Kansas Triennial 25/26

August 5, 2025–May 31, 2026

The Kansas Triennial marks an exciting new chapter for the Beach Museum of Art. As a recurring exhibition series focused on contemporary artists working within the state, the Triennial is both a celebration and an inquiry: into what it means to make art in Kansas today, and how those expressions resonate far beyond state lines.

The inaugural exhibition in fall 2025 brings together work by Mona Cliff, Mark Cowardin, Poppy DeltaDawn, and Ann Resnick. These artists reflect a wide range of materials, disciplines, and lived experiences. Their work will be installed throughout the Pelton and Hyle galleries.

“This exhibition is about listening closely to the artists working in Kansas right now,” says museum director and triennial curator, Kent Michael Smith. “There’s no imposed theme—just a commitment to trust artists, to honor their urgency and insight, and to recognize them as tellers of truth in a time and place where that can feel scarce.”

Each artist brings a distinct voice. Cliff, based in Lawrence, merges traditional Indigenous beadwork with contemporary abstraction in vibrant wall hangings rooted in heritage and ecological awareness. Cowardin, also of Lawrence, navigates themes of consumption, sacredness, and interconnected systems, often incorporating functional elements like ladders and lighting to evoke both utility and metaphor. Poppy DeltaDawn’s conceptual textile works use digital weaving and layering to examine bodily autonomy and identity with visual and emotional precision. Wichita artist Ann Resnick offers deeply personal works rendered through pyrography and monoprinting—gestures of mourning, memory, and quiet persistence.

As a triennial event, this exhibition series will grow over time. It offers an evolving platform for discovering and reflecting on the most vital artistic voices in Kansas. We look forward to welcoming audiences into this ongoing conversation, one that we hope fosters connection, dialogue, and deeper engagement with the art of our time.

Major Sponsors: Friends of the Beach Museum of Art, Greater Manhattan Community Foundation's Lincoln & Dorothy Deihl Community Grants Program
Sustaining Sponsors: Mike & Dee Michaelis
Contributing Sponsors: Dick and Gloria Anderson
Media Sponsor: KANSAS! Magazine

Related events
Beach Museum of Art
Free and open to all

Fall 2025 Exhibition Opening Reception
Thurs., Sept 11, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
All Triennial artists will be present as special guests.

Artist Talk: Mark Cowardin
Thurs., October 9, 2025, 5 p.m.

Artist Talk: Poppy DeltaDawn
Thurs., March 12, 2026, 5:30 p.m.

Artist Talk: Mona Cliff
Thurs., April 2, 2026, 5:30 p.m.