I am a lover of group shows with a variety of artists and mediums, and so it stands to reason that I love the “Color” show at the Harrison Center every year during December. Obviously the annual color choice has a tendency to impact my enjoyment of the show since I am more inclined to respond favorably to works of art that feature my favorite hues. I am not a Millennial, but I almost squealed with joy when I first learned that this year’s theme color was pink! Although some people may associate pink with Barbie dolls and little girls’ bedrooms, the truth is that pink is a hue that we encounter constantly in reflection and light. Many of the pieces in this show feature sunsets or “sky-scapes” that will appeal to many viewers.

Regardless of which color theme is chosen, this event is consistently interesting for two reasons. The first is the vast number of interpretations by the many artists who participate and the experience of seeing so many media forms in one place. This year the Harrison Gallery and the Annex appear to be glowing with pink, and each time we draw closer to a piece of artwork on the wall, we will discover a different way to be inspired.

The second point of interest is in the curation of the show. Imagine being faced with the challenge of hanging close to two hundred pieces of artwork in a limited space in such a way as to show each one off to its best advantage, all while creating a cohesive view for guests visiting the display. Kyle Ragsdale works this magic by arranging the pieces using his intuition to a thoughtful and exciting display. The enthusiasm for this exhibit is evident based on the responses of artists and attendees alike. I loved seeing Herron students on First Friday dressed in pink outfits, and the conversation all night was peppered with pink references.

If you weren’t able to attend, I would encourage you to stop by the Harrison Center between 8:30am and 5:00pm weekdays to see this show. Some highlights of the show are Chris Tower’s Puppet Figure studies– machine-sewn characters that are fun and informal, but also intricate and intriguing. Alana Williams’s “Sneak Peak of Paradise” is a 3D wall hanging that is made with stoneware clay, but gives the appearance of being made of fabric or something soft enough to be a pillow. Jody Bruns’s piece called “Kansas City... So Hot” is a beautifully executed woodcut done in vibrant hues of pink that seem to pop off of the wall. I also loved the “sketchbook journey” by Lydia Burris with its collection of artistic observations and beautiful drawings.

There are so many other beautiful works that deserve to be appreciated, so hopefully many of you will be able to stop by during the month of December to enjoy finding the answer to the question,”Do Millennials Still Like Pink?”