Save the dates! Oct. 25 and 26 is a full weekend + Other October Events!

Save the date!

October is going to be another month full of activities here at the Nerman Museum, including an extra special weekend with big events on Oct. 25 and 26.

You can learn more about all events, and RSVP for the events that require registration, on our calendar page.

Four silhouettes look around a blue landscape with lanterns in their hands as they search for something

Diedrick Brackens, shadows spell my name, 2024, cotton and acrylic yarn, 102 x 134 in. Collection Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, KS, Gift of Sue and Lewis Nerman, Leawood, KS.

Our major events this month include the Jerome Nerman Lecture Series, featuring Diedrick Brackens, on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 4-5 PM, at the Museum’s Hudson Auditorium, with a reception to follow.

Brackens will discuss his large-scale weavings that incorporate myth and storytelling to highlight Black and Queer histories and bodies. Brackens is best known for his tapestries that explore allegory and narrative through autobiography, along with broader themes in American history.

Brackens employs techniques from West African weaving, European tapestry-making, and quilting from the American South to create both abstract and figurative artworks. Often depicting moments of male tenderness, Brackens draws inspiration from African and African American literature, poetry and folklore.

Man and woman holding a boom box between them, standing in front of a large pink panther painting.

Jeremy Scott and Katherine Bernhardt. Photo: Wil Driscoll

On Sunday, Oct. 26, 2-5 PM, we’ll celebrate the end of A Match Made in Heaven: Katherine Bernhardt x Jeremy Scott with a Closing Countdown alongside the artists.

Teenagers looking at prints and using a printing press

Young Artists Retreat 2024. Photo: Susan McSpadden, JCCC Photographer

Earlier that same week, on Friday, Oct. 24, 8 AM-2 PM, we’ll also be hosting the 2025 Young Artists Retreat. While nominations for the in-person portion of the event is already closed, teachers and students can still register for the livestream option through October 22.

Living room setting with various people within it

The Salon for Possible Futures

Our Salon events continue, with:

  • Thursday, Oct. 2, 5:30-7 PM – Make Your Own (MYO) Pocket Charms with Amy Kligman
  • Friday, Oct. 17, 7-10 PM – Utopia/Dystopia Movie Night with Caitlin Horsmon
  • Saturday, Oct. 25, 2-3 PM – Book Swap & Share: Scare Stories
Young children participating in art activities

Students creating art projects in a Nerman Museum Youth Art Class

Lastly, our Youth Art Classes are back for the fall semester, with an all-new line up of topics and art projects. We’ll be kicking off the season with the following classes:

  • Thursday, Oct. 9, 4-7 PM – Street Fashion – Gr. 6-9
  • Saturday, Oct. 11, 2-4 PM – Accessories 3 Ways! – Gr. 3-5
  • Saturday, Oct. 18, 2-4 PM – Artful Fashion Design – Gr. K-2

A Match Made in Heaven!

Attendance is up, people are spreading the word about the exhibition and bringing their friends!  As we welcome more people to the museum, we are adding more resources and options for engagement.

Just this last 2 weeks we’ve hosted groups from local middle and high schools, homeschoolers, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, numerous JCCC classes and the JCCC student sustainability committee to name only the folks who attended guided tours (and in spite of the snow days!)

Middle school student fashion design, inspired by tour

We’re looking forward to announcing more activities and resources soon.

As was announced at the talk on Feb 6, there was a review in Vogue magazine here

And mark your calendar, if you are a fan of fashion and wish to support JCCC Fashion students, there is the annual student fashion show coming up Friday, April 18

 

We’re gearing up for a BIG exhibition!

It’s been a hive of activity at the museum since we re-opened Jan 2. There have been hundreds of pedestals being built, floating shelves installed, giant paintings hung, mannequins assembled and dressed, and so much more (including a wall being moved from inside the gallery to out in the lobby). It is impossible to express in words just how packed with creativity this show is going to be! On our exhibition page

Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the opening talk Feb 6th: Katherine Bernhardt x Jeremy Scott Artists Talk | Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art

Perhaps, like me, you hadn’t heard of Jeremy Scott or Katherine Bernhardt before. Here is a brief bio page for them both to get started:

1-pager JS+KB

A documentary about Jeremy: Jeremy Scott: The People’s Designer – Wikipedia Jeremy Scott and Katie Perry at MET Gala (NY Times)

About the chandelier dress: Katie Perry Chandelier Dress (Vogue)

A recap (with images) of some of the most exciting designs Jeremy made during his tenure at Moschino: Jeremy Scott’s designs 2013-2023 (Business Insider)

Katherine’s gallery:

Katherine Bernhardt at David Zwirner Gallery

An interesting article about her home: Katherine Bernhardt’s amazing home (T-magazine)

A video of her discussing her work and process: Katherine Bernhardt (Apartmento Magazine)

Interview with Katherine in St. Louis Magazine: Both written and audio interview

More info and images to come!