The L. E. "Gus" and Eva Shafer Memorial Art Gallery has been referred to as the "Gem of the Campus" at Barton County Community College. The Shafer Gallery demonstrates the perseverance of a dream and a strong commitment to culture and arts. The late Gus Shafer grew up near Hoisington, Kansas and gained international prominence for his bronze sculptures. After a monetary donation from Art, Inc. in 1984, the BCCC Foundation began seeking major gifts for the building of an art gallery on campus. Mrs. Eva Shafer made an outright commitment and ground was broken on September 22, 1991. The grand opening was held November 1, 1992. Approximately 7,000 visitors view the various exhibits each year.

The 7,709 square feet of exhibit space, based on repeating hexagons, can change configurations to accommodate many different sizes and types of exhibits. The gallery features a glass-enclosed lobby and a sculpture area featuring Shafer's work . The gallery allows extensive display of BCCC's permanent art collection and provides the necessary temperature, lighting and security requirements to qualify for exhibits from the Smithsonian Institution; Exhibits USA; Mid-America Arts Alliance; Smith-Kramer, Inc.; Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center and KRATES. Each year, the gallery attracts thousands of visitors from the local area and the Midwest, as well as those from across the country and abroad.

The Gallery’s roots date back to 1981, when Mrs. Faerie Denman of Great Bend donated the extensive 507-piece art collection that she and her husband Cedric, had aquired over the years. The collection, valued at more than $200,000, demanded proper storage and the means by which Barton could share the artwork with the community. Now numbering more than 700 pieces, the Permanent Art Collection includes 23 of Shafer’s bronzes and more than 100 works by Great Bend native Charles B. Rogers. The collection also contains masterpieces by such artistic giants as Chagall, Matisse, Picasso, Audubon, as well as many others.

Group tours by appointment
Admission is free

The Gallery observes all College related holidays

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