Lenexa Rec Center creates artful ‘Splash’
San Francisco artist Shan Shan Sheng is installing a 65-foot-long abstract sculpture suspended from a ceiling at the Lenexa Rec Center.
The sculpture, named “Splash,” comprises 31 colorful pieces of cold-cast glass panels and is meant to capture the experience of entering water. The artwork will be down the hall from the indoor pool, and visitors will be able to experience it from two levels of the Rec Center.
In a news release, Sheng said “Splash” will activate the entrance of the Rec Center, creating a threshold of color, space and light. She said she hopes the sculpture will instill visitors with a sense of joy and wonderment.
“Splash” is the second piece of public art for the city’s new civic campus in Lenexa City Center near 87th Street Parkway and Renner Road. The other is “Body Politic” by Joe O’Connell.
City spokeswoman said some of the funding for the $98,000 sculpture came from the civic campus building project. The rest came from Lenexa’s annual allocation for arts.
Millions being raised for arboretum upgrade
With nearly $9.3 million in hand, a non-profit organization is asking the public for help in raising the rest of the $12.4 million needed for a new Visitors Center and other improvements in and around the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, on 179th Street just west of U.S. 69.
Also to be funded are additional parking, outdoor gathering areas, new gardens and an outdoor amphitheater, as well as a sculpture park at the adjoining Kemper Farm.
The Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park is spearheading the “Growing to Inspire” campaign.
The city said the proposed Visitor Center will allow the current Environmental Education Visitor Center to function as initially designed — as a learning laboratory for field trips and classes for school children. The Garden Café, the gift shop and meeting spaces would move to the new building.
“We have been met with excitement and generosity as we have talked with community members over two years,” said Vicki Lilly, foundation executive director of the foundation.
Donations already approach $5.8 million, and the rest of the $9.3 million is coming from the city and “friends” group serving the arboretum and Overland Park arts.
“This is an opportunity for members of our community to leave a lasting legacy that will be enjoyed by generations to come,” said Jim Holland, board president of the Arts & Recreation Foundation.
Donations of any size are being accepted. Depending on the gift amount, certain amenities can be named for a family, individual, foundation or business. Visit give.arfop.org or contact Lilly at campaign@artsandrec-op.org or 913-322-6467.
Mikkelson handily wins Prairie Village mayoral race
Prairie Village voters have overwhelmingly chosen former City Council member Eric Mikkelson to be their next mayor. He will succeed Laura Wassmer, who chose not to run again.
Unofficial final returns showed Mikkelson with 64.4 percent of the vote. He earned 8,193 votes compared to 3,776 for Serena Schermoly.
According to his campaign website, Mikkelson graduated from Stanford University before earning a law degree from the University of Kansas. He served on the Economic Advisory Board of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and was a Metro Ambassador for the United Way.
Mikkelson was elected to the Prairie Village Council in 2014 and served until early 2018. Schermoly currently serves on the council. Her term expires in January 2020.
County seeks feedback on new park
The Johnson County Park and Recreation District is developing concepts for the new Camp Branch Park southwest of 175th Street and Mission Road in the southwestern part of the county.
Officials are asking the public to provide feedback on the ideas at an open house from from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Stilwell United Methodist Church, 19335 Metcalf Ave. No formal presentation will be given, but citizens will be able to review detailed improvement concepts and trail options.
The land, currently undeveloped, consists mostly of hay fields, rock outcroppings and oak/hickory forest.
Kids’ books on sale at library
Thousands of gently-used children’s books will be on sale Nov. 15-17 at the Johnson County Central Resource Library, 9875 W 87th St. in Overland Park.
Most items will be priced from 50 cents to $2 at the Big Fall Kids Book Sale, organized by the Friends of Johnson County Library. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 16 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 17.
SM students will cook Thanksgiving food for you
Culinary students in the Shawnee Mission School District are accepting orders for Thanksgiving pies, pastries and side dishes in their 10th annual “Everything But the Turkey Fundraiser.”
The order deadline is noon Nov. 19, and customers can pick up the food from 2 to 6 p.m. Nov. 20 and 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 21 at the Broadmoor Bistro, 8200 W. 71st St. in Overland Park.
Offerings includes apple, pumpkin and pecan pie; breakfast items like cinnamon rolls and breakfast casserole, and sides including herb scalloped potatoes and sage bread stuffing. Find the news release at smsd.org to view the entire menu and place an order.
Principal earns statewide award
Manchester Park Elementary Principal Sean Bohon has been named the 2018 Kansas School Counselor Principal Advocate of the Year by the Kansas Counselor Association. The Olathe District school is at 9810 Prairie Creek Road in Lenexa.
“Sean represents the high level of support and collaboration our principals provide to building counselors as they support the many needs of students and families in our schools,” said Tim Reves, assistant superintendent for elementary education in Olathe.
Free day at Joco Museum
The Johnson County Museum is offering free admission the day before Thanksgiving, when many children are out of school and would enjoy KidScape and other attractions.
KidScape is a 3,500-square-foot area where kids can role-play in an 1870s farmstead, a 1900s city and a 1950s diner.
The museum, in the former King Louie building at 8788 Metcalf Ave., is also home to temporary exhibit called “The Turbulent Twenties.” That exhibit, which concludes May 11, coordinates with the 2018 centennial of the ending of World War I.
Mainstay attractions are the 1950s All-Electric House and history exhibit titled “Becoming Johnson County.” The museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Leawood holiday lighting Nov. 19
A few days before Thanksgiving, Leawood will illuminate City Hall at its 21st annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony.
The event — which includes caroling and refreshments — begins at 6 p.m. Nov. 19 at City Hall, 4800 Town Center Drive. Performers include choirs from Prairie Star Elementary and St. Michael the Archangel schools, as well as the Leawood Stage Company.
This story was originally published November 13, 2018 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Lenexa Rec Center creates artful ‘Splash’."