Kansas Murals: A Traveler’s Guide
by Lora Jost and Dave Loewenstein
Foreword by Saralyn Reece Hardy
Published by the University Press of Kansas
2006
During the summer of 2001, I attended a small conference called Surface Art (meaning murals) at the Bemis Center in Omaha. During the closing of the conference, a frustrated muralist lamented how there was no source to find out about regional murals - where they were, who made them, their meanings and histories. If only we had a guidebook, she said… I raised my hand. I could look into that, I thought. Getting back home, I realized the project would be immense if it was done right. Who knew how many murals there were in the region let alone Kansas? I needed help.
I was questioning my resolve at a downtown coffeeshop, when Lora Jost walked in. Lora, also a muralist, had been at the conference as well, and so I took a gamble. I pitched my vague idea – document as many murals in Kansas as possible and then make a book. To my surprise and relief, she enthusiastically agreed to the adventure.
Off we went, for nearly five years researching, photographing and writing. (We also had to find a publisher). Along the way we met hundreds of artists and citizen historians, passionate about their home towns and the murals that told their stories. It was an incredible journey and education. I am grateful to Lora, photographer Edward Robison III, Saralyn Reece Hardy and the folks at the University Press of Kansas who took a chance with us first time authors. Here’s where you can get your own copy.
(click on image to advance to next page)