FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Megan Hartzell, Director of Communications
Phone: 316.573.6365
Email: megan@downtownwichita.org
DOWNTOWN WICHITA LAUNCHES ALLEY DOORS PROJECT
Project transforms alley and back-of-building doors into unexpected art destinations
Wichita, KS – November 5, 2020 – Downtown Wichita has launched the Alley Doors project, which repurposes alley and back-of-building doors into a discovery-driven urban gallery. The doors, which are at various properties throughout the downtown district, can be viewed by the public at any time, and provide a safe, socially distanced opportunity to enjoy local art during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier this year, Kansas based artists contributed to an online artwork database. Participating property and business owners in the downtown district used this database to select artwork that was vinyl printed and applied to their selected alley door.
“Public art is essential to creating a unique environment and this project will add to the growing vibrancy in the downtown district. We are excited for our community to experience these unique works of art and hope they will inspire anyone who seeks them out or stumbles across them,” said Emily Brookover, Director of Community Development at Downtown Wichita.
The goal of this project is to increase the foot-traffic and visibility of overlooked spaces downtown and thus enhance safety, combat vandalism and create surprises for passersby. Downtown Wichita received a grant from the Knight Foundation Fund at the Wichita Community Foundation to launch the Alley Doors project.
Featured Artists and Locations
• Hydrangeas in His Hand by Aaron Jackson Bowman – The LUX, 120 E. First St. N.
• Diversity by Ande Hall – Hotel Old Town, 830 E. First St. N.
• Untitled Wichita 4 by BIGMENTION – Belford Electric, 800 E. Third St. N.
• Wichita Walkabout by Lindsey Kernodle – High Touch Technologies, 110 S. Main
• Before the Wheel Blues by Matthew Miller – Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway
• Burnt Orange by Rebecca Hoyer – The Kaufman Building, 210 S. Market
• Fire Up! by Robin Valenzuela – Roxy’s Downtown, 412 E. Douglas Ave.
The Alley Doors project will be a part of the First Friday art crawl event on Friday, Nov. 6. The public can find more information about the project, and an interactive map with directions to each door at downtownwichita.org/alleydoors.
The Alley Doors project is intended to be an ongoing project. Any interested property or business owner in the downtown district can sign up at downtownwichita.org/participate.
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About Downtown Wichita
Downtown Wichita is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that amplifies the energy, capital, and growth of downtown by empowering residents, visitors, and businesses to explore the possibilities of our city’s core. Downtown Wichita is an affiliate of the Greater Wichita Partnership. Learn more at downtownwichita.org.