Looking through the flames in the fireplace at Rita Blitt Sculpture Garden is a peaceful way to ease into the fall season (this is a photograph of flames, not a Blitt sculpture).
Photo by Connie Gibbons, director of Mulvane Museum.
Public Art Dedication – “Inspiration” Sculpture
The Art in Public Places Initiative of the Leawood Arts Council is proud to announce the dedication of a new sculpture by local artist, Rita Blitt on Friday, September 10th, 2021. This piece is the 24th three-dimensional work in Leawood’s outdoor Public Art Collection. “Inspiration” is an abstract dancing figure that is installed at the southeast corner of Tomahawk Creek Parkway and College Boulevard. The piece was created by Blitt in 1987.
“Inspiration” stands 28’ X 26’ X 1.5’ and weighs approximately 4,000 pounds, making it one of Blitt’s largest pieces. The figure is made of steel and painted Blitt’s favorite color, yellow. The piece was offered as a gift to the City from Leawood residents William and Mary Walker. “Inspiration” was formerly installed at Bannister Road and Hillcrest in Kansas City, Missouri in front of what was originally Hillcrest Bank. In 2005, a five-foot version of “Inspiration” AKA “Sensuously Stacked Steel” won an award at the Florence Biennale.
Blitt’s pieces celebrate nature, natural forms, music, and dance. Translated from single line drawings, her sculptures exceed the expectations for modern sculpture. Blitt’s work can be seen in many museums and private collections, including: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, John F. Kennedy Library, and the National Museum of Singapore.
Rita Blitt is a long time Leawood resident. She studied at the University of Illinois, The University of Missouri – Kansas City, and the Kansas City Art Institute. She was awarded an Honorary Doctoral degree in Fine Arts by Washburn University in 2019.
“Inspiration”, 26 feet, steel, located at the corner of Tomahawk Creek Parkway and College Blvd., Leawood, Kansas
Photo Credit: Bill McDevitt
Kindness Poster
Now more than ever, the world needs more kindness. When a health care worker asked Rita for a copy of the Kindness poster this year during the height of the global COVID pandemic, she wanted to make it more widely available to the public. Download and save this poster to spread the best kind of contagion in these difficult times - kindness. ❤
Click here to learn more about the Kindness Program.
"THE SUN STILL SHINES" SHORT FILM COMING SOON
This film expresses hope in the face of the global pandemic and environmental devastation.
Art With Optimism
Recent Article: Hadassah Magazine (November/December 2020 issue). read
Recent and Coming Events in 2020
Recent Installations:
San Francisco Jewish Center for Senior Living, Sculpture and painting collection
Sculpture at Central Methodist University, Fayette, MO
Community College and Tech Center, Kansas City, KS, painting collection
Juvenile Justice Center, Kanas City, KS, wall sculptures and paintings
Rockhurst University, Kansas City, MO, painting collection
Recent Article/Interview:
The Pitch KC (read)
Rita Blitt: Around and Round Book Launch
The Mulvane Art Museum's recent publication Rita Blitt: Around and Round is now available for purchase here. The book commemorates the donation of the Rita Blitt Legacy Collection and Archive to the Mulvane Art Museum at Washburn University.
Rita Blitt: Around and Round
Rita Blitt: Around and Round, by Mulvane Museum
Books to fill your pre-orders from Trapublishing.com are on the way.
Leigh Saffold, project editor, views an early copy.
