The L. E. "Gus" and Eva Shafer Memorial Art Gallery has been referred to as the "Gem of the Campus" at Barton Community College. The Shafer Gallery demonstrates the perseverance of a dream and a strong commitment to culture and arts. Visit the Shafer Art Gallery's webpage for exhibit information and more!
Barton Community College Foundation Permanent Fine Art Collection
The roots of Barton Community College’s esteemed Permanent Art Collection trace back to 1981, when Mrs. Faerie Denman of Great Bend generously donated an extraordinary 507-piece collection that she and her husband, Cedric, had meticulously acquired over the years. Valued at more than $200,000, this remarkable gift necessitated proper preservation and a vision for sharing its artistic richness with the community.
Today, the collection has grown to over 1,000 works, including 28 of Shafer’s iconic bronzes and more than 100 pieces by Great Bend native Charles B. Rogers. It also boasts masterpieces by some of the most influential artists in history, such as Chagall, Matisse, Picasso, Dali, and Audubon, alongside works by many other distinguished creators.
Guided by a strategic Acquisition Vision, the Barton Community College Foundation continues to expand the collection, with a dedicated focus on works by Kansas educators and select acquisitions that enhance the legacy of Shafer bronzes. Encompassing a diverse range of mediums, styles, and artistic movements, the Permanent Art Collection stands as a cultural treasure—one that celebrates artistic excellence while fostering inspiration, education, and engagement within the community.
Shafer Art Gallery History
Internationally renowned sculptor Gus Shafer, a Hoisington, Kansas native, left a lasting artistic legacy that helped shape the vision for Barton Community College’s Shafer Gallery. In 1984, following a donation from Art, Inc., the Barton Foundation launched a campaign to fund a dedicated art space. Thanks to a major commitment from Mrs. Eva Shafer, ground was broken on September 22, 1991, and the gallery opened on November 1, 1992.
Spanning 7,709 square feet, the gallery’s flexible hexagonal design accommodates a variety of exhibits. Featuring a glass-enclosed lobby and a dedicated sculpture area showcasing Shafer’s work, it also meets museum-quality standards, allowing it to host prestigious traveling exhibitions from the Smithsonian Institution, Exhibits USA, and others.
Each year, the gallery attracts thousands of visitors, solidifying its role as a premier cultural destination and a hub for artistic appreciation and education.