Lawrence painter showing in national exhibitions

Lawrence painter Susan Jordan is showing work this fall and winter in galleries across the country and just down the road.

“From the Towers,” a pastel inspired by the events of Sept. 11, 2001, will be in the Degas Pastel Society Ninth Biennial National Exhibition until Nov. 22 in New Orleans. Sally Strand, a nationally known pastel artists and author, served as juror for the show.

Jordan also has a painting in the New Mexico Pastel Society’s National Pastel Exhibition in Albuquerque, N.M. “A Brilliant Melancholy” will hang in the exhibit from Thursday through Nov. 24. Jurors for the exhibit were Bob Gerbracht, Sally Strand and Dinah Worman. Eric Michaels was the judge.

Jordan’s pastel “On the Way to Coyote” (above) was chosen by the Overland Park Arts Commission to be part of an invitational exhibit called “A Tribute to Art in the Woods.” The painting will be in the new convention center gallery through early January 2003.

Artist commissioned to paint King portrait

Lawrence artist Joe Ray Kelley has been commissioned by a Kansas City, Kan., bed and breakfast to paint a portrait of Martin Luther King Jr.

Karen Hernandez commissioned the work for Martin’s Dream Bed and Breakfast, 7910 Longwood, Kansas City, Kan., which she established to honor King. Hernandez considers the late civil rights leader a role model for his work in promoting diversity.

Kelley’s painting (above) will be located in the dining room.

Kelley paints in his home studio at 4717 Harvard Road. He belongs to the National Oil and Acrylic Painter’s Society, the Kansas City Artists Coalition, the Greater Kansas City Artists Assn. and the Portrait Society of America.

His work also can be seen at the Northland Exposure Gallery in Parkville, Mo., and on his Web site at www.joesfineart.com.

LHS graduate honored in photo competition

Gabe Hopkins, a 1995 Lawrence High School graduate, recently won a photography award from American Photo Magazine.

A photograph by Hopkins, son of Terry Hopkins of Lawrence and Jeannette Steele of Dallas, was chosen from more than 50,000 entries as one of 120 photos the magazine awarded and published in its November issue.

Hopkins’ photo of a rowing team was entered in the sports and adventure category.

Hopkins graduated from Brooks Institute of Photography in 1999. He lives and runs his photography business in Kansas City.

Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre returns to Kansas City

Kansas City, Mo. ” Legendary dancer and choreographer Judith Jamison will bring the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to Kansas City Thursday-Nov. 17 for its biannual residency.

All performances will be at the Music Hall, 13th and Central.

A highlight of this year’s residency will be the regional premiere of Lynn Taylor-Corbett’s “Prayers from the Edge.” The piece was created through the Women’s Choreography Initiative, established by Jamison to showcase the talents of female choreographers.

Jamison was appointed artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater after Ailey died in 1989.

Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Saturday; and 2 p.m. Sunday. In addition, youth performances are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday and Friday.

For more information, call Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey at (816) 471-6003.