At the Shafer Gallery you can expect to see bronze sculptures by noted western artist Gus Shafer, monthly exhibitions by trending contemporary regional and nationally known artists and enjoy interactive activities with your family. The Shafer Gallery presents artwork of a national caliber in an aesthetically pleasing environment as well as educational programming such as studio workshops, early childhood activities and short art history seminars.
Gallery Report 2020-21
About Gus Shafer
A son of the Kansas prairie, Leonard E. "Gus" Shafer was born January 23, 1907, on a farm southwest of Hoisington, Kansas.
A farm hand named "Old Ben" taught him to hunt, trap and ride. Shafer felt that the influence of Old Ben and his grandfather caused him to have such interest in the Old West.
While attending a small one-room schoolhouse, Shafer learned to draw. Following graduation from Hoisington High School in 1925, he attended Grinnell College in Iowa and Kansas State Teachers College, Emporia, Kan., where he met Eva.
They were married in 1930 and moved to Kansas City where he worked for 38 years as a commercial artist. He sculpted his first model for casting in 1966 at the age of 59.
In 1968 he closed his art studio and began sculpting bronzes full time, for which he later became internationally famous. L. E. "Gus" Shafer passed away on May 5, 1985, but his legacy lives on, here, in the gallery
Gallery Hours
Current Hours
Monday - Saturday 10 am to 5 pm
Closed academic holidays
*special appointments available by arrangement. Tour groups please call ahead.
Location and Contact Information
Contact: Dave Barnes, Gallery Director
Phone: 620-792-9342
Email: ShaferGallery@bartonccc.edu
Address: 245 NE 30 Road, Great Bend, KS 67530
facebook.com/shafergallery
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