FREE EVENT • Doors open at 6:30p • NOV 5th, 2013
ULRICH MUSEUM OF ART at Wichita State University
CreativeRush presents FOR THE LOVE! a 1st TUE Talk: Join us on November 5th as we hear from three very multifaceted creatives who live life to the fullest balancing labour of loves, passion, play, and work.
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KEN WHITE
Raised on a steady diet of Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley and Tony Rice, this Kentucky native fell asleep many childhood nights with an ear next to the family hi-fi. As a result, Kenny White cinched the Kentucky State Banjo Championship at age 14. At the University of Louisville Music School, Ken studied with the late, great jazz guitar icon Jimmy Raney while continuing to record, perform and tour with bluegrass luminaries such as Vassar Clements and New Tradition. He has written arrangements for and performed with the Louisville Mandolin Orchestra and the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble. After stumbling into the Kansas prairie 16 years ago, he has been a featured performer with many regional groups such as Big Twang, Nouveau Quintet and the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. Over the years, his multi-instrumental prowess can be heard on countless recordings. Most recently, his original compositions, co-written with his wife, Robin Macy, are inspired by the bountiful patch of earth they call home: Bartlett Arboretum in beautiful Belle Plaine, Kansas.
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CONNIE BONFY
Connie Bonfy is a graduate of Emporia State University (BFA) where she studied drawing/painting and art history. She holds a MA from Wichita State University focused on developing the arts in communities. She continues to study painting. In 2013 she was certified in training as a member of the Climate Reality Leadership Corps.Currently, Bonfy is painting “Waiting for the Bus,” an exhibition scheduled for spring 2015 that explores the bus system in Wichita and the people who ride.
She also serves as grant writer for Chamber Music at the Barn, Bartlett Arboretum and others as time permits, and teaches 1-2 art appreciation classes each semester for Butler Community College.Previously, her career in arts management as an executive director has taken her from leading a small rural Kansas arts council; to Santa Fe, NM and the Desert Chorale—a professional chorus; to a metropolitan ballet company—Ballet Wichita; and more recently to Salina Arts and Humanities—a department of the City of Salina.
Bonfy is grateful for such a diverse career that also includes serving as the head grant writer for two community colleges in Kansas and the performing arts presenter at one.Bonfy was honored Kansas Governor Bill Graves with the Governor’s Arts Award in 2000 from for her lifelong committed work as an advocate for the arts. Connie lives with Lily (aka Lillian Russell) a Jack Russell Terrier in downtown Wichita, KS
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TED FARHA
Ted Farha is a creative entrepreneur. He began his day job in 1978 when he and his brother Ed started Farha Construction. Over the years, they built much of Bradley Fair including restaurants YiaYia’s, Bela Luna, and Cibola, as well as dozens of Spangles Restaurants around Kansas. More recently they are responsible for building Tanya’s Soup Kitchen, The Finn Lofts, The Renfrow, Zelman Lofts, and newly open for occupancy—The Lux—the first multi-living facility with a green roof and seeking LEED Gold certification in Wichita.
Farha is also a notable mandolin player. He played classical, jazz, and traditional music for 16 years with the Riverside Mandolin Quartet. Since 2004, he has played jamgrass with Pop and The Boys, and in 2012 he help create the Haymakers, one of Wichita’s new favorite bands.