Beauchamp’s Gallery to Feature Colorists Diane Lawrence and Debra Clemente

Fans of bright colorful artwork will see plenty to like in Beauchamp’s upcoming exhibit- New Works by Debra Clemente and Diane Lawrence. Both artists utilize bright pure color to inject energy and emotion into their paintings. Clemente applies heavy colorful oil paints on canvas with a pallet knife. Her works have a textural quality that seems to be influenced by the impressionists like Van Gogh. Lawrence applies thin layers of equally colorful pigments to delicate silk fabric. And though the color is just as striking, the surface quality of her work is much different than Clemente’s. Lawrence’s use of silk gives each painting a shimmering effect that is unique to the medium and a nice contrast to Clemente’s heavy oils.

For Clemente, much of her inspiration comes from the landscape. However, she is in no way focused on an exact interpretation of a particular scene. Rather, she is much more interested in using color to express the emotions that she feels. Similarly, Lawrence puts it this way, “Forms that radiate vibrant color energize my soul and lead me into a delightful journey into expression….” In the past, Lawrence’s focus has been florals and depictions of colorful Koi fish and this show has good examples of such work. However Lawrence, like Clemente, will also present a number of works influenced by the landscape.

New Works by Debra Clemente and Diane Lawrence can be seen at Beauchamp’s Gallery starting December 31, but an opening reception for both artists will take place on Friday evening, January 8th at the gallery. The public is invited.
Beauchamp’s is Topeka’s premier provider of original fine art, classic custom framing, art restoration/repair, and consulting. Located at 3113 SW Huntoon in the Westboro Mart, Beauchamp’s has been a mainstay of the Topeka arts community for over 35 years.

2010 Leadership Greater Topeka Class Announced

Thirty-six individuals from Topeka and Shawnee County have been selected to participate in the 2010 Leadership Greater Topeka program. Leadership Greater Topeka, a program of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce since 1984, identifies outstanding potential leaders from various components of the community. There are 776 alumni of the program.

Class members will attend a retreat and seven day-long sessions between January 28-29 and May 7 to learn about challenges facing the City of Topeka and Shawnee County and how they, as individuals, can work to influence community issues and problems. The 2010 class was chosen from more than 300 nominees representing a variety of backgrounds and a cross section of the community.

Members of the 2010 class are:

Erin Aldridge, marketing manager, Topeka Performing Arts Center; Jose Arimany, associate manager, Business Analysis, Hill's Pet Nutrition; Gregg Burden, supervisory program specialist, VA Health Resource Center; Tyrell Carstarphen, student, Highland Park High School; Aaron Classi, commercial banking relationship manager, U.S. Bank; Shelley D'Attilio, laboratory manager, Stormont-Vail HealthCare; Kristina Dietrick, president, Creative Business Solutions; Mary Anne Durall; assistant vice president - global services/operations, se2 - div. of Security Benefit; Amber Gentry, vice president, Networks Plus; Brenda Guilfoyle, director resource development, United Way of Greater Topeka; Brian Haug, account executive, WIBW-TV; Julie Hinrichsen, vice president information services, CIO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas; Captain Shane Hoobler, Shawnee County Sheriff's Office; Dracy Jenkins, executive director, Distribution Power Delivery, Westar Energy, Inc.; Dean Roxanne Kelly, Washburn Institute of Technology; Amanda Lanum, news anchor, WIBW Channels; Chris Lipp, cirector of cardiology/vascular surgery service line, St. Francis Health Center; Larry McCoig, regional president, Citizens Bank & Trust; Katie McCollom, development director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Topeka; Bill Naeger, senior project manager, Bartlett & West; Jenny Oxandale, assistant director, Kansas Volunteer Commission, KSDE; Nancy Riegle, interpreter/translator, Spanish Solutions International, LLC; Cody Robertson, associate attorney, Goodell, Stratton, Edmonds & Palmer, LLP; Angel Romero, resident assistant (RA), Washburn University Residential Living; Ginger Spivey, programming associate, KTWU, Washburn University; Captain Jerry Stanley, Topeka Police Department; Shelly Starr, chief of litigation, Topeka City Attorney; Brandi Studer, associate attorney, Henson, Hutton, Mudrick & Gragson, LLP; Bob Swafford, owner/president, ColorWorks Paint & Supply; Bob Trepinski, executive director, Marian Clinic; Angela Valdivia, administrative assistant, Student Activities & Greek Life Office; Washburn University; Monte Weathers, Brigade S4 (Logistics Officer), 69th Troop Command, Kansas Army Nat’l Guard; Dana Wethington, chief executive officer, American Red Cross, Kansas Capital Area Chapter; Abbey Wostal, vice president/business development, Fidelity State Bank and Trust Co.; Corrie Wright, HND manager, City of Topeka - Dept. of Housing & Neighborhood Development; Tyson Yager, business analyst, Capitol Federal Savings.

