UMKC’s campus is rich in art and history. Some artworks are commonly overlooked, and although students might walk past them daily, they never stop to view the amazing art. Here are three art pieces on campus that are commonly overlooked.
1. “Don Quixote” mural on the second floor of Haag Hall. The mural, painted in the early 1940s, depicts four scenes from the famous novel Don Quixote. The novel was written in the early 1600s. It follows a fictional low-level royal who reads too many romance novels and goes insane, changing his name to Don Quixote and adventuring across the country. A story full of illusion and insanity can be hard to depict. The artist Luis Quintanilla used the folk art painting style to convey the insane and whimsical nature of the story. Quintanilla dedicated the mural to his friend in the Spanish army Julian Zugazagoitia, whose grandson of the same name is the current director of the Nelson Atkins Museum. On floor two of Haag Hall, “Don Quixote” immerses the viewer in an age-old story. If you look at the mural long enough, you might feel like you are going crazy too.
2. “Rivers, Rails and Trails” steel mural on the Miller Nichols Library and Learning Center. The nearly 50-foot-wide map outside the library looks strange and mysterious during the day, but it changes completely when the sun goes down. Thousands of tiny holes in the steel allow the LED lights to shine through, lighting up the map and showing the flow of people in the city. This adds an element of movement to the piece. This artwork is a must-see on campus after nightfall.
(Catie Walker)
3. “Blue Steel” in the quad outside of Flarsheim Hall. The structure is made from steel beams and showcases the different connections in the steel. The American Institute of Steel Construction designed it. The piece was originally created to serve a purpose, to educate viewers on steel framing. As an artwork, the sculpture is both intricate and simple. It looks different from every angle, making each viewing experience unique.
(Catie Walker)
4. “UMKC Roo” is located right in the heart of campus between the Miller-Nichols Library and the Swinney Center. The bronze cast statue of Kasey the Kangaroo was created by artist Tom Corbin. Bronze was chosen because of its durability and ability to last for centuries. This piece is the newest on the list, being commissioned in 2018 and completed in 2021. The statue is dedicated to the UMKC students and our Chancellor and was gifted by the Student Government Association. The statue is surrounded by a small garden fitted with lights that shine up from below at night.
UMKC’s campus is a treasure trove of often overlooked art, each piece offering a unique story and experience. Although these pieces are often overlooked, they enrich campus life. Take a moment to pause and appreciate the rich artistic heritage of these hidden gems.
