Program Description
Description
Sue Jean Covacevich.
The name resonates across Winfield when the subject is art.
The name and her art will be on display in an exhibition and program beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 11, at the Winfield Public Library, a testament to her lifetime in the art world and the community.
From her arrival as an art teacher at Winfield High School in 1929 until she died in 1998, Covacevich created, explained, criticized and stood her ground on the subject of art in Winfield. She started an art collection still owned by the USD 465. She helped form the Arts and Humanities Committee. She taught at Southwestern College. She prepared and promoted exhibitions of art. She created the iconic mural that exists at RCB Bank, depicting Winfield history highlights. She tutored and inspired artists of all ages.
Covacevich studied with prominent Mexican-born muralist Diego Rivera, and Lindsborg College Professor Birger Sandzen, who gained fame painting Kansas rivers, Colorado mountains and desert scenes.
In 2020 Sue Jean’s daughter, Teresa Grana, made a gift of twenty-one Covacevich paintings to the school art collection, now managed by the USD 465 Foundation. The range of subject matter reflects years of international living and travel during which she produced a large number of paintings. She visited India, Russia, Israel, Jordan, Rome, and lived for a decade in Mexico, reflecting the environments in her art..
A selection of those works will be on display at the library. The gift will be explained and the art life of Covacevich will be remembered. A reception will follow the program, and the works will be on display for observation and conversation.
The program is prepared by members of the USD 465 Foundation and USD 465 Art Collection Committee, in cooperation with the library staff.