Wells Fargo Advisors Topeka, Kansas, and The Topeka Rescue Mission helping to give back this Holiday Season

Wells Fargo Advisors Topeka, Kansas, announced today a new project with The Topeka Rescue Mission. Throughout the holiday season and the coming year, Wells Fargo Advisors employees will provide support to the Mission by having food and item bins at their office, volunteering hours in the warehouse, and serving meals over the course of 2010. A $3,000.00 grant from The Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation has been provided to leverage their efforts.

“We know that many more of our neighbors have been hit hard by the economic downturn and our team members want to do what they can to help,” says Neta Jeffus, Branch Manager and Sr. Vice-President. “Our project with The Topeka Rescue Mission to provide food and supplies will help to make a difference in the lives of many.”

The project is one of 200 throughout the U.S. managed by Wells Fargo Advisors as part of the firm’s Investing in Our Communities initiative.

“As a leader in our industry, we recognize that investing in our communities is a responsibility we have as a result of doing business there, and we understand that our firm is only as strong as the communities where we are located,” said Danny Ludeman, president & CEO of Wells Fargo Advisors. “To that end, through our team members’ volunteer efforts, corporate philanthropy and community involvement, Wells Fargo Advisors is showing its commitment to building strong and vibrant communities, improving quality of life, and making a positive difference where we live and work in a very hands-on way.”

To be eligible for foundation funding, projects had to outline how the firm’s employees would get involved in hands-on projects ranging from stocking food pantries and serving meals, to conducting clothing drives and re-painting shelters.

Both Wachovia Corporation and Wells Fargo & Company have strong legacies of giving to the community. In 2008, the combined company contributed $226 million in grants to 22,000 nonprofit organizations and 1.4 million team member hours volunteering in communities across the United States.

Washburn University School of Business students score high on national business exam

Fifty-two students attending the Washburn School of Business received a score on the Educational Testing Services (ETS) Major Field Test in Business that would place the School in the top 15 percent of all schools administering the exam.

Given at approximately 600 colleges and universities across the country, the MFT is a comprehensive outcomes assessments designed to measure the critical knowledge and understanding obtained by students in a major field of study. The tests go beyond the measurement of factual knowledge by helping business programs evaluate the ability of the students to analyze and solve problems, understand relationships and interpret material from their study of business.

Washburn students consistently score in the top 20 percent each year.

“We are very pleased with the performance of our undergraduate students” said David Sollars, dean of the School of Business. “It reflects the dedication of our students, faculty and staff to provide a high quality business education for our students. It is also a reflection of the support provided by the university, the Washburn Endowment Association, our alumni and other supporters who have provided resources to support student learning.”

The Washburn School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International, the premier accrediting body of business programs. The School was also included in Princeton Review’s 2010 Best 301 Business School List for its high quality MBA program.

Washburn students who individually scored at the top 75th percentile and above are:
Anthony: Aaron Podschun
Berryton: Sarah Sims
Chanute: Heath Bideau
Council Grove: Jesse Morgan
Glen Elder: Jessica Winkel
Ness City: Dillon Schwindt
Ottawa: Matthew Neff
Overland Park: Ben Bianchino
Quinter: Grady Kesler
Sabetha: Daniel Tramp
Topeka: Megan Allen, Nicholas Armstrong, Douglas Boleski, Jared Bryant, Kevin Etzel, Marshall Ferguson, Lindsay Heil, John Imming, Robert Seitz, Nathan Stillings, Thaddeus Taylor

Designed by Educational Testing Services (also known for the SAT, PSAT and other nationally known tests), the ETS Major Field Tests are comprehensive outcome assessments designed to measure the critical knowledge and understanding obtained by students in a major field of study. The Major Field Tests go beyond the measurement of factual knowledge and help students analyze and solve problems, understand relationships and interpret material from their major field of study.