Four Men and a Bison
Two weeks ago we were given the opportunity to give a presentation for Kaufman Museum’s Sunday-Afternoon-at-the-Museum. The presentation was titled, “Four Men and a Bison: The Creation of a Traveling Exhibit.” This presentation came just one week after we finished another exhibit for the Mid-America Arts Alliance and NEH on the Road, so it was nice to have some time to reflect upon the three exhibits we have designed for NEH on the Road before we gave the presentation.
We were extremely pleased by the turnout and the great questions asked during the Q&A time. One attendee asked us what the most difficult part of designing a traveling exhibit is. After giving this some thought, we concluded that one the most difficult parts of designing and building traveling exhibits is developing an exhibit system that can fill a large venue, but still work in a small venue without making the exhibit seem crowded. As we continue to build exhibits, we continue to find new ways to fill the space in a venue without overbuilding the exhibit.
Thanks to everyone who came out to our presentation, and to everyone who visited The Bison: American Icon during Fall Fest. And if you haven’t seen the exhibit yet, you still have time! Bison will be at Kaufman Museum on the Bethel College campus until October 24.
To learn more about The Bison: American Icon, visit the NEH on the Road website.
Lessons from the Road – AASLH Presentation
This weekend, we had the privilege to present some of our exhibit design philosophy at the American Association for State and Local History conference in Oklahoma City. The session, titled “Lessons from the Road,” was a small panel discussion very skillfully facilitated by Leslie Przybylek of the Mid-America Arts Alliance / Exhibits USA. Clay Lewis, NEH on the Road Program Administrator, Chuck Regier, Curator of Exhibits at Kauffman Museum, and Anne Morand, (ex) Curator at the C.M. Russell Museum made up the rest of the panel.
It was fascinating to hear perspectives from all levels of the exhibit development process, highlighting challenges faced along the way and innovative solutions to those challenges. It was also great to talk with people from the institutions who host the exhibits, and to brainstorm with them about possibilities for supplemental programming and promotion.
Thanks to those who attended. And for those who missed it, give us a call–we’d be glad to fill you in!
Update:
A few days ago we received feedback from our AASLH presentation. Everyone who rated our presentation gave us an overall rating of 10/10, and one person even said it was the best session they attended while they were there. Once again, thank you to everyone who came and visited us at the AASLH conference!
Abe Regier Joins Flint Hills Design
We’re proud to welcome Abe Regier to Flint Hills Design!
After graduating from Bethel College (KS) with degrees in chemistry and education, Abe spent a year doing Mennonite Voluntary Service in Tuscon, Arizona. Abe’s work with a home construction and repair project gave him a chance to sharpen both his carpentry and project management skills, and a chance to contemplate future direction. His work ethic a fun-loving outlook on life will be a great fit for Flint Hills Design.
Abe will be in charge of a new collaborative project between Flint Hills Design and Kauffman Museum, focusing on creating products for the museum market. He will also play a major role in helping to develop a 2,000 sq. ft. traveling exhibit sponsored by the Mid-America Arts Alliance and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
