Every year, Symphony in the Flint Hills hosts a juried Prairie Art Exhibition that showcases the work of artists who capture the beauty of the Flint Hills. This year, 52 pieces were selected from 132 entries. Jurors Kate Van Steenhuyse and Kristin Beal, co-founders of Harvester Arts in Wichita, selected Michael Duane’s pastel painting, Flint Hills – Storms Lined Up,as this year’s winning piece.
“To be able to fly over the Flint Hills from above gave me a fascinating new perspective and inspiration. In Flint Hills – Storms Lined Up, the hills flow like undulating waves into the horizon and distant storms,” said Duane.
“Harvester Arts is honored to serve as juror for the Prairie Art Exhibit and Auction of the 2019 Symphony in the Flint Hills Signature Event. We were impressed by the overwhelming quality of works submitted and took careful consideration in selecting a range of the works to identify the Flint Hills region. It is inspiring to see the beauty of the region reflected through the vision of the artists. Notably, we felt Michael Duane’s timeless work in pastel, Flint Hills – Storm Horizon embodied the aspiration and the spirit of The Flint Hills in its application and resolution. Both bold and mysterious, Flint Hills – Storm Horizon takes us back to the first people of the land while also encouraging us to reflect on the current day and continue to advocate for the protection of this land into the future,” said Kate Van Steenhuyse and Kristin Beal, Harvester Arts.
Flint Hills – Storms Lined Up is available as a limited edition commemorative print and can be purchased at the Symphony in the Flint Hills store in Cottonwood Falls, the online store and the Signature Event on June 15.
The 2019 Prairie Art Exhibit will be on display through June 9 at the Symphony in the Flint Hills Gallery — 331 Broadway in Cottonwood Falls — and sold by silent auction at the Signature Event on June 15 at Irma’s Pasture in Bazaar, KS. For more information, or to purchase tickets to the 2019 Symphony in the Flint Hills Signature Event, call 620-273-8955.