Former KU professor shows art at alma mater

Roger Shimomura, distinguished professor emeritus of art at Kansas University, is showing a solo exhibition of his work at the Lowe Art Gallery at Syracuse University until Nov. 21.

The show, “Three Suites from Inside the Barbed Wire,” features many of Shimomura’s works in paint, ink and etching that explore sociopolitical issues of Asian-Americans, inspired by 56 years of diaries kept by his late grandmother, who was sent to a Japanese internment camp during World War II.

Shimomura graduated in 1969 with a Master of Fine Arts in painting from Syracuse University. In addition to his exhibition, Shimomura also served on a panel titled “Respecting Humanity at Home and Abroad,” a discussion held in conjunction with the inauguration of Chancellor and Syracuse President Nancy Cantor on Nov. 5.

Collage artist opens studio to public

Lawrence artist Barbara Solberg will open the doors of her home studio to the public next weekend.

Mixed media collages and pastel landscapes by Solberg, as well as photography by Tom Schmiedeler, will be on view during the Creative Hand Studio Open House, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 20-21.

Solberg’s studio is at 2504 Westdale Road.

KU Ceramic Club to have sale in gallery

The Kansas University Ceramic Club will have its annual sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday in the KU Art and Design Gallery.

The annual event, which often draws holiday shoppers, will include work in ceramics, printmaking and metals. A portion of sales of ceramic pieces will fund scholarships in the ceramics program and go toward bringing ceramic visiting artists to the university.

The Art and Design Gallery is on the third floor of the Art and Design Building, at the northeast corner of 15th Street and Naismith Drive.

For more information, call 864-4401.

Performance to feature international students

Kansas University students, faculty and scholars from countries including Ukraine, Nigeria, Russia and Hong Kong will perform “Stories, Songs and Skits From Not So Far Away” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Oread Books in the Kansas Union.

Children especially are invited to hear fairy tales, watch dances and learn about other cultures.

Sponsored by the Office of International Programs, this event is part of International Education Week. For more information, contact Alison Watkins, Office of International Programs, at 864-6161.

Free State High School to stage comedy

Free State High School will stage the 1930s Kaufman and Hart comedy “You Can’t Take It With You” Thursday through Saturday.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $4 for the public and $3 for students and seniors.

Tickets are available by calling 832-6050 or at the door. Free State is at 4700 Overland Drive.

Theater company announces auditions

Leavenworth Players Group, a professional theater company that’s based in Leavenworth but performs in Lawrence, Kansas City, Topeka and Emporia, will have its next round of auditions at 11 a.m. Nov. 27 in Marvin Auditorium at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave., Topeka.

Auditioners should arrive before 11 a.m. to hear remarks by director Gregory Marino. Auditions are for “A Saint Valentine’s Day Murder Mystery or Rubout at Uncle Vinny’s,” a fully interactive murder mystery comedy.

Bring headshots and resumes, if you have them. Auditions will consist of cold readings; no monologues will be needed.

For more information, call Marino at (913) 758-0805 or (913) 682-2598.