Honoring the memory of Rebecca Blunk

On April 24, NEFA staff gathered to honor the memory of Rebecca Blunk with the installation of a work painted by her father, distinguished American artist Robert Blunk.

Born in Salyards, Kansas in 1923, Robert Blunk served in the Pacific with the Marine Corps in World War II, and upon his return earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Kansas City Institute of the Arts in 1950. He later earned a Masters of Fine Arts (sculpture) at Pittsburg State University, Pittsburgh, Kansas, and had a notable 40-year teaching career alongside creating public sculptures, designs, and installations. Still active as an artist, his work has been collected by numerous museums, municipalities, and private collectors.

Oil on canvas in a frame constructed by the artist, “Old Apple Orchard” was delivered in person and hung by Rebecca’s brother Scott Blunk, with his wife Lisa Kay and Rebecca’s spouse Marcie Hershman. Painted in 1953, the summer that Rebecca was born, it graced the walls of the Blunk family home for many years.

We are deeply moved to have this painting here at NEFA and extraordinarily grateful to the Blunk family for its loan in honor of Rebecca’s great dedication to NEFA as Director of Performing Arts from 1985-1995, Deputy Director/Director of Programs from 1995-2004, and Executive Director 2004-2014.

 

Top: Lisa Kay and Scott Blunk
Bottom: Lisa Kay, Marcie Hershman, and Scott Blunk
Photos by Jeffrey Filiault