Learn more about Garnett by following the links below:

Walker Art Gallery

Address: 125 W 4th Ave
Garnett, KS 66032
Telephone Number: 785.448.3388

Website: www.experiencegarnettks.com
Email Address: garnettlibrary@yahoo.com

About this Exploration:

“In giving them up, I feel I have lost nothing, but rather, if from time-to-time some youngster or some oldster gains something by seeing them, I shall feel richer.” - Maynard Walker

 

Housed within the Walker Art Gallery lies the Mary Bridget McAuliffe Walker Art Collection.  Established in 1951 by Maynard Walker in honor of his mother and given to the city of Garnett, Kansas.  Perhaps Garnett’s most best kept secret, this collection of mostly early twentieth century American paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings is renowned as one of the most extraordinary art collections in the Midwest.  The collection includes works by John Steuart Curry, Robert Henri, Arthur B. Davies, Walt Kuhn, Henry Varnum Poor, Luigi Lucioni, Boardman Robinson, John F. Carlson, Kenneth Callahan and Theodoros Stamos.  Artists from the Midwest include Frederick James, Merrill Gage, Pauline Shirer, David Overmeyer, Adeline Peers, John F. Helm, Dwight Kirsch and his son, John Kirsch.  England is represented by the animal drawing by John Skeaping and a collection of caricature drawings of cats and dogs by Louis Wain.  George Grosz, Edouard Manet and Jean Baptiste Corot are European artists whose works are also included.

           

Call it a stroke of good luck that the Walker Art Collection came to be in Garnett.  Mr. Walker, a prominent art dealer in New York during the 1930’s and 1940’s, had received a letter from Marguerite Jackman of Garnett, who was compiling letters of famous persons for the local library.  In the letter she asked him if he were born in Garnett and if he would write a letter verifying that fact to be kept on file at the library.  Mr. Walker responded with such a letter, then months later wrote asking if the library would be interested in having some of the paintings he owned, offering them on loan.  Later, Maynard Walker gave them outright and then prompted the additional donations by artists and individual collectors.

 

The original Mary Bridget McAuliffe Walker Art Collection consists of 70 pieces.  A new collection entitled, “The Garnett Art Collection” contains additions to the original collection of more than 140 pieces, including graphic by Joseph Albers, ceramic by Karen Karnes, and glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly.

 

 Enter the Walker Art Gallery and find the Local Exhibitor’s Gallery where displays of artwork created by local artists or by an occasional traveling exhibit can be enjoyed.  These works of art are rotated on a monthly basis.

 

• Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Wednesday and Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.