photo by: Ryan Waggoner/Spencer Museum of Art

The exhibition “Debut” features more than 120 works of art from the Spencer Museum’s collection that have never been displayed.

Art lovers will have an opportunity, starting this week, to see works from the Spencer Museum of Art collection that have never been on display.

The museum at the University of Kansas is reopening Friday and will feature an exhibition titled “Debut” in its third-floor galleries with more than 120 works — some that have never been exhibited before and some that are familiar but that are frequently used for research and teaching.

Some works making their debut are from the Spencer Museum’s founding gift in 1917, according to a news release from the museum. The “Debut” exhibition was curated by Kris Ercums, who worked with museum interns to research objects that had no display history.

“‘Debut’ shares new research with our audiences that will benefit the museum for years to come,” Ercums said in the release.

To celebrate the opening of “Debut,” the museum will host “Open House/Open Grove” Oct. 21-22. A full schedule of activities is available on the museum’s website. This event will also celebrate the opening of “Understories,” an installation of creative work by KU and Haskell Indian Nations University students in Marvin Grove. All activities are free and open to the public, and free parking is available in lot 91 behind the museum during the event.

Gallery hours for “Debut” will be Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours on Thursdays until 8 p.m. Face masks are required inside all buildings on the KU campus regardless of vaccination status.

“Debut” is supported by Friends of the Art Museum, KU Student Senate and the Linda Inman Bailey Exhibitions Fund. “Open House/Open Grove” is presented by the Friends of the Art Museum in honor of longtime friend and board member Reggie Robinson, who died in 2020, for his legacy of public service and leadership.