Sculpture vandalized in downtown Lawrence

Someone apparently thought “Falling Stars” should fall over the weekend.

The outdoor sculpture, right, at Ninth and Massachusetts streets, part of the Lawrence Arts Commission’s annual exhibition, was vandalized overnight Saturday when someone bent the stainless-steel art from its upright position. One of the welding points on the piece was broken.

“Vandalism of art is a mindless, senseless thing,” said the sculptor, Tom Newport of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. “The fact they’re damaging pieces that an artist has put his time and effort and love and passion into is just bad.”

The piece — which has a price tag of $4,500 — was removed for repairs Monday afternoon by Lawrence Parks and Recreation crews.

“Falling Stars” is one of eight works included in the 16th annual exhibition, which went on display in May.

Kansas University

SenEx to discuss basketball ticket plan

Kansas University’s Senate Executive Committee is expected to discuss plans today for allocating next year’s supply of men’s basketball season tickets to faculty and staff. The meeting begins at 3 p.m. in the Regents Room within the chancellor’s office complex on the second floor of Strong Hall.

Last week, committee members endorsed a KU athletic department plan to set aside an additional 219 season tickets for faculty and staff and to move more than 900 faculty and staff out of third-tier seating and into second-tier seating.

Under the proposal, the number of faculty and staff seats would increase from 1,427 to 1,646.

Today’s discussion will address the processes for distributing next year’s tickets. The meeting is open to the public, though seating is limited.

Media awards

J-W editor honored

Mindie Paget, the Journal-World’s arts editor, has been honored by the Kansas City Association of Black Journalists.

At the group’s 12th annual media awards ceremony this weekend, Paget received the award for best feature in a daily newspaper with less than 100,000 daily circulation. The winning story, “Expressions of Spirit,” profiled two black artists and examined the way black artists have been received in the American art world.

According to the association, the awards recognize “outstanding enterprise coverage of African-Americans and other people of color in Greater Kansas City.”

Politics

Higher ed advocates to rally for more funding

Students, university officials and a state legislator will be among those calling for increased higher education funding during a rally tonight at the Dole Institute of Politics.

The rally, organized by Kansas University’s Student Senate, will include a panel discussion by Janet Murguia, executive vice chancellor for university relations; David Shulenburger, provost and executive vice chancellor; and Rep. Paul Davis, D-Lawrence.

It begins at 7 p.m. and is open to the public.