Upcoming Special Exhibits

2025-2026 Special Exhibit Schedule

January 28 – May 23

Art of the Wish

“If you had a wish for the world, what would it be?”

In 2017, artists Marn Jensen and Andy Newcom spent six months travelling around the country asking adults, ages 80-100, this one question. The diverse backgrounds of senior community members, hospice care residents, and caregivers offered a wide range of beliefs and life experiences. Each response became an inspiration for an original artwork paired with a brief narrative that captures the story behind the wish.

“Art of the Wish” includes photography, sculpture, textiles, encaustic pieces, mixed media, and paintings. Jensen and Newcom hope the exhibit inspires visitors to start simple, meaningful conversations with older adults.

“Art of the Wish” is a program of ExhibitsUSA, a national division of Mid-America Arts Alliance in Kansas City.

The cost of this exhibit is included in the regular museum admission at no extra cost.

June 9 – August 8

Brushes in the Heartland

“Brushes in the Heartland”, by Charla Enns and Jena Kodesh, celebrates rural life through expressive brushstrokes and vivid imagery, paying tribute to Oklahoma’s captivating landscapes. Enns and Kodesh bring the state’s fields, wildflowers, trees and shifting skies to life, capturing the spirit of each season.

Both artists were raised in Oklahoma and are married to farmers, which has allowed them to develop a deep appreciation for the land and all it provides. They crafted their works using earthy materials such as pine needles, lamb’s wool, charcoal from burnt wood, natural pigments, water and handmade pulp paper, grounding each piece in the textures and colors of the land itself.

The cost of this exhibit is included with regular museum admission.

September 3 – October 30

Sorting Out Race

“Sorting Out Race” was created with the intention to spark healthy conversation around the use of racial imagery and stereotypes in objects of the past, such as advertisements, home goods, and sports that are often found in antique and thrift stores today. The exhibit asks the questions, “Should stores still sell these items or should they be sorted out and discarded?”

Between 2010 and 2015, the Kauffman Museum sought out objects that reflect controversial subject matter through the use of specific imagery, themes, and stereotypes. At the time of their creation, they may have been seen as quirky and fun and often became sought-after collectibles. Today, they serve as a reminder of not-so-distant unfortunate negative attitudes towards race, stereotypes, and economic backgrounds. They are also used to remind viewers of the continuing struggles with race.

“Sorting Out Race” examines how racial identity is shaped, what creates stereotypes and how does race affect them, and how to reclaim stereotypes in order to move forward.

The cost of this exhibit is included in the regular museum admission at no extra cost.