The Daum Museum of Contemporary Art at State Fair Community College is showcasing a variety of exhibitions this fall, featuring contemporary interpretations of nature, identity, the American West and abstract art. The museum also will host an artist lecture and guided meditation sessions in November and December.
The exhibitions feature works from the museum's permanent collection alongside pieces by guest artists from across the country. Several exhibitions will remain on display into early 2027.
Fall Exhibitions
Eye of the Beholder | July 7-Dec. 20, 2026
Eye of the Beholder explores how perception and context influence interpretations of femininity in art. The exhibition places works with recognizable feminine characteristics alongside abstract pieces that suggest feminine qualities through color, texture and form.
Featuring works by artists including Donna Sharrett, Helen Frankenthaler and Michael Eastman, the exhibition encourages visitors to consider how their expectations shape what they see. Contrasting gallery arrangements, including a densely arranged salon-style display and a more traditional presentation, further explore the influence of context on interpretation.
Under Pressure | July 7-Dec. 20, 2026
Drawn from the Daum Museum's permanent collection, Under Pressure examines the tension between order and disruption in abstract art. Through grids, repeated patterns, layered surfaces and expressive gestures, the exhibition explores how artistic structures can convey both control and instability.
The works invite viewers to consider the relationship between structure, spontaneity and the expressive possibilities of abstraction.
Contemporary Visions of the West | Aug. 12-Dec. 20, 2026
Contemporary Visions of the West brings together artists from across the United States whose work challenges traditional representations of the American West.
Selected through a national juried process, the exhibition explores Western identities and landscapes through themes of migration, labor, environmental change, belonging and cultural history. The works offer perspectives on the evolving American West beyond familiar frontier narratives and stereotypes.
The exhibition was created in partnership with the National Cattle Trails Conference and received partial sponsorship from Douglas and Connie Kiburz.
Cross-Pollination | Sept. 18, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
Cross-Pollination combines works from the Daum Museum's permanent collection with pieces on loan from contemporary artists to explore relationships within the natural world.
Through painting, photography, sculpture, textiles and installations, the exhibition examines themes of growth, migration, adaptation and resilience. Plants and pollinators serve as recurring symbols of interdependence, connecting ecological relationships with artistic influence and cultural exchange.
Participating guest artists include Heidi Carlsen-Rogers of Bella Vista, Arkansas; Kate Clements of Kansas City, Kansas; Leticia R. Bajuyo of Norman, Oklahoma; Naomi Peterson of Kansas City, Missouri; and Tiffany Calvert of St. Louis.
Bede Clarke: King's Highway | Sept. 18, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027
King's Highway features ceramics and works on paper by artist Bede Clarke, professor emeritus at the University of Missouri.
The exhibition explores Clarke's interest in handmade forms, expressive drawing and the relationship between spontaneity and restraint. Through layered surfaces, distinctive lines and carefully developed forms, the works examine how clay and other materials can reflect the creative process and human experience.
Relay: Special Art Installation by Leticia R. Bajuyo | April 23, 2026-June 1, 2027
Relay is a large-scale installation by visiting artist Leticia R. Bajuyo, displayed in the halls of the Stauffacher Center.
Installed in April, the suspended artwork incorporates familiar materials and forms to explore connections between communities, shared memories and everyday objects. Bajuyo's installations often use materials such as CDs, artificial grass and insulation foam to encourage audiences to reconsider the meaning and value of common objects.
Visitors interested in donating CDs or DVDs for Bajuyo's next installation may bring them to the Daum Museum office.
Upcoming Events
Bede Clarke Artist Lecture | Nov. 10
The Daum Museum will host a free artist lecture featuring Bede Clarke at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, in Stauffacher Theatre on SFCC's Sedalia campus.
Clarke, professor emeritus at the University of Missouri, will discuss his work in connection with his current exhibition, *King's Highway*. The lecture is free and open to the public.
Meditation at the Daum | Nov. 17 and Dec. 15
The museum will continue its *Meditation at the Daum* series with guided Yoga Nidra sessions led by registered yoga teacher Audrey Connor, RYT 500.
Sessions will be held from 4-5 p.m. Nov. 17 and Dec. 15. Yoga Nidra, often described as "yogic sleep," is a guided meditation practice focused on deep relaxation.
Reservations are available through the museum's website.
For more information about exhibitions, upcoming events and registration, visit the Daum Museum of Contemporary Art's website at daummuseum.org.