How it all got Started! Chinese Lantern Sculputure to be dedicated!

On Tuesday, June 15th, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. the Dedication Ceremonies for the sculpture titled "Lantern Light" by celebrated sculptor Ye Yushan, which was given to the City of Topeka by the Peoples Republic of China takes place on the Washburn University campus. The public is invited to attend, and we suggest you do all in your power to attend this historic event for our city!

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You may be interested in knowing how Topeka was chosen to receive this wonderful gift; so let me give you a little background. It was part luck, part artist/gallery relationship, and part hard work by a committee of people and city officials. It started with a casual conversation between Kansas City artist Kwan Wu and Gary Blitsch, owner of Topeka’s SouthWind Gallery.

Kwan and Gary first became friends several years ago when SouthWind represented his work Kwan is an internationally-known sculptor and painter. SouthWind was happy to act as the exclusive U.S. representative of this exceptionally talented artist. Kwan’s work has been shown at SouthWind in several one-man exhibits as well as group shows. Gary also has managed a number of sculpture commissions for Kwan in Topeka, including a bronze bust of Washburn University president, Jerry Farley, and a large outdoor sculpture (pictured below left) for CoreFirst Bank and Trust (at the bank’s 37th and Wanamaker branch.)

Okay, so here’s the story behind the story-making Topeka-Chinese sculpture connection: Somewhile ago Gary and Kwan were discussing the monumental work that Kwan was commissioned to do for the Chinese government, when Kwan mentioned the U.S.- Chinese Friendship Sculpture Exchange program, three sculptures created in the United states were being sent to China and the three sculptures from Chinese artists were being given to the U.S. The Exchange program was undertaken to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Friendship and Trade pact completed during the Carter Administration. we should mention here that Kwan was born and educated in China, but became an American citizen in the 1980s.

During their conversation, Kwan told Gary that sculptures were being given to Washington D.C, New York City, and San Francisco. Gary suggested that he thought Topeka would also be a good candidate also since Kwan was a Kansas artist and Topeka being the Capital city whose work is represented by a Topeka gallery, and there that he has publicly displayed art here.

A few days later, fate stepped in when for unknown reasons San Francisco didn’t complete the paperwork needed to receive the gift of the Chinese sculpture. Kwan was in China at the time working with the U.S. – Chinese Friendship Sculpture Exchange committee, and said he knew of a U.S. city that wanted the sculpture. With Kwan’s recommendation, the Chinese government agreed to give Topeka a shot at getting the sculpture. Kwan emailed Gary and explained the situation. Gary was a bit shocked about the turn of events, but excited and confident that Topeka could do what was needed to be chosen as the recipient of this fabulous piece of art. Gary went to work contacting city officials and putting together a topnotch committee that could handle the myriad details involved in obtaining the necessary approvals, paperwork and funding for transporting and installing the sculpture. The rest, as they say, is history.

The committee members are: Co-chairs Gary Blitsch and John Fager, Core First Bank & Trust; April Chaing, Kansas Dept. of Commerce; Cheryl Logan, Downtown Topeka Inc.; C J Wei, Kansas City Chinese American Association; Garry Cushinberry, Core First Bank & Trust; C.T. (Fred )Hsia, Retired; Greg Inkman, Washburn University, Campus Beautification Committee; Gary Jones, Jake Huyett, Alissa Sheley, and Tracey Stratton, Jones Huyett Partners; Jim Ogle, WIBW TV; Olivia Simmons and Tamra Scheid, Visit Topeka Inc.; Kathy Smith, ARTSConnect; Curtis Sneden, Collective Brands Inc.; Glenda Taylor, Baili Zhang, Dena Anson, Rugena Hall and Kraig Stahl, Washburn University; Larry Wolgast, City of Topeka; Mike Morse, KS Commercial Real Estate Services; and Scott Gales, Architect One.

The full funding for the sculpture and transportation was provided in the gift from the Chinese government. Funds needed for installation of the sculpture, landscaping and for the Dedication events was provided by grants Collective Brands, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. and Core First Bank & Trust.

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Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. SouthWindArtGallery.com

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