Grandma Layton said
she was attempting to draw an "equal" picture, but as you can
see, the Joke is on the King, he thinks he's ruling, but the Queen is
down there with the Jack... Grandma had quite the sense of humor!
Picture from private collection.
The National Governors
Association (NGA) honored eight individuals, including Kansas native Don
Lambert, for contributions to public life during its 99th Annual Meeting
in Traverse City, Michigan on July 21st. Annually, the NGA presents three
awards to state officials, three to private citizens and two for distinguished
service to the arts. This year, the Distinguished Service to the Arts’
Artistic Support Award went to Lambert, a Kansas writer, curator and advocate
of the arts. “We are recognizing these individuals for the dedication each
honoree has demonstrated to improving their states and the nation,” said
NGA Chair Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano. “On behalf of the nation’s
governors, I would like to express our gratitude for their meaningful contributions
to state government.” “Don’s service to the arts in Kansas is legendary.
He has helped many Kansans appreciate the beauty that surrounds us and has
opened the eyes of the world to the work of talented artists from our state,”
said Governor Kathleen Sebelius.
The Lambert family is deeply rooted in Kansas, with early ancestors settling
in Cloud County over a century ago. Don Lambert has shared his appreciation
and pride for the state by bringing recognition to more than 400 Kansas
artists in more than 500 locations around the country. Recently, Lambert
organized an exhibit in Manhattan of 127 Kansas Artists to benefit the Kansas
Park Trust. Lambert has published four books; written dozens of articles
for national magazines; discovered and helped to promote artist Elizabeth
‘Grandma’ Layton, who has become a national symbol of creativity and a beacon
of hope for those suffering from depression. Lambert also led a revival
of Kansas-born artist John Steuart Curry, whose mural of John Brown is one
of the highlights of the Kansas Statehouse. As a result of Lambert’s efforts,
Curry’s wife, Kathleen, bequeathed 950 of her husband’s works to Kansas.
One of Lambert’s exhibits, “Homage to the Flint Hills” featured 37 paintings
and photographs of the Flint Hills. This exhibit toured Kansas for two years
and was featured in the nation’s Capitol. A copy of the tour’s accompanying
book was given to each of the nation’s governors by Governor Sebelius at
the award ceremony. Lambert is also responsible for arranging continuous
exhibits of Kansas master artists in the governor’s office. He’s a graduate
of Cloud County Community College, Kansas State University and the University
of Kansas.
Established in 1976, the NGA Awards for Distinguished Service to State Government
allow governors to bring national recognition to their states’ most valuable
civil servants and private citizens. The awards emphasize the commitment
of state administrators and the important contributions private citizens
make to their state. The awards program is administered by a selection committee
comprised of three permanent representatives from the academic community,
as well as designees chosen by the NGA chair and vice chair. The NGA Awards
for Distinguished Service to the Arts, established in 1980, are given in
two areas: artistic production and arts support. This award recognizes outstanding
service to the arts, focusing on contributions that improve the quality
of life and bring distinction to a state.
UPCOMING EVENTS
For more information go to www.lawrenceartcenter.com
Previous Events:
Elizabeth Layton Center (Renaming
of the Franklin County Mental Health Center, Ottawa, Kansas)
Hello, My name is Rebbecca
Zolgmann and I teach third grade in Conway Springs, KS. Every year in the
month of January my students must pick and research a famous Kansas person.
They present what they find to our class and then on or around Kansas Day
they represent this person in our Living Museum. They must dress as the person,
some bring props to help explain who they are, and they must tell all our
visitors who they are and what makes them famous. This year, one of my students
chose Elizabeth Layton, or Grandma Layton when I was talking to some other
people about the list on the board. This is the first time in the eight years
of the museum that she has been chosen. My job for this project is to provide
informational resources for the student to use to research. I came across
your page in my quest for information. If you could provide any additional
information about her life not on your page I would forward that to my student.
I am excited to learn more about Elizabeth’s life, like I mentioned before
she is new to me too.
Thank you,
Rebbecca Zoglmann
3rd grade, Kyle Trueblood Elementary, Conway Springs, KS
Dear Friends,
One of Grandma Layton's good friends, Betty Dawson, called Carolyn Layton
to let her know that she has contributed a box of cards and letters Grandma
had written her through the years to the Nelson Museum (Art Gallery?). They
are in the archives. Anyone interested in seeing those can call Holly Wright,
the archivist, at 816-751-1354. They will set up a time for you to see them.
The Central Plains
Area Agency of Aging and Sedgwick County Department on Aging is thrilled to
include an Elizabeth Layton exhibit in their Senior Expo this year.
The exhibit is provided to all senior expo attendees (over 3,000 people attend
annually) free of charge.
The Senior Expo is scheduled for September 24th 2009, 9am-3pm
in Wichita, KS at the following locations - Botanica, The Wichita Gardens,
Old Cowtown Museum, Exploration Place, and the Wichita Art Museum. Admission
to all four locations for adults 55+ and caregivers is free on the day of
the event. The location of the Layton Exhibit has not been finalized at this
time. We will post further details as they become available., or you can visit
our website at www.cpaaa.org.
There are several of original "Grandma Layton" drawings for sale, you can find them on the From The Family page.
Elizabeth
Layton
One
art class changed her life.
Her art touched many other's lives.
Elizabeth Layton's AIDS drawing, "Remembering NAMES" is on exhibit at the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City through April 4, 2010. The drawing is a gift to the museum from Don Lambert. "I chose that drawing to give to the Nelson because of its Kansas City connection," Don explained. "In the drawing, Elizabeth stitches a line in the AIDS quilt which is from a poem by former Kansas City poet David Ray. The line is "They are all our children now." The meaning here is that both David and Elizabeth lost a child, they understood what every parent experiences at the death of a child. The loss is the same, regardless of the circumstances." "When I looked at the drawing at the Nelson, I saw something I'd overlooked," he continued. "Elizabeth has drawn the AIDS quilt covering the globe. And her newspaper was the Wellsville Globe. The connection I'd somehow missed is that these national issues such as AIDS, discrimination, poverty, prejudice, etc. affect all of us, regardless of where we live. Elizabeth understood this." The Nelson owns another Layton drawing, "Skipping Down Christo's Walkway" which it has shown on at least two occasions.