Dole Institute Archives hosting exhibit of Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist


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LAWRENCE — The Robert J. Dole Institute Archive and Special Collections at the University of Kansas will host the "Herblock" exhibition until Aug. 21, featuring political cartoons on the environment, education, civil rights, democracy and 13 U.S. presidents by four-time Pulitzer Prize winner Herbert Block.

The exhibition is free and open to the public during Dole Institute business hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday.

In conjunction with this exhibit, Joe Liccar, an editorial cartoonist for The Examiner of Independence, Mo., will discuss his work in a public program at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 14. A public reception will follow.

“Herblock was the most honored cartoonist of his time, pressing the issues with clever political insights through his editorial cartoons for over 55 years,” said Kristine Schenk, Dole Archive education and interpretation specialist. “With the upcoming election, the Dole Archive thought displaying this exhibit would be a fun way to lead into the presidential campaign as many of the issues Herblock addressed are still relevant today.”

Herbert Block (1909-2001), better known as "Herblock," won his last Pulitzer Prize for his Watergate cartoons, which contributed to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. He was the only living cartoonist to exhibit in the National Gallery of Art and to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom while he was still alive. He caricatured all of the U.S. presidents from Herbert Hoover to George W. Bush. Herblock took on causes with courage and conviction, forced reform and coined the phrase “McCarthyism.”

The "Herblock" exhibition is supplied by the Herb Block Foundation, whose mission is to support initiatives that defend basic freedoms, find pathways out of poverty and encourage civic responsibility. They supply classroom materials that accompany the displays.

Liccar has been an editorial cartoonist since 1993. Since 2003, he has been the full-time staff editorial cartoonist for The Examiner daily newspaper.

Fri, 05/18/2012

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Kristine Schenk

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Erin Curtis Dierks