“Prairie Memories: The Art of Glenda Taylor,” an art exhibition in honor of Glenda Taylor, former chair of the art department, features work by Taylor and will be on display from March 14 through May 14 in the Mulvane Art Museum on Washburn University campus.

Taylor passed away in a bicycle accident in June 2015 while training for the Kansas State Time Trial Championship. The exhibition in Mulvane presents the work that she created from 1970 to the present.

“This exhibit is especially meaningful to the art students that got to work with Glenda,” said Julie Velez, senior art major. “Her work shows the type of person that she was. She was caring, kind and thoughtful.”

Velez said that Taylor was influenced greatly by nature. She used to live on a farm in Chapman, Kansas as she was growing up. She expressed her connection to nature with avid cycling and getting her hands dirty in art representing nature.

Brielle Barrett, senior art major, said that Taylor was a great source of inspiration. Taylor’s older work from the 1970s appeared to be a lot bigger than her current work, going from large statues to small plates and teapots. It is interesting to see the change and how she grew over all the years.

Velez said that Taylor was born and raised in Kansas on a farm, bringing to a head her love of nature. This exhibit is a powerful statement to how many people love and appreciate Linda. She will remain important with her art far into the future.

The exhibit is curated from her work in the ‘70s to the present, including hanging pieces, plates, urns and teapots. The art is focused mainly on natural substances, such as wood, stone and clay.

Works from 1996 to present use other materials, such as metal, mixed with natural ones. These works focus more on landscapes, including two pieces called “Golden Dreams” and “Treasure.”

Taylor’s work has been displayed in over 10 other museums around the United States. Her work is also desired by permanent collectors, including the Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery in Lindsborg, Emporia State University, Kansas State University, Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Highland Community College and the State Ceramic Institute.

Pieces were provided for the Mulvane Art Museum by Joe Saia, Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, and Dale and Evan Hartley.

The three series, “Seasonal Cycle,” “Youthful and Aging Figure” and “Floral Inspirations,” all were created within the last 15 years and are featured in the gallery. Some of her earlier work, as far back as the ‘70s, is also featured.

“I worked along with Glenda,” Barrett said. “It is beautiful to see her pieces. It lets us have her for a little bit longer.”

For more information, contact the Mulvane Art Museum at (785) 670-1124.