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RITA BLITT

  • Art
    • Collections
    • Monumental Art
    • Rita Blitt Gallery
    • Collaborations
    • Studios
    • Films
    • Books
  • About
    • Biography
    • Resume
    • Kindness Program
    • Bibliography
  • News
  • Contact

Seeking Truth

Pictured in Aspen, Colorado. This sculpture will move to the Rita Blitt Gallery & Sculpture Garden in 2017.

Rita Blitt Gallery and Sculpture Garden at Mulvane Art Museum

The grand opening of the Rita Blitt Gallery & Sculpture Garden was at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017.

Washburn University has invited world-renowned, award-winning artist Rita Blitt to gift her legacy collection and archive to the University’s Mulvane Art Museum. The Rita Blitt Gallery and Sculpture Garden connects Blitt’s art to the University’s White Concert Hall, creating a very meaningful link between the performing and visual arts on campus. 

Blitt’s many works on paper, canvas, sculpture and films will rotate in exhibitions at the Gallery. Connie Gibbons, director of Mulvane Art Museum, says Blitt’s legacy collection and archive will create a unique educational experience, offering the University a chance to distinguish itself from other regional art museums and collections.

It is the vision of the Mulvane Art Museum for students, faculty, and guest curators to create exhibitions, performances, compositions and interpretive programs that utilize the Rita Blitt collection and archives in ways that allow for exploration of music, dance, art and life through her work.

See highlights from the Rita Blitt Gallery

Confluence of Love and Learning

Installed at Washburn University by alums in October 2015.

Hope

This piece is in the series of work inspired by the birth of Dorianna Blitt.

Blitt Studios

Rita Blitt has studios in San Francisco and Kansas City.

See work from San Francisco studio.

See work from Kansas City studio.

Bronze sculptures can be purchased on a made-to-order basis at either studio.

Yellow Ball Sculpture

Inner Music

Inspiration

This sculpture won an award in National Sculpture Competition 1987. It became 26-feet in 1987 in front of the Hillcrest Bank in Kansas City, Missouri.

In 2000, a 9-foot steel version "Inspiration" was installed in front of the Woman's Center at Brandies University.

In 2005, a 5-foot version won an award in the Florence Biennale and is now in a private collection.

Art in Public Spaces

Rita Blitt's sculptures, many monumental in scale, can be viewed in public spaces from California to New York, and throughout the world.

View Monumental Art

Inspired by Music

Collaboration with Dr. Michael Udow, composer, percussionist and professor of percussion

Connie Swinging

Serenity

My World

One of the pastels in Blitt's oval series of the early 80s, which is now in the collection of the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art. 

Inspired by Dance

Collaborations with David Parsons, choreographer and founder of Parsons Dancing Company

Irwin and I

Bach Suite (B)

In 1995, Blitt began painting on large canvas after many years devoted to sculpture and works on paper. It also marks a brief return to using oil paint instead of acrylic. Bach Suite B is now in a private collection.

Freedom

This is one of the paintings from the inspired period following the birth of Dorianna Blitt.

Inspired by Poetry

Collaborations with Li Po, Chinese romantic poet.

See more collaborations.

Dancing

This sculpture graces the lawn of the Performing Art Center at University of Missouri Kansas City.

Interview With Rita

This interview took place in 2000 between David Knaus, curator and former museum director, and Rita Blitt.

Celebrating Dorianna

Films

Caught in Paint captures Rita Blitt painting on 4 by 8-foot transparent surfaces while David Parsons and members of the Parsons Dance Company are seen in mid-air imitating the dancing lines of Blitt's paint strokes. Lois Greenfield, who collaborated in this union of paint, dance and photography, made still photographs as she, too, was being filmed.

See more Films

Seeking Truth

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Rita Blitt Gallery and Sculpture Garden at Mulvane Art Museum

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Confluence of Love and Learning

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confluence-of-love-and-learning.png

Hope

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9. Hope, 1996.0174, acrylic-oil on canvas, 72 x 60 inches.jpg

Blitt Studios

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Yellow Ball Sculpture

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yellowball-outdoor-sculpture.jpg

Inner Music

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innermusic-painting.png

Inspiration

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2. Inspiration, 1987.0002, painted steel, 26x18x1.5 inches.jpg

Art in Public Spaces

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Art-in-Public-Spaces.png

Inspired by Music

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rita-images_inspired-by-music.png

Connie Swinging

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4. Connie Swinging 1965.0001, acrylic on canvas, 24x30 inches.jpg

Serenity

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12. Serenity, 1998.0053, acrylic on canvas, 50x60 in..jpg

My World

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5. My World, 1982.0003, pastel on paper, 22x30, collection of the Nerman Museum.jpg

Inspired by Dance

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Inspired-by-Dance.png

Irwin and I

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3. Irwin and I, 1962.0002, acrylic on canvas, 42x12 inches.jpg

Bach Suite (B)

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8. Bach Suite (B), 1995.0287, Oil on canvas, 52x60 inches.jpg

Freedom

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11. Freedom, 1998.0055, oil-acrylic on canvas, 44 x 46 inches.jpg

Inspired by Poetry

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Inspired-by-Poetry.png

Dancing

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1. Dancing, 1980.0001, painted steel, 26x10x5 feet, UMKC, Performing Art Center, 4949  Cherry, KCMO.jpg

Interview With Rita

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Celebrating Dorianna

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10. Celebrating Dorianna, 1996.0172, acrylic and oli on canvas, 70x118 in..jpg

Films

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