Reinhold Marxhausen, artist and longtime Concordia University professor, was celebrated Sunday, May 24.
Michael Strand, current chair of Concordia's art department, was one of several who spoke of Marxhausen's impact. "Fresh out of graduate school, I thought I knew everything about art," said Strand, describing his introduction in the 1990s to Marxhausen's work and perspective. "And then I came across this teacher from Concordia and all of his work, and I realized I knew very little about art. Learning about him, what was so amazing to me was how simply he looked at things, and there is incredible genius in that."
Marxhausen's perspective on art was relived during Sunday's celebration through the showing of Findings, a 1975 documentary film about Marxhausen's work produced by Banker's Life and Nebraska NET. Portions of two other films Marxhausen helped develop, A Time to See and Timelines, were also shared as part of the celebration.
Marxhausen became a recognized painter, sculptor and photographer in the Midwest in the latter part of the 20th century. From 1951 until 1989, he was a professor of art at Concordia. Among his most noted works are two large murals in the Nebraska State Capitol Building.
The gathering was sponsored by the Seward Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with Concordia University, family and friends.
