Invention, whimsy, and imagination by 121 Kansas and 19 national artists commemorate 25 years of the Grassroots Art Center

The Grassroots Art Center in Lucas is celebrating its 25th anniversary with the exhibition Flying Free: 25 Years of Grassroots Art. Unique and original works of self-taught, outsider art by 121 Kansas artists and 19 artists from around the country will be on display through Oct. 31, 2021.

Grassroots art highlights inventiveness and the use of non-traditional materials. Works on view include a papier mache circus, limestone carvings, kinetic sculpture, drawings and paintings, fiber arts, and art made from repurposed, recycled, and natural materials. Selected by founding Art Center executive director Rosslyn Schultz, the exhibition is appropriate for visitors of all ages and galleries are handicapped accessible. Original gifts are available in the Art Center shop.

Great Bend and Sylvia are the destinations on July 24 to tour Bob Mix’s whimsical machines and creatures at his home in Great Bend and at the local zoo. A short drive away to rural Sylvia, property owner Michael Murphy will open Don Brownlee’s 1912 farmhouse with decorated interior surrounded by a stone and metal sculpture garden. Lunch at Prairie Oaks Inn on the property is included and the fee is $30 per person.

LUCAS, KS – To celebrate 25 years of exhibiting grassroots art by Kansans, the Grassroots Art Center in Lucas offers three exclusive field trips to artist environments in June, July, and September.

In conjunction with the 25th anniversary exhibition Flying Free: 25 Years of Grassroots Art, on display through Oct. 31, the field trips are a rare opportunity to meet with artists and caretakers of yards, homes, and gardens filled with sculptures of all kinds. Grassroots Art Center founding director Rosslyn Schultz will introduce each artist and site. All tours begin at 10 a.m. Carpooling is available and details for each trip will be sent to those who register.

To sign up for the tours, click “Shop” at www.grassrootsart.net.