Shared Border | Shared Vision

Morning Gallery Talks and Demonstrations

The day’s events begin around 10am with gallery talks from two distinguished speakers: Cori Sherman North will present A Printed Prairie Century: The Prairie Print Makers, and Ron Michael will deliver Individualizing Nature: The Art and life of Birger Sandzén.

Later in the morning, Olathe, Kansas artist Doug Osa and his wife Ruthie will provide valuable insights for collectors through a live demonstration on the art of printmaking. This is sure to be an invaluable experience for print collectors, and others, seeking to gain a deeper understanding of this challenging medium and enhance their print technique identification skills.

Fine Art Valuations

All the while, attendees are invited to – by appointment – visit with Brady Dreasher, owner and founder of Art of Estates and receive an opinion of value on works of fine art, for a donation of $20 per print or painting. Brady’s associate Denice Morris will be available, and Charles Keller, principal of The Value of History will be on hand as well. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the morning’s various activities while waiting for their pre-arranged appointment.

An Important Auction of Important Art

After a 12:30 break for lunch at one of the many sidewalk cafes and open-air restaurants on the Country Club Plaza, the day will culminate with a 2:00 PM auction of outstanding paintings and pencil signed prints, each carrying impeccable provenance. Most are from the Sandzén Gallery’s holdings. The remainder is from an esteemed Kansas City collection.

Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975) inkwash on paper from The Moffett Collection.

The Shared Vision of James and Virginia Moffett

Originally Kansas in focus, this auction of paintings and prints by Birger Sandzén and the Prairie Print Makers has suddenly been doubled in its scope and impact by a generous donation of Regionalist works from the Missouri side of the line. The long-respected collectors James and Virginia Moffet of Kansas City, Missouri made arrangements, just before Jim’s passing in September, for over one hundred works from their distinguished collection to be included in this benefit auction. Through their enduring generosity, the selection up for bid to support the Gallery’s Building for the Future expansion initiative has grown to include several fine examples by Thomas Hart Benton and members of a movement we like to call the Kansas City School of American Art, along with works by beloved local figures such as Wilbur Niewald and Arthur Kraft, in addition to those by Sandzén and the Prairie Printmakers.

This unique event celebrating our common border and common vision will blend enlightenment with excitement for an unrivaled experience you won’t want to miss!