Pictured in Aspen, Colorado. This sculpture will move to the Rita Blitt Gallery & Sculpture Garden in 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, currently under construction, will connect Blitt’s art to the University’s White Concert Hall, creating a very meaningful link between the performing and visual arts on campus. The Gallery will open November 3, 2017.
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
Installed at Washburn University by alums in October 2015.
This piece is in the series of work inspired by the birth of Dorianna Blitt.
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.
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.
Rita Blitt's sculptures, many monumental in scale, can be viewed in public spaces from California to New York, and throughout the world.
Collaboration with Dr. Michael Udow, composer, percussionist and professor of percussion
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.
Collaborations with David Parsons, choreographer and founder of Parsons Dancing Company
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.
This is one of the paintings from the inspired period following the birth of Dorianna Blitt.
This sculpture graces the lawn of the Performing Art Center at University of Missouri Kansas City.
This interview took place in 2000 between David Knaus, curator and former museum director, and Rita Blitt.
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.
