THE ANDERSON COUNTY REVIEW Tuesday, October 7, 2003



THE ANDERSON COUNTY REVIEW / George Pasley

KANSAS ART —Shirley Roeckers and Dorothy Lickteig display a geographically accurate plaster cast of Kansas, donated by artist Allan McCollum.

BY JAUNITA KELLERMAN
ANDERSON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

A topological model of the state of Kansas has been contributed to the Anderson County Historical Society. Allan McCollum of New York, N.Y., is the artist and donor.

McCollum explains in an accompanying paper the process of making such a model. First of all, he has made molds created using a computer-controlled routing machine from geographic information stystem date supplied by the U.S. government. He has created rubber molds for the states of Kansas and Missouri. Several models of both, made in ceramic using these molds, all finished with bright-colored glazes, will be displayed and offered for sale at the Grand Arts gallery in Kansas City, Mo. The gallery is at 1819 Grand Boulevard, where these will be displayed from November 7 through December 20. The Grand Arts telephone number is (816) 421-6887.

Again, using the same molds, McCollum has created a different kind of object, like the one contributed to the local museum. The topological model was made with the same molds, but produced using a mixture of plaster and cement. The Anderson County Historical Society is most fortunate to have him share one of these with society members.

Those wishing to learn a little more about McCollum's project may visit the website at grandartsproject.html.