By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
The Hays Arts Council's Fall Art Walk is scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, kicking off a flurry of activity this weekend in downtown Hays.
But while the annual event is sure to provide ample opportunities to explore and enjoy downtown, the anchor exhibition will showcase the works of Gordon Sherman in a retrospective of the well-known, award-winning artist who taught at Fort Hays State University for 23 years.
Last December, Sherman retired from FHSU and worked with Hays Arts Council Executive Director Brenda Meder on the exhibition until his death earlier this summer.
"We are really very proud and honored to be presenting this," Meder said. "It's a little bit bittersweet."
During his tenure at the university and beyond, his work was frequently recognized, she said.
"His work was exhibited nationally and internationally," Meder said. "If Gordon entered a show, it didn't matter if people knew who he was, or if it was in another country, he not only got in, he often got an award.
"There is just something unique about his work."
She said his pieces often challenge the audience to explore his pieces and his process, hence the show's name, "Mysterious Iconography."
"Gordon would use a lot of iconic images, or just icons," Meder said. "He wasn't always forthcoming about on it was, but at least you could have the conversation."
While Meder said Sherman worked with her on the exhibition until his death afterward his children stepped up and helped facilitate the show.
"We were expecting him to be part of this and being there," she said. "Fortunately, with the support of his two children who live — one in Texas, one in Oregon — and colleagues and friends, we are still able to carry this out."
While the exhibition will anchor the Fall Art Walk, it will also be available for viewing in the gallery until Oct. 8.
"If the art walk doesn't fit into your schedule, please come by and see that exhibition," Meder said.
While the core Art Walk will be in the regular hours and include many downtown businesses, Meder said there are several exhibitions outside of the core times for this event that allow participants to experience the full gamut of offerings that reach across Hays without sacrificing the downtown experience.
"When things are off of the beaten path a little bit, I encourage them to start with earlier hours, so people can go to those places before they settle into downtown," Meder said.
With exhibitions in downtown as well as around Hays, and with other community events scheduled for the weekend, she said it will be a good weekend for area residents to enjoy art as well as downtown Hays.
"We're really excited about it," Meder said. "We have a lot of amazing things lined up and just want to invite everyone out."
They also maintain a presence on social media, including Facebook.
