By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

“Come rain or shine, wind or hail, Friday evening’s Hays Arts Council Spring Art Walk will go on!”

HAC Executive Director Brenda Meder has her fingers crossed.  The National Weather Service in Dodge City is forecasting an 80 percent chance of thunderstorms Friday night.

“If the weather cooperates, it will be an amazing night,” Meder promises. “There are 31 individual sites featuring a diverse array of visual art and music. K-12 art work, BFA and MFA exhibitions, professional area artists, interactive projects and live music.”

The opening reception for Kansas’ oldest state-wide juried art competition, the Smoky Hill Art Exhibition will be hosted at the Hays Arts Center. “The competition really attracted a broad audience this year, so we have a wonderful body of work from artists across the state – in addition to the great pieces from in our own area,” said Meder.

Juror Mark Hartman selected 72 of the 262 submitted entries for the exhibition. “First, selections were made from photographs submitted by the artists. Then I visited the Hays Arts Center and reviewed the work first-hand to confirm the decisions and to determine the recipients of the cash awards and Juror’s Merit recognition,” said Hartman.

“I try to recognize pieces that I perceive to be significant achievements. This may be in technique or innovation, in concept or meaning. Practical constraints are always looming, however, and inevitably, one may omit work that deserves recognition,” he lamented.

“I’m hopeful that the exhibition will connect viewers with something significant in thought or inspiration, emotion or spirit.”

Hartman is an artist and faculty member at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He maintains a practice in freelance design, produces artwork in a variety of media, and is currently featured in a solo exhibition of paintings and installations at MONA–the Museum of Nebraska Art.

Many of the art walk venues are in downtown Hays; others are located throughout the town. Some art displays will open early and some will open again Saturday.

The complete list is below.

2016 Hays Arts Council Spring Art Walk ~ Friday, April 29 – 6:30-9:30pm

Hays Arts Center, 112 E. 11th
47th Annual Smoky Hill Art Exhibition

Hays Public Library, 1205 Main
K-12 Spring Student Showcase (Children & Young Adult Departments)
“The Mindful Drawing Project: No Judgement” FHSU students, faculty, staff under Professor Amy Schmierbach

Couture for Men & Women, 1109 Main
Downtown Grain Elevator Mural Design Preview by Dennis Schiel
Artwork Inspired Apparel

Tri-Central Office Supply, 1101 Main
“Carnival of Metal” by Lance Wadlow & Nicole Thibodeau
Prairie Garden Club Youth Environmental Poster Display (window display)

Hays Community Theatre, 116 E. 11th
“H&H Heartfelt Creations” by Holly and Heidi Rupp
“D.K. Finding the beauty in a decaying world of education” Angie Pahls & TMP-Marian students

Platinum Group, 116 E. 11th
“Document Your Days” Documentary Portraiture by Rebekah Baier
“Temporum” paintings by Madyson Suskey, Karissa Gonzalez-Othon, Candace Staab, and Cadie Long

Madd Matter Frame Shop & Gallery, 112 E. 11th
“Local Flavor”

Downtown Hays Development Corp., 109 E. 11th
“Life in Portrait: Photography by Christophe Cheroret”

Bella Luna, 1013 Main
Sculpture by Omer Knoll

Simply Charmed, 1011 Main
St. Justa Pottery Guild

Art Walk Gallery, 1012 Main
“Express Love Over Violence” a Jana’s Campaign Project

Hays Arts Center Annex, 1010 Main
Jared Tadlock BFA Exhibition
“Merging Perspectives” by Hannah Werth, Jared Tadlock, and Kaitlyn Lammers
Paintings & Photographs by Bruce Burkholder

Art in the Alley, Main between 10th & 11th
“Patterned Paradox” by Schyler Edgren, Carson Kaiser, Melissa Williams

Salon 1007, 1007 Main
“Ceramic Infusion” by Linda Ganstrom & FHSU Advanced Ceramics Students
Buckner Creek Boys featuring Mike Benisch

Art Walk Gallery, 1008 Main
“Pinnacle Past” by Julia Kent, Hannah Lindo, Valeria Terrazza
FHSU Student Exhibition

The Furniture Look, 1000 Main
Live Creatively Studio: Zentangle Art by Kari Haas & Photography by Raymond Haas

Union Pacific Park, 10th & Main
Open Community Acoustic Jam Session (all welcome to sit in & play or just listen!)

