Topeka High School Historical Society

TOPEKA HIGH CURRENT EVENTS

Art Gallery Show

THS Graduate Art Show in the THS Art Gallery
A resurgence and invigoration of the art scene in Topeka has occurred in recent years with the opening of NOTO (North Topeka Arts District), First Friday Art Walks, relocation of young artists to Topeka, and established artists opening studios. The Topeka High Art Department has jumped on the art bandwagon by participating in several First Friday Art Walks showcasing student work. The THS Art Department continues to inspire budding artists. Former teachers Fayeben Wolfe, Jean Bass, Don Newby, and Marc Rapp are frequently mentioned by appreciative students.

A THS Graduate Art Show opened on March 4th in the THS Art Gallery, as a stop on Topeka’s First Friday Art Walk. Showcased pieces were created by graduates who have become professional artists, alongside pieces designed by weekend hobbyists. Artists donated their work and silent bidding began that evening. A portion of the proceeds will be used to purchase non-budgeted equipment for the THS Art Department and display equipment for the Art Gallery. The show is so spectacular that the THSHS decided to extend the bidding until the end of June. With THS supporters living all over the world, many will not be able to see the show in person, even though it will stay up through the summer months. We decided to bring the show to you, with this special edition of our newsletter and online viewing through our website at http://ths.topekapublicschools.net/alumni/whats_happening.html. Photographs and information about each piece are included in these pages. Support the THS Art Department and add to your art collection. Send us your bids either by email at thshs2001@yahoo.com or call us at 785-295-3200. Opening bids are half the value of the piece. High bidders will be informed of their purchases by July 9th. We hope that variations of this show will become an annual event at THS.

trojan1

Trojan Statue
On March 31, 2011 a beautiful bronze Trojan Statue was dedicated at THS. This Proud Trojan was installed in front of the school between the main walkways. It will stand for years as a symbol of the pride and tradition at Topeka High School. Topeka High thanks Mr. Adrian Whited and Mr. John Alberg of the THS Class of 1948 for this addition to the THS campus.

THS Historical Society 25^thAnniversary Celebration
On Sunday afternoon October 17th, 2010, a crowd of THS graduates, current students, administrators and community supporters gathered in Hoehner Auditorium for a long anticipated performance by Richetta Manager (THS 1971). Accompanied on the piano by Robert Roche, Miss Manager's versatile and powerful voice filled the auditorium with arias from The Marriage of Figaro, Tannhauser, Tosca, and Gerschwin. With help from the Madrigals she touched our hearts singing The Mountains Shall Depart and raised the roof, accompanied by the THS Jazz Band, on Fly Me to the Moon. The THS Historical Society thanks the THS Class of 1971, Capitol Federal Foundation, Wolfe's Camera, the CCS Fund at the Topeka Community Foundation, TOSCA, THS PTO, Topeka Public Schools Foundation, Topeka Community Concert, Coffman Defries & Nothern, Stanley's Flowers, Marie Gaither, Douglass Wallace and Jim & Kathy Maag for their generous support of Miss Manager's Concert. Check the Topeka Public School's public access channel (14) schedule on the link below, in the upcoming weeks, for the Richetta Manager Concert. In the meantime, watch the THS 2010 Hall of Fame Ceremony. If you are a former THS Madrigal, put November 26, 2011 on your calendars and plan to help celebrate 75 years of Madrigals. Look for more information in the spring. If you would like to help find your fellow Madrigals, contact the THS Historical Society at thshs2001@yahoo.com. http://documents.topekapublicschools.net/communications/tpstv/tpstv.php.

David H. Overmyer's Art THS & Mulvane Art Museum
Topeka High proudly displays 3 works of art by former student, David Hicks Overmyer. Above the fireplace in The English Room (306) hangs his 1937 painting of medieval pilgrims, " The Pageant of England". Funded by a 1937 WPA grant, the School Board commissioned Mr. Overmyer to paint the massive wall mural, nearly 1,000 square feet, for the teachers' cafeteria. In 1986 the THS Historical Society acquired from Shawnee County the 6'8" by 14' Overmyer mural titled "Kansas, the End of the Trail". The Kansas Free Fair Assn. had originally commissioned the painting in 1939 for its new Agriculture Hall. Paul Beauchamp restored it for the Society, as one of the first of many accomplishments during the next 25 years. Friends of the Mulvane Art Museum has been awarded a grant from the Kansas Arts Commission which will be used to support an exhibition and educational program featuring the works of David H. Overmyer. The exhibit will be displayed from Feb. 5 to May 22 at SW 17th and Jewell on the Washburn Campus. Born in Topeka in 1889, Overmyer was an illustrator; a painter who specialized in murals, portraits, and landscapes; a commercial artist; and a teacher. He studied at the Reid-Stone Art School in Topeka and the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. He was hired in 1945, by Charles Marshall, state architect, to paint murals depicting the state's history in the first floor of the Capitol's rotunda. Because of the limited funds available, Marshall had to hire Overmyer as an ordinary painter, paying him the same wages as if the walls were to be painted with interior house paint.
Click here for more information about the Mulvane Art Museum

Student Cafeteria Chandeliers
In the summer of 2009 four original chandeliers, along with twenty replicated chandeliers were installed in the student cafeteria. Thanks to the generosity of Jayne Allen Powell's (THS '55) lead gift in memory of her brother James Allen '51, which was matched by the classes of 1951 and 1958, the cafeteria is another step closer to its original appearance.

Stained Glass

Woodward Library Stained Glass Windows
Restoration of the windows in the Topeka High Library was complete in September 2009. This work also completes the entire restoration of all 6 areas in the building with stained glass.

THS Ramblers

THS Basketball Separate, But Equal?
Thursday, October 15, 7 PM, Topeka High Student Cafeteria
The public is invited to attend a panel discussion of THS graduates who played on the Ramblers and Trojan basketball teams.
Just prior to the landmark U. S. Supreme Court Case Oliver L. Brown, et.al. v. Board of Education of Topeka, et.al., Topekans of all colors enjoyed excellent educational opportunities, but the setting remained asked. While Topeka High School was integrated, grade schools were not. And while most sports and activities at Topeka high were integrated, basketball was not. White boys were Trojans; Black boys were Ramblers. Separate but Equal? It is the goal of the sponsors of this event, Shawnee County Historical Society, Topeka High Historical Society, Visit Topeka, National Park Services, WIBW, and the Shawnee County Sports Council that the dialogue that begins from the evening will continue - that others will share their experiences and memories so that our children and grandchildren truly understand the world they inherit, and that they have a more clear understanding of their own mission and role in achieving freedom and equality. Separate But Equal Flyer

For information about Topeka High today, visit our student-created Topeka High website.