Contemporary Artists as Shamans: Near and Far
A PowerPoint lecture by Denita Benyshek, denitabenyshek.phd@gmail.com
Friday, April 11, 2025, 6pm at Harvester Arts, 120 E First ST N, Wichita, KS

Dr. Benyshek presents a PowerPoint lecture, “Contemporary Artists as Shamans: Near and Far.”
Based on ten years of cross-cultural, interdisciplinary research, this presentation shares a broad overview of mythology, history, and theories that demonstrate how contemporary artists can serve as healers of individuals and society. Examples of shamanic artists are drawn from the visual arts, classical and rock music, modern dance, ritual theater, and literature, including artists and arts institutions located in Wichita. Topics include signs of calling, gender, personality traits, initiation, and social recognition. Benyshek will describe her “Naerim Gut” (initiation ritual) led by South Korean mansin (master of one thousand spirits) Kim Junghee, how shamanic experiences and practices inspired the artworks currently on exhibit at Reuben Saunders Gallery (the “Into the Garden” series) and at Tim Stone’s Gallery at the Commerce Club/The National (the “Cosmic Spirits” series).

Benyshek’s formal education includes a BFA, Wichita State University, an MFA, University of Washington, and an MA and PhD in humanistic and transpersonal psychology from Saybrook University. Benyshek’s research on contemporary artists as shamans was published in the United States, England, Poland, and Hungary. Her artwork is in public art collections in Washington state and Denmark, with past solo exhibits in Seattle, Santa Fe, Portland, Sun Valley, and Wichita, and inclusion in museum group exhibits. Recently, Benyshek’s work was exhibited at Viridian Artists in New York City. Her paintings will be featured at the upcoming Clio Art Fair in New York City. She currently resides in Wichita, Kansas.

Art:
https://www.reubensaundersgallery.com/exhibit/into-the-garden-denita-benyshek/
https://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/denita-benyshek-artist
https://www.instagram.com/denitabenyshek/

Publications:
https://saybrook.academia.edu/DenitaBenyshekPhDMFA