Diamond R Jewelry, 807 Main
Photograhy Exhibition by Kirstan Hanson
Sculpture & Paintings by Carson Norton

Turquoise Ranch, 719 Main
A collection of works by Sierra Gwin

Artists @ Work Studio, 717 Main
Works by Karissa Gonzalez-Othon

Breathe Coffee House, 703 Main
“Tall Tales and Small Scales” Illustration Exhibit by Emily Hendricks, Yi Min, and Amy Smarsh

Ellis County Historical Society, 100 W. 7th
“Art & Artifacts” from the ECHS Collections

Moss Thorns Gallery, FHSU Rarick Hall
Kathryn Jones MFA Ceramics Thesis Exhibition

2016 Spring Art Walk ~ Early or Extended Hours ~ Friday, April 29

Sternberg Museum, 3000 Sternberg Dr. – 4:00-6:00pm
“Exquisite Miniatures: Miniature Paintings by Wes and Rachelle Siegrist”

James Motor Company, 108 E. 13th – 5:00-8:00pm
“Art and the Automobile” paintings by Larry Zvalonek

Catholic Charities, 122 E. 12th – 5:00-8:00pm
“Mistaken Identity” and Photography by Jeanne Riedel

L&M, 113 W. 11th – 5:00-9:00pm
“Reflecting Tranquility” Ceramics by Herrick H. Smith

Sweet Zoo, 115 W. 8th – 5:00-8:00pm
Photography Exhibition by Paige Thompson
Photo Shoot Fundraiser by FHSU Public Relations Student Society of America

Northwest Signs & Awards, 131 W. 8th – 6:00-9:00pm
“FeBrAl Castings” Cast Sculpture Exhibition, FHSU Students and Faculty

Thirsty’s Grill & Pub, 2704 Vine – 5:00-10:00pm
“Forceful Substance” Paintings by Tristian Lindo

2016 Spring Art Walk Continues ~ Saturday, April 30

The following locations welcome visitors to the extended Spring Art Walk during these designated times on Saturday:

Hays Arts Center, 112 E. 11th 10am ~ 2pm
Chestnut Street Kitchens, 1310 Main 10am ~ 4pm
James Motor Company, 108 E. 13th 9am ~ 3pm
Hays Public Library, 1205 Main 9am ~ 5pm
Tri-Central Office Supply (windows) 10am ~ 5pm
L&M, 113 W. 11th 1pm ~ 5pm
Madd Matter, 112 E. 11th 10am ~ 5pm
Hays Arts Center Annex, 1010 Main 11am ~ 2pm
Art Walk Gallery, 1008 Main 10am ~ Noon
Art in the Alley, Main between 10th & 11th 10am ~ 5pm
Diamond R Jewelry, 807 Main 10am ~ 5pm
Turquoise Ranch, 719 Main 10am – 4pm
Salon 1007, 1007 Main 9am ~ 1pm
Breathe Coffee House, 703 Main 10am ~ Noon
Ellis County Historical Society, 100 W. 7th 9am ~ 6pm
Moss Thorns Gallery, FHSU 10am ~ Noon
Thirsty’s Grill & Pub, 2704 Vine 11am ~ 10pm

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays High School has received 15 nominations from the Music Theatre of Wichita 2016 Jester Awards for “Once on This Island.”

The nominations are:

• Overall Production
• Direction of Show (Johnny Matlock & Jenni Rajewski)
• Leading Actress (Maddie Crees, junior)
• Supporting Actor (Jared Thom, senior)
• Pre-High School Performer (Grace Weaver, 6th grade)
• Chorus
• Orchestra (Johnny Matlock)
• Vocal Music Direction (Johnny Matlock)
• Choreography/Staging (Tawnita Augustine)
• Stage Crew
• Scenic Design (Jenni Rajewski)
• Costumes (Nikki Nasel)
• Lighting (Jeremy Wann)
• Sound (Jeremy Wann)
• Lobby Display (Paul & Cheryl Adams, Kathy & Scott Lee, Lizzie Lee, Ginny Prickett, Shayla Randle, and Kelly Klausmeyer)

TMP Marian was nominated in Small Ensemble for Von Trapp Children in The Sound of Music. Russell High School was nominated for the Chorus and Orchestra in Pippin and Direction of Show by Michael Davidson.

The judging team reviewed the scores given to 40 productions entered for consideration by 36 schools (122 performances) throughout Kansas during the 2015-16 season.

The 15th Annual Jester Awards Ceremony will take place at the Orpheum Theater on Friday, May 13. The red carpet begins at 6 p.m., with the ceremony starting at 7 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

Submitted

Animal agriculture information plus free hamburgers and hot dogs will be featured during the annual Fort Hays State University Agriculture Department’s Beef Day Thursday, April 28.

The event is free to the public from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the FHSU Quad.

Beef Production students will host informational displays and face off with their favorite recipes using hamburger. Attendees will get to sample the foods and vote for their favorite. Other booths will feature brisket and other beef dishes.

The Collegiate Farm Bureau will present the Ag In Motion trailer. Other exhibitions include water sheds, water quality demonstrations and the FHSU farm.

District Administrator of the Kansas Farm Bureau, Dr. Paige Pratt, will speak to the crowd during the event. Pratt is co-owner of Johnson farms, LLC, in Dwight, Kansas, with lifelong involvement in farming, stocker cattle and commercial and seedstock cow/calf operations.

Beef Day is sponsored by the Kansas Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture.

For more information contact Dr. Brittany Howell, FHSU Associate Professor of Agriculture, at (785) 628-4015 or [email protected].

