First Friday Gallery Crawl

The First Friday gallery crawl is a unique opportunity for thousands of students, families and art lovers to engage with local art each month at unique locations in Downtown and throughout the city. This grassroots event continues to thrive because of the collective vision and collaboration of galleries and artists.

As the name implies, First Friday happens the first Friday of each month. Hours vary between galleries, but most are open during the core hours of 7pm to 9pm. Most galleries use First Friday to unveil and debut new shows or as a closing reception. All venues are free and open to the public and several galleries incorporate artist demonstrations and/or live music. Not only does this event give guests the opportunity to view creative art space, it also is an excellent time to purchase one-of-a-kind artwork directly from artists.

Transportation Options
Explore the core and gallery hop using the free Q-LINE Trolley shuttle service that runs up and down Douglas Avenue. Electric scooter and bicycle rentals are also available. Discover additional transportation options.

First Friday Events

This month's First Friday will occur on September 6, 2019. Participating venues will be listed on this website no less than a week before the event.

Art House 310
310 South Laura Street 

Title of Exhibition: Art House 310 First Friday – Brooke Schutte & Deber

Date: Friday, March 6, from 6 to 10 p.m.

This event is free to attend and open to the public. Show hangs through March 22nd, 2026.
Art House 310 is located at 310 S. Laura. Two blocks SE of Douglas & Washington in downtown Wichita.

NOTE: Open gallery hours throughout the exhibition are generally Tuesday and Thursday, 6-9pm and Sunday, 1-4pm.

BROOKE SCHUTTE

My name is Brooke, I am a 25 year old artist originally from Colorado. I was raised in a very strict, dominating, and isolating religion and have struggled with a complicated relationship with interpersonal connection, mental health, and generally society as a whole. Very early on in my childhood, I found a voice in art. More so, a purpose as well. The people around me didn’t want to hear me speak, they didn’t value my voice.. But the pretty picture I drew – that was considered valuable.

As I grew older and experienced life in a more raw and unfiltered way, I realized art was no longer what I thought it was: Realism, landscapes, still lifes. Art could be edgy, it could be problematic, and it could make my mom very uncomfortable.

Being a self taught artist, I never identified with one genre or medium. Rather, I always just pursued what spoke to me at the time.

For this show, I chose to speak on mental illness and addiction. Something that in recent years has been at the forefront of my life. When conceptualizing this show, my idea was to keep the subject matter light and playful – humorous and easy on the eye. Exploring the juxtaposition between a sensitive topic like alcoholism or PTSD, while displaying it with bright vibrant, even whimsical imagery.

I stuck with two mediums, marker and acrylic but did not necessarily commit to one style or point of view. I’d like to think my voice and personal method speaks clearly through each piece. And hopefully the audience will be intrigued to divulge into introspection while they view the work.

DEBER

My work centers on compositions that blend traditional realism, abstract expressionism and letterform abstraction. Mix media as a preference: Acrylics, Oil, Enamel mixtures, Spray paint and Airbrush are used to create layered compositions that evoke emotion, movement, and tension.

A core focus of my work lies in bridging the worlds of professional muralism, portrait painting, fine arts and Graffiti.

My canvas work serves as an extension of his street practice, offering a different format through which to explore similar ideas with nuance. For me, art is not a means to an end, it is the end itself. Through each piece, I invite the viewer into the emotional landscape and visual rhythms that define my voice as a well rounded contemporary artist.

Gallery 12
412 East Douglas Avenue 

Event: Hemispheres: A Photographic Journey

Featured Artists: John Ellert/Alexandra Palmer

Hours: Friday, March 6, 6 to 9 p.m.

Opening Reception at Gallery 12 for Member/Photographer: John Ellert. The reception will be held on First Friday March 6th at 6 pm to 9 pm. Also exhibiting is guest artist Ceramist Alexandra Palmer.

The exhibit will be display during the month Of March. A closing reception will be held on Final Friday March 27th, also at 6 pm to 9 pm. The show comes down on the 28th.

Gallery 12 is open and free to the public. Gallery hours are: Wednesday/Thursday/Saturday 10 am to 4 pm & Friday from noon to 6 pm.

Hopping Gnome Brewing Company
1719 Victor Street 
(316) 771-2110

Exhibit: "Wild Souls" by Wynn Ponder

Event Time: Friday, March 6, 3-11 p.m.

We're excited to welcome Wynn Ponder as our featured artist for March!

Grab a beer and support local art!

