50 in. x 18 in. x 12 1/2 in.; Image courtesy of the artist and Susan Inglett Gallery
Saturday, February 4
1:00–1:30 p.m.
Meet Me at the Museum Drop-in Tour
Kemper Museum | Free, No Registration Required
Join a Kemper Museum docent for a lively discussion and tour of the Museum’s current exhibitions.
Saturday, February 4
2:00–3:00 p.m.
Gallery Conversation—A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to ArtForum: The (Mis)adventures of a Young Artist in New York City
Kemper at the Crossroads | Free, No Registration Required
Join artist Eric Fertman and Chief Curator Barbara O'Brien in a freewheeling conversation that looks at his studio practice and inspirations that according to ArtForum "combine craft with comedy." Fertman's visit is part of the Karen and Jack Holland Visiting Artist Program.
Saturday, February 11
10:00 a.m.–noon, Ages 7–10
1:00–3:00 p.m., Ages 11–15
ArtReach: Framing Faces
Kemper Museum | Free, Registration is Required
Join figurative painter Vanessa Lacy for an exploration of portraits in the exhibition, Wilbur Niewald: The Studio Portrait. Lacy will then assist students in creating their own self-portrait using mirrors, watercolors, markers, and colored pencils.
Wilbur Niewald, Self Portrait, 2010; oil on canvas, 32 x 23 in.; Courtesy of the artist.
Saturday, February 11
1:00–1:30 p.m.
Meet Me at the Museum Drop-in Tour
Kemper Museum | Free, No Registration Required
Join a Kemper Museum docent for a lively discussion and tour of the Museum’s current exhibitions.
Saturday, February 18
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Scavenger Saturdays for Families
Kemper Museum | Free, No Registration Required
Hone your art detective skills and discover something new about contemporary art at the Kemper Museum. The third Saturday of each month is Scavenger Saturdays for families. Children with adults may pick up a self-guided activity at the Visitor Services Desk and follow the clues on this “ART-astic” adventure. When finished with the activity, children may pick up a take-home, art-making activity kit. No reservations are required.
Scavenger Saturdays at the Kemper Museum are made possible with generous support from the R.A. Long Foundation.
Saturday, February 18
1:00–1:30 p.m.
Meet Me at the Museum Drop-in Tour
Kemper Museum | Free, No Registration Required
Join a Kemper Museum docent for a lively discussion and tour of the Museum’s current exhibitions.
Friday, February 24
6:30–7:30 p.m.
An Evening for Educators
Kemper at the Crossroads | Free, Registration Required
K–12 art educators are invited to an evening of looking, learning, sharing, and mingling. Museum Educator Lauren Park offers information about Fertman’s mixed-media sculptures, and participants swap lessons plans and project ideas that incorporate everyday objects. Space is limited; registration is required. Contact 816-457-6136 or reservations (at) kemperart (dot) org.
Saturday, February 25
10:00 a.m.–noon, Ages 7–10
1:00–3:00 p.m., Ages 11–15
ArtReach: New Additions
Kemper Museum | Free, Registration is Required
Artist Jason Barr will lead students through The Big Reveal highlighting several new acquisitions to the Museum’s permanent collection. Inspired by these new additions, students will create their own masterpiece using a variety of materials and techniques.
Susanne Kühn, Regina arbeitet, 2009; oil on canvas, 79 x 90 3/4 inches; Collection of the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum purchase made possible by a gift from the Carter Community Memorial Trust 2010.21
Saturday, February 25
1:00–1:30 p.m.
Meet Me at the Museum Drop-in Tour
Kemper Museum | Free, No Registration Required
Join a Kemper Museum docent for a lively discussion and tour of the Museum’s current exhibitions.
Friday, March 2
noon–1:30 p.m.
Kansas City Design Week: Jeremy "MAD" Madl: Toy Designer and Illustrator
Kemper Museum | Free, No Registration Required
Learn how to propel your brand with internationally famous designer and toy maker, Jeremy "MAD" Madl. For almost a decade, he has worked nonstop on his own licensed artwork and toys, elevating "MAD Toy Design" to worldwide status. His first vinyl production figure, the MAD*L, is still one of the hottest brands on the global collector market, with sell-outs of each new release. His client base includes the NFL, Bruce Lee's estate, and Kidrobot, to name a few. This summer he launched his new SWATCH watch and toy figure with an international tour, capped off by the Times Square SWATCH store exterior wrapped in his design.
Who better to offer insights on how to build a brand, expand on a design, develop valuable relationships, and increase your exposure than Jeremy "MAD" Madl? Come and learn from the master as he discusses his creative process and project collaborations with some of today's hottest and biggest brands, and the experience of running a worldwide business in Kansas City.
A graduate of LA's Otis College of Art and Design, Jeremy Madl has been professionally illustrating and designing toys for over 13 years. Over his career he has worked with clients such as YUM Brands, Pepsi, Scion, Upper Deck, Mattel, Spin Master Toyrs, and Cartoon Network.
Saturday, March 3
1:00–1:30 p.m.
Meet Me at the Museum Drop-in Tour
Kemper Museum | Free, No Registration Required
Join a Kemper Museum docent for a lively discussion and tour of the Museum’s current exhibitions.
Saturday, March 10
1:00–1:30 p.m.
