<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599595760962.jpeg" alt=""Arikaree Breaks/Prairie Chickens" by Dennis Schiel of Hays is part of the&nbsp;Kansas Scenic Byways exhibit now on display at the Hays Arts Center." />
 <figcaption>"Arikaree Breaks/Prairie Chickens" by Dennis Schiel of Hays is part of the&nbsp;Kansas Scenic Byways exhibit now on display at the Hays Arts Center.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostAn art exhibit that features scenes from Kansas Scenic Byways opened Tuesday at the <a href="https://haysartscouncil.org/">Hays Arts Center</a>.The exhibit was originally shown at the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery in Lindsborg. The exhibit was supposed to be in Hays during the summer, but the exhibit was pushed back because of COVID-19, Brenda Meder, HAC director, said.The exhibit will be open through Oct. 15. Masks are required in the HAC. Admission is free.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599596079628.jpeg" alt="This oil painting, "The Matriarch" by Virginia Grass Simmons, depicts a scene from the Prairie Trail Scenic Byway." />
 <figcaption>This oil painting, "The Matriarch" by Virginia Grass Simmons, depicts a scene from the Prairie Trail Scenic Byway.</figcaption>
 </figure>Several western Kansas artists were included in the original show.This includes a painting my Dennis Schiel of prairie chickens at Arikaree Breaks neat St. Francis; Dighton's Patrycia Ann Herndon's "Once Almost Gone" in graphite; Russell's Angela Muller's "Moonrise over a Limestone Field;" Hays's Doloris Pederson's "Marsh Watch," which is a scene of waterfowl painted from Cheyenne Bottoms; and "Once Grand," a photograph on canvas from Leon Staab, Hays.A few pieces of the original exhibit were sold or were not available for the Hays show. However, several pieces of artwork from local artists have been added for the Hays exhibition, Meder said. Forty-two pieces are in the Hays show.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599596279225.jpeg" alt="Painting by local artist Matt Miller that is in the Hays exhibition of the&nbsp;Kansas Scenic Byways show now on display at the HAC." />
 <figcaption>Painting by local artist Matt Miller that is in the Hays exhibition of the&nbsp;Kansas Scenic Byways show now on display at the HAC.</figcaption>
 </figure>Meder said she invited 14 more artists to participate in the Hays show. These included artwork from local artists Matt Miller, Michael Jilg, Kathleen Kuchar, Shannon Trevethan and Nicole Thibodeau.An oil panel from Kevin Lundy of Wilson was in the original show in Lindsborg, but that painting was not available for the Hays exhibition, so Lundy provided another oil on panel for the Hays show."It is really a wonderful body of work," Meder said. "Artists come from all across the state, and the vistas are inspired from trails from all across the state."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599596381355.jpeg" alt="Ceramic piece by Ron Michael, director of the&nbsp;Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery " />
 <figcaption>Ceramic piece by Ron Michael, director of the&nbsp;Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery </figcaption>
 </figure>Ron Michael, director of the&nbsp;Sandzén Memorial Gallery, contributed a ceramic piece to the Hays exhibit. He received his BFA in ceramics at Fort Hays State University.All of the pieces of artwork will be tagged with the Kansas locations that inspired them.Chuck Bonner of Scott City contributed a piece to the exhibit. An exhibition of his work and accompanying fossils just wrapped up at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History. He said traffic at his Keystone Gallery has picked up as people are choosing to explore sites closure to home rather than longer trips out of state during this time of COVID-19.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599596590687.jpeg" alt="Artwork by&nbsp;Chuck Bonner of Scott City that is part of the Hays Kansas Scenic Byways exhibition." />
 <figcaption>Artwork by&nbsp;Chuck Bonner of Scott City that is part of the Hays Kansas Scenic Byways exhibition.</figcaption>
 </figure>Meder said she hoped the exhibit might inspire others to visit some of Kansas' natural wonders during the fall."I think a lot people because of the circumstances of the coronavirus and everybody staying closer to home, I think there has been a lot more appreciation and enjoyment and exploration of the areas around the state," Meder said. "We had a beautiful summer. Exploring some of these things outside it was a beautiful summer for that."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599596743080.jpeg" alt="Lecompton's Louis Copt's "Flames at Moonrise"&nbsp; at the Hays Arts Center. This oil painting was created from a scene near Kahola Lake, north of Strong City, along the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway." />
 <figcaption>Lecompton's Louis Copt's "Flames at Moonrise"&nbsp; at the Hays Arts Center. This oil painting was created from a scene near Kahola Lake, north of Strong City, along the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway.</figcaption>
 </figure>Since not everyone has been able to get out to visit the HAC because of COVID-19, Meder said she has tried to engage the community in other ways. She will be posting photos of the complete exhibit on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Hays-Arts-Council-137869202896983">HAC's Facebook</a> page. Also look for links to the artists' webpages, Instagram pages and blogs for views of more artwork and to connect with the artists directly.

Kansas Scenic Byways exhibit opens at Hays Arts Center