Belger Arts Center
Press Release

Rare Visions - Detour Art Curated by Mike Murphy & Kelly Ludwig March 6, 2009 - May 1, 2009.

Photo Gallery BELGER ARTS CENTER ANNOUNCES OUTSIDER ART EXHIBIT For immediate release – March 11, 2009 KANSAS CITY, MO – “Rare Visions – Detour Art,” a tribute to Outsider Art curated by two Kansas Citians with extensive knowledge in the field, continues through May 1. Curators Mike Murphy and Kelly Ludwig have chosen more than 150 pieces of art by over 60 artists to represent all regions of the United States. Among the artists are The Baltimore Glassman, Ab The Flagman, and Mr. Imagination. There are also five pieces by Howard Finster, a Georgia preacher who brought much attention to folk art in the 1980s through his collaborations with two rock bands, Talking Heads and R.E.M. Click Image for Detail Howard Finster Gabriel Trumpeting Angel, 1990 Acrylic on wood 50 in. x 12 in. From the collection of Kelly Ludwig Ms. Ludwig is the author of Detour Art: Outsider, Folk Art, and Visionary Environments Coast to Coast. This 160-page hardback book was recently published by Kansas City Star Books. Ms. Ludwig says her obsession with outsider art has roots in her family: “I grew up with an outsider artist of sorts, my mother. Like so many of these artists who are products of the Depression-era, mom was thrifty and resourceful, and resourcefulness inevitably spawns creativity – using common objects in uncommon ways.” Ms. Ludwig is a graphic designer and holds a BFA from the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Click Image for Detail Ronald Cooper Hell Bound, 2001 Wood, found object & paint 25 in. x 24 in. x 18 in. From the collection of Kelly Ludwig Mr. Murphy is co-host of “Rare Visions and Roadside Revelations,” a PBS television show that can be seen on stations across the country. The show is produced by KCPT of Kansas City. Mr. Murphy, with his co-host Randy Mason and “Don the Camera Guy,” has traveled to more than 40 states over the last twelve years and filmed hundreds of artists in their homes, studios, and workshops (sometimes all at once). Mr. Murphy once said he knew the show was taking a special place in the field of folk art when he found out her appearance on RVRR was mentioned in the obituary of one of his interviewees. Ms. Ludwig and Mr. Murphy are exhibiting work from their personal collections, plus borrowing works from artists and organizations such as The World’s Largest Collection of the World’s Smallest Versions of the World’s Largest Things. The Grassroots Art Center of Lucas, KS, is also lending pieces from their collection. Note: See "Belger Arts Center Statement" below and include with all Belger Arts Center Press Releases. Belger Arts Center Statement. The Belger Arts Center is located at 2100 Walnut Street (one block east of Main) in the Belger Cartage Service building. The gallery is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 am – 4 pm, Saturday from noon – 4 pm, non-holiday First Fridays from 10 am – 9 pm, and by appointment. The office for the Belger Arts Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 am – 4:30 pm. For more information please visit www.belgerartscenter.org or contact Gallery Assistant Mo Dickens at (816) 474-3250 or Email at mdickens@belgerartscenter.org.  Since March of 2000 the Belger Arts Center has hosted more than 35 exhibitions featuring a variety of media including fiber, ceramics, painting, sculpture, digital projections, and innovative design. More than 50,000 visitors have attended exhibits and other events at the Belger Arts Center. This exhibit was featured on NPR's (KCUR) Walt Bodine Show.   (Click here to listen to this show.)   3/26/2009 Folk Art Talk with “Rare Visions and Roadside Revelations” © “Rare Visions and Roadside Revelations,” is a popular, Kansas City-based television program featured on public television. The program has taken viewers across the country to see lesser-known art of lesser-known places, and to meet the people who create it. We’ll talk about memorable experiences and sites from the show’s travels. Plus, hear about an exhibit in Kansas City featuring the very rare visions that make up the show. GUESTS: Mike Murphy, Co-host of “Rare Visions and Roadside Revelations” on KCPT Mo Dickens, Gallery Assistant at the Belger Arts Center  Download      Listen    Send To A Friend To download this audio file, right click and select "Save Target As..."     Artists in Rare Visions – Detour Art               Minnie and Greg Adkins Leroy “Lee” Almon, Sr. Butch Anthony Linvel and Lillian Barker Gregory L. Blackstock Ree Brown Dennis Clark Jerry W. Coker Ronald E. and Jessie F. Cooper Paul “The Baltimore Glassman” Darmafall Mamie Deschillie Teresa Disney Herman Divers Russell Easterwood “Dr. Evermor” Tom Every S. Evets Rev. Howard Finster Homer Green Stanley Greer W.H. Harden Rev. Herman Hayes Jesse Howard Viola “L.V.” Hull Levent Isik Roger Lee Ivens James Harold Jennings Bill LaCivita Ralph Lanning Myron “M.T.” Liggett Inez Marshall Carl McKenzie Sam “The Dot Man” McMillan Reuben “R.A.” Miller   Sam Miriles Karl Mullen Virgil Myers Kathy Ruth Neal Erika Nelson J.L. Nipper John North Melissa Polhamus Stephen Powers Mary Proctor W.C. Rice Sulton Rogers Ed Root Matt Sesow Svein “Slim” Sirnes Dan Slaughter Robert E. Smith Bob Smithy Reuben Sorenson Glenn Stark QJ Stephenson Jimmy Lee Sudduth Alfred “Big Al” Taplet Annie Tolliver Mose Tolliver Unknown Joe Wackerman Hubert Walters Gregory Warmack John Woods Clarence and Grace Woolsey Purvis Young