Meet Me at the Museum Drop-in Tour
Kemper Museum | Free, No Registration Required
Join a Kemper Museum docent for a lively discussion and tour of the Museum’s current exhibitions.
Sunday, March 11
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Ages 7–10
1:30–3:30 p.m., Ages 11–15
ArtReach: Companions
Kemper Museum | Free, Registration is Required
Local art educator Sara Barati will help students discover how artists inspire each other through an exploration of the works on view in Companion Pieces: Artist Groups from the Permanent Collection. Students will take inspiration from these works to create their own companion piece.
Saturday, March 17
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Scavenger Saturdays for Families
Kemper Museum | Free, No Registration Required
Hone your art detective skills and discover something new about contemporary art at the Kemper Museum. The third Saturday of each month is Scavenger Saturdays for families. Children with adults may pick up a self-guided activity at the Visitor Services Desk and follow the clues on this “ART-astic” adventure. When finished with the activity, children may pick up a take-home, art-making activity kit. No reservations are required.
Scavenger Saturdays at the Kemper Museum are made possible with generous support from the R.A. Long Foundation.
Saturday, March 17
1:00–1:30 p.m.
Meet Me at the Museum Drop-in Tour
Kemper Museum | Free, No Registration Required
Join a Kemper Museum docent for a lively discussion and tour of the Museum’s current exhibitions.
Saturday, March 24
1:00–1:30 p.m.
Meet Me at the Museum Drop-in Tour
Kemper Museum | Free, No Registration Required
Join a Kemper Museum docent for a lively discussion and tour of the Museum’s current exhibitions.
Saturday, March 24
2:00 p.m.
Artist Talk: Keith Jacobshagen
Kemper Museum | Meeting Room | Free
Keith Jacobshagen paints the world he knows—the landscapes of Nebraska that he has painted for decades. Hear him speak about his inspirations, his processes, and his works of art. Seating is first come, first served.
Saturday, March 31
1:00–1:30 p.m.
Meet Me at the Museum Drop-in Tour
Kemper Museum | Free, No Registration Required
Join a Kemper Museum docent for a lively discussion and tour of the Museum’s current exhibitions.
Saturday, April 7
10:00 a.m.–noon, Ages 7–10
1:00–3:00 p.m., Ages 11–15
ArtReach: Re-creating History
Kemper Museum | Free, Registration is Required
In this class, artist Jaimie Warren will discuss the impact specific works of art had on art history. Students will work together to create theatrical sets inspired by several of these works. Warren will then photograph each student as they pose inside their new work of art.
Saturday, April 7
1:00–1:30 p.m.
Meet Me at the Museum Drop-in Tour
Kemper Museum | Free, No Registration Required
Join a Kemper Museum docent for a lively discussion and tour of the Museum’s current exhibitions.
Saturday, April 14
1:00–1:30 p.m.
Meet Me at the Museum Drop-in Tour
Kemper Museum | Free, No Registration Required
Join a Kemper Museum docent for a lively discussion and tour of the Museum’s current exhibitions.
Sunday, April 15
noon–3:00 p.m.
Family Day: A Final Peek at the Big Reveal
Kemper Museum | Free
Join us on the last day of The Big Reveal for some family fun at the Museum. Take a bow at this last curtain call.
Saturday, April 21
1:00–1:30 p.m.
Meet Me at the Museum Drop-in Tour
Kemper Museum | Free, No Registration Required
Join a Kemper Museum docent for a lively discussion and tour of the Museum’s current exhibitions.
Sunday, April 22
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Ages 7–10
1:30–3:30 p.m., Ages 11–15
ArtReach: The Repurposed Object
Kemper Museum | Free, Registration is Required
To celebrate Earth Day, artist Cory Imig will lead a tour of the Museum grounds and talk about how nature influences contemporary art. Using recycled materials and found objects, students will construct an earth-friendly sculpture.
Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, Architect’s Handkerchief, 1999; polyester gel-coat and polyurethane clear-coat on fiber reinforced polymers, 149 in. x 144.5 in. x 89 inches; Collection of the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Bebe and Crosby Kemper Collection Museum Purchase, Enid and Crosby Kemper and William T. Kemper Acquisition Fund with additional funds provided by the Enid and Crosby Kemper Foundation 2006.17
Friday, April 27
noon–1:00 p.m.
The Language of Looking
Kemper at the Crossroads | Meeting Room | Free
Gather a small group of co-workers or friends for an intimate and informal lesson on looking at contemporary art through the lens of Fertman's enigmatic works. Museum Educator Amy Duke shares secrets for decoding, connecting with, and interpreting contemporary art. Space is limited; registration is required. Contact 816-457-6134 or reservations (at) kemperart (dot) org.
Saturday, April 28
1:00–1:30 p.m.
Meet Me at the Museum Drop-in Tour
Kemper Museum | Free, No Registration Required
Join a Kemper Museum docent for a lively discussion and tour of the Museum’s current exhibitions.
Saturday, May 12
1:00 p.m.
Second Saturday Tour
Experience a guided tour of several Crossroads Arts District establishments. May's tour begins at Kemper at the Crossroads where Chief Curator Barbara O'Brien discusses Fertman's work and practice. For more information visit www.kccrossorads.org.