Three paintings by former Emporia State professor Rex Hall are being auctioned to support the Rex and Ann Hall Family Art Scholarship at the ESU Foundation. The auction began May 29 and closes June 19.
Hall, who taught at Emporia State University from 1960 to 1985 and chaired the art department, was a prolific artist and worked in different media including painting, printmaking, collage and sculpture. His best-known works were landscape inspired, and the color pallet was emotional and sometimes moody, capturing the contrasting elements of a Kansas storm or evening light on a slow-moving creek.
He created images using acrylics, oils and mixed-media on his canvases. The three paintings being auctioned — Soden’s Bridge, Winterscene and Blue Abstract — are acrylics on canvas.
Hall’s styles ranged from abstract to representational and subject matter often was a specific location he wanted to capture. His work was featured in many art shows around the United States. In 1970, he was appointed to the Kansas Cultural Arts Commission, and in 1984, he was named Kansas Governor's Artist. When Hall died in 2004, his family endeavored to honor him by sharing his work and benefiting education, creating the Rex and Ann Hall Family Art Scholarship Fund for art education students at ESU.
Bids for the paintings can be mailed or delivered to the Emporia State University Foundation at 1500 Highland, Emporia, KS 66801. The paintings are available to view at this location during business hours Monday through Friday through June 19.
Winning bidders will be announced at 3 p.m. June 21 at the Sauder Alumni Center, 1500 Highland St., Emporia. For additional information, contact Alan Klug, aklug1@emporia.eduor 620-341-6472.
