08/17/12 jgm

HAYS, Kan. -- "Belles: Celebrating Women of Remarkable Influence," an exhibition of works by Fort Hays State University's Linda Ganstrom, professor of art and design, from her recent sabbatical will open Friday, Aug. 24, in the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art, Rarick Hall, room 102.

The Fall Gallery Walk reception at Moss-Thorns will be from 7 to 9 p.m. and will include English tea and French desserts.

"I began my sabbatical studies hoping to expand my understanding of European influence on contemporary style by reading, research and language lessons," said Ganstrom. "A trip to London and Paris gave me a personal experience with European art, especially ceramics, allowing me to view works in the context of the culture that created them."

The exhibit has 13 life-size figurative sculptures inspired by European women of influence, three figures based on figures from India and America, European cuisine, movies and more.

"I wanted to understand how history lives and influences the present through a study of art history," said Ganstrom. "Art seems to be the thread that allows us to imagine the past, learn and prepare for a future, a thread that connects the past to the future. Long interested in the Butterfly Affect, I feel every decision matters, but some matter more. I learned more about how some lives have remarkable influence down through the ages and still influence how we feel about heritage, gender and our potential to achieve."

The Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art has also announced its exhibit schedule for the fall 2012 and spring 2013 semesters. Artists' receptions will be held in the Moss-Thorns Gallery.

Oct. 4 to Oct. 19: "Ghost Towns and Gold Mines," a David Jones exhibition sponsored by the Creative Art Society. Jones, art instructional technician at the University of Wyoming, is a visiting artist whose current work explores society's boom and bust cycles through wood, steel, cast iron, cast aluminum, paint and plastics. The reception is from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4.

Oct. 26 to Nov. 16: Bachelor of Fine Arts Studio Exhibition. The reception is from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26.

Dec. 7 to Dec. 21: Annual Faculty Art Exhibition. The Winter Gallery Walk reception is 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7.

Jan. 14 to Jan. 25: Brian White Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition. The closing reception is from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25.

Feb. 1 to Feb. 22: Interior Design American Society of Interior Designers Student Chapter Exhibition. The reception is from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1.

March 1 to March 22: Graphic Design Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition. The reception is from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 1.

April 5 to April 19: Annual Student Honors Exhibition. The reception is from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 5.

April 17: Annual High School Art Exhibition in Gross Memorial Coliseum is from 8 to 10 a.m.

April 26 to May 17: Michael Knutson Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition. The Spring Gallery Walk reception is from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, April 26.

May 24 to June 21: Shawna Wangseng Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition. The closing Summer Gallery Walkreception is 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, June 21.

June 17 to June 29: Isaac Sandoval Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition is sponsored by the Hays Arts Council. The Summer Gallery Walk reception is from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, June 21.

June 28 to July 12: Katrina Florell Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition. The reception is from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 28.

July 19 to Aug. 16: Ned Day Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition. The closing reception is 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16.

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