The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at Johnson County Community College celebrates 30 years of art on campus alongside guests of honor Bruce Hartman, Leo Villareal, and Kyu Sung Woo at the WILD LIFE! celebration and fundraiser on Sep. 9, starting at 6 p.m.
With two primary goals in mind – restoring Leo Villareal’s architectural light sculpture, Microcosm, and supporting Museum education, this event aims to recognize former Executive Director and Chief Curator Bruce Hartman’s career with an exciting art auction and launch of the Museum’s highly anticipated publication, Celebrating 30 Years of Art on Campus, alongside people that are key to its history.
“I am so honored to welcome our special guests for Wild Life: Kyu Sung Woo, the architect who designed the Nerman Museum; Leo Villareal, the most important light sculptor of his generation; and, of course, the fabulous founding Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Nerman Museum: our very own Bruce Hartman!” says JoAnne Northrup, the current Executive Director and Chief Curator, who took the helm in 2021, after Hartman’s retirement. Honorary Chairpersons Lena Price and Thomas M. Cohen will also be in attendance that evening.
What can attendees expect on the evening of Sep. 9? Northrup explains: “Our guests will have an opportunity at our live auction to bid for artworks by highly coveted leading contemporary artists that are in great demand among collectors—and their moderate scale makes them extremely desirable: Julie Buffalohead, Ebony G. Patterson, Lauren Quin, Paul Anthony Smith, Leo Villareal, and Summer Wheat.” Participants will also enjoy an untamed party with gourmet hors d’oeuvres, music, wild attire, and the opening of the New Chapter exhibition – a glimpse into the Museum’s future.
Learn more about WILD LIFE!
Auction • Wild Attire • Gourmet Hors d’oeuvres
Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at Johnson County Community College
Sep. 9, 2023
6-7 p.m. – VIP Pre-party | 7 p.m. – Doors Open
VIP Tickets: $150 | General Admission Ticket: $75
Purchase tickets at nermanmuseum.org/WildLife2023
This fundraiser is made possible by generous contributions from our sponsors:
Barton P. and Mary D. Cohen Charitable Trust • Dick and Gloria Anderson • Hamilton G. and Marti B. Oppenheimer • J.E. Dunn • J. Scott Francis, The Francis Family Foundation • Ed Fried • Lisa Ruben, Reece Nichols • Bradley W. and Linda J. Nicholson Foundation Fund
Image credit: Alberto Bautista Gómez, Jaguar, 1970-1980, Clay, 16.5 x 27 x 13″, Collection Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, Kansas. Photo: EG Schempf
ABOUT THE NERMAN MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at Johnson County Community College (JCCC) serves as a cultural leader, facilitating deeper understanding of our world and contemporary issues through their exhibitions and permanent collection. The collection focuses on international, national, and regional contemporary artists, with an emphasis on diverse practitioners and educational access. In addition to gallery spaces within the Nerman Museum, over 300 works from the collection are installed across campus, integrating art into the daily lives of the JCCC campus community as well as greater Kansas City area residents and visitors.
The Nerman Museum is located on the JCCC campus at 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS. It is open to the public on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Sundays, from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information about the museum, call 913-469-3000 or visit nermanmuseum.org.
