Sharing the rich history of Indian art and printmaking with students, the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum hosts Printing Beyond Borders: Contemporary Indian Prints at Kansas State University. 

Brought to the museum by printmaker and former head of Kansas State art department Charles Stroh, his findings are displayed to immersively portray his travels throughout India in the 1980s. 

“His interviews with them [Indian artists], as well as his residencies at prestigious Indian art schools, established a vibrant cultural network encompassing the Midwest and India,” museum director Kent Michael Smith said. “This exhibition highlights the contributions he made to place Kansas within the global art world.”  

Smith said the exhibition highlights the traditions of 20th century Indian printmakers and their connections to art globally.

“It honors the role that academic curiosity and personal relationships — such as those formed by Charles Stroh — can play in building international bridges through art,” Smith said.

This exhibit, among others, supports the educational and outreach goals of the university. 

“Through exhibitions, research, and programs, the museum creates connections between regional art and broader global perspectives,” Smith said. “Many [K-State] professors incorporate museum visits into their curriculum to enhance student engagement through direct interaction with original works of art and unique artist perspectives.”

Along with college levels, tours are offered to individuals of all ages and can be geared toward specific areas of study. 

Wrapping up its exhibition time, this immersive exhibit will leave the art museum May 31.

Those interested can visit the Kistler Beach Museum of Art today to be transformed to 20th century India, and visit https://beach.k-state.edu/explore/exhibitions/printing-beyond-borders.html to learn about other current exhibitions that may interest you. 

“Museums are places for curiosity, personal reflection, and new perspectives,” Smith said. “Whether you’re drawn to the beauty of the work, the story behind it, or the questions it raises, your experience is valid. Art museums aren’t about having the “right” interpretation — they’re about making connections, and those connections are different for everyone.”