OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — A suburban Kansas City school district says it is negotiating to bring a Thomas Hart Benton painting out of hiding and display it for the public. The painting, called "Utah Highlands," has not been seen for several years. It was purchased for the Shawnee Mission High School by the class of 1957 and for years was displayed in what is now Shawnee Mission North High School. But district officials had the painting kept in a secure place after it was appraised as being worth several hundred thousands of dollars.
The Kansas City Star reported this week that some former students who helped buy the painting want it displayed. On Thursday, district officials said they are negotiating with another entity to display the painting for the public.
