The Mulvane Art Museum in Topeka, Kansas, held an opening reception for three new exhibitions on Friday evening. The shows include 'Journey to the West: A Survey of Hong Chun Zhang’s Art,' featuring three decades of work by Lawrence-based artist Hong Chun Zhang (through October 10); 'ICONIC: Sports Photography by Walter Iooss Jr.,' a collection of sports photography on view until November 21; and '71%: Picturing Waterways,' which highlights the beauty and importance of global waterways (through October 24). The museum, located on the Washburn University campus, offers free admission.
These exhibitions matter because they bring diverse artistic perspectives—from contemporary Chinese-born American art to iconic sports imagery and environmental themes—to a regional audience at a free public university museum. By showcasing both a solo survey and thematic group shows, the Mulvane Art Museum reinforces its role as a cultural hub in northeast Kansas, making visual art accessible to the community without financial barriers.