While the eastern half of the state faced down serious storms Tuesday night, the western portion of the state received a bit of much-needed moisture.

In Hays, the K-State Ag Research Center reported just less than a half inch of rain, although most reports from the county showed between trace and a 0.10 inches.

Rooks County had a healthy rain, with reports of 0.66 and 0.71 inches, while Phillips County saw a report of just more than an inch.

Northeast Trego County saw a report of 0.35 inches, while a report from southeast Russell County totaled 0.41 inches in the gauge.

Farther west, Thomas County reports ranged from 0.73 to 1 inch.

Areas in the eastern part of the state received nearly 5 inches of rain during Tuesday’s front.

There was a slight chance of additional rainfall Wednesday, with skies clearing after 10 a.m.

Click HERE for the complete extended forecast.

The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and 15 traffic stops Tuesday, April 26, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Found/Lost Property–800 block Elm St, Hays; 3/27 8 PM
Criminal Threat–1000 block Reservation Rd, Hays; 3/14
Animal At Large–1700 block Marjorie Dr, Hays; 8:42 AM
Animal At Large–400 block E 13th St, Hays; 9:41 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–700 block Park St, Hays; 9:44 AM
Animal At Large–Main St and Main St Terr, Hays; 9:48 AM
Assist – Other (not MV)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 1:55 PM
Sex Offense–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:58 PM
Disturbance – Noise–2900 block Hillcrest Dr, Hays; 3:17 PM
Disorderly Conduct–400 block W 5th St, Hays; 3:28 PM; 4:27 PM
Driving While Suspended/Revoked–1300 block MacArthur, Hays; 4:36 PM; 5:36 PM
Found/Lost Property–1600 block Allen St, Hays; 5:51 PM
Suspicious Activity–100 block W 4th St, Hays; 7:02 PM
Theft (general)–300 block W 15th St, Hays; 4/23 9 PM; 4/26 12:30 AM

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

Two Fort Hays State University students who accompanied Fernando Insaurralde Cantero, 21, Paraguay, through the women’s section of a dorm building testified on the second day of a jury trial that began Monday.

Testimony from both men painted a picture of a suspect that had little respect for his fellow female classmates as he traveled floor-to-floor looking for “girls.”

Cantero pled not guilty on charges of suspicion of rape, aggravated criminal sodomy and aggravated burglary on Dec. 10.

Brandon Mitchell, 21, Wichita, was the first of two students who said he accompanied Cantero during the early morning of Sept. 20, 2015, to testify as a witness in the state’s case against Cantero.

Mitchell, who lived near Cantero in the dorms at the time of the incident, said he first saw Cantero around 1 a.m. in the dorm lobby, although he testified he had been drinking on the night of the incident and does not remember the night well.

While he testified he knew Cantero, he said he would only call him an acquaintance and was closer with another student who also testified in court Tuesday — Joseph Herrington, 19, Minneola.

Herrington testified that around 2 a.m. he met Cantero and Mitchell on the floor of their dorm room and decided to look for others students still awake.

Then the three men traveled floor by floor through the women’s section of the dorm building, ultimately stopping on the floor of the alleged victim.

When asked by Crystalyn Oswald, Assistant Ellis County Attorney, if they were looking specifically for women, Mitchell said, “I’m sure that was probably part of the idea.”

After arriving on the alleged victim’s floor, Mitchell said he did not go into the hallway, instead, he watched from the end of the hall as Cantero and Herrington went room-to-room looking for people to “hang out.”

During his testimony Herrington, who said he was friends with Cantero, said Cantero was opening doors to female dorm rooms if they were not locked, sometimes without knocking.

The pair visited the room of the alleged victim twice but initially moved on after Cantero found her asleep on top of her bedding, fully dressed. Herrington said he did not see the alleged victim during this first visit.

But he would soon get another chance, according to testimony

As the pair continued checking doors throughout the floor, Cantero opened another door on the floor finding two women awake.

Herrington said he knew one of the women and that she seemed surprised by the visit, so he reassured her that they were only looking for people to hang out with. The pair then left after being told by the women they were going to bed.

Both men then made their way back to the room of the alleged victim.

Cantero once again opened the door, according to Herrington, and after taking a drink from a water bottle filled with vodka in the room, approached the alleged victim, whispered something in her ear, then they began “pretty passionately kissing.” Testimony from FHSU Police Department Officer Joshua Fleenor yesterday indicated Cantero did not know the alleged victim.

He then said he thought Cantero closed the door soon after.

Herrington said he never entered the room and did not have a clear view of the girl, as Cantero was in front of him. He did, however, testify he could see she was fully clothed at that time and agreed that in an earlier police report he might have said he thought she was passed out from drinking. Mitchell also testified Herrington did not enter the room.

Mitchell said Herrington then approached him at the end of the hallway and told him they were kissing and should go. The two men then testified they went downstairs.

The trial is set to resume at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.