Artist Statement

I recently embarked on a fine art career after working for many years as a filmmaker and
videographer. This background taught me about composition and lighting, but also the power
these graphic elements have to distill a story into a compelling image that elicits an emotional
response from viewers.

My realistic style is an endeavor to honor the intricate beauty that already exists in the natural
world. Although I sometimes incorporate stylized graphic elements, I mainly see myself as a
chronicler of miracles, a faithful witness to the designs nature has already devised. This
representational approach helps me to connect quickly with viewers and acts as a launch pad
from which I can convey emotions that make wild creatures relatable to humans at a visceral
level.

I am driven to portray wild animals because I have spent much of my life among them, hiking
the forests of the Rocky Mountains, Southeastern Kansas, the Smokey Mountains and the
paradisiacal wilds of Mexico and Ireland. I have been transformed by close-up encounters
with coyotes, deer, owls, armadillos, hummingbirds, doves, kingfishers, turkey vultures, great
blue herons, squirrels, river otters, and countless other creatures. I have also volunteered my
time at a local wildlife sanctuary to care for snow leopards, clouded leopards, tigers, giraffe,
ringtail lemurs, kangaroos, and raptors.

I wish everyone could have these life-changing experiences because, when you meet an animal
on its own terms, in its own territory, you see an individual life being lived with the same
urgency and vitality that we all feel as we make our way through the world. It is this deep
emotional connection I hope to arouse in others when they look at my work.

Mulberry Art Gallery
2721 E. Central Avenue, Suite #215  
(316) 365-9461

Exhibit: Tim Webb's Abstract Exhibition

Featured artist: Tim Webb

Details: Friday, March 6, from 5 to 9 p.m.

Tim Webb - Artist Statement

Creativity has always been at the heart of my journey, evolving from years of experience in illustration and design into the expressive freedom I now embrace through abstract art. My work is driven by a deep connection to color, texture, and form, capturing the energy of spontaneity and the raw beauty of uncertainty. Abstract art allows me to explore the balance between intention and intuition, creating pieces that speak directly to the viewer’s imagination, inviting them to find their own meaning.

Born in Wichita, Kansas, and a graduate of Wichita State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, I’ve spent decades honing my craft. My career has led me from working in advertising and design for major national clients, including Coca-Cola, Merck Pharmaceuticals, and The Wall Street Journal, to creating intricate illustrations and running my own business. Through these experiences, I sharpened my understanding of visual storytelling, always seeking new ways to convey emotion and thought through imagery.

Now, my focus is on abstract painting, where the convergence of years of design, illustration, and creative exploration comes alive. I work primarily with acrylics, using their quick-drying nature to harness the immediacy of the moment. I approach each canvas with a sense of exploration, applying layers of paint with both brushes and palette knives, allowing the medium to guide the process and take unexpected turns. The textures, layers, and movements of the paint tell a story that evolves organically, much like the creative journey itself.

My work is a celebration of freedom—each piece is an invitation to interpret and feel, to experience art as a personal dialogue. My paintings are collected across the United States, resonating with those who are drawn to the emotional depth and vibrant energy of abstraction.

The Enchanted Mermaid
222 North Washington Street 
(316) 796-5383

Exhibit: Gems & Jewels

Event hours: Friday, Feb. 6, 6 to 9 p.m.

Featured Artist: Ann Collins

Don't miss a chance to tour Wichita's Art Hubs the First Friday of every month. Featured Artists all over the city. Enjoy custom Jewelry by Ann Collins. From blow glass to Swarovski crystals. Each with its own piece of magic.

Vertigo 232 Art Gallery
232 North Market Street 
(316) 264-2450

Event: "SPRING CLEANING ART SALE"

Event Details: March 6, 5-9 p.m.

VERTIGO 232 ART GALLERY
232 N MARKET, WICHITA KS
SPRING CLEANING 3RD ANNUAL 2026
Art Show and Sale !
OPENING FINAL FRIDAY FE8 27 ,5-9PM
FIRST FRIDAY MARCH 6, 5-9PM
SATURDAY MARCH 7, 11-5PM
Artists put
OLDER ARTWORK up for SALE !
Great prices for collectors and for your enjoyment !
and Help local Artist's!

 

Future Dates

The majority of the galleries that currently participate in Final Friday have announced plans to shift their monthly event to First Friday, beginning in September. Since there is no "governing body" that oversees Final Friday, Downtown Wichita generally takes direction from what the majority of the local galleries wish to do. As of now, Downtown Wichita plans to transition the Final Friday calendar to First Friday beginning in September as well. In order to make this transition as seamless as possible, the usual listing and interactive map for both the August Final Friday (August 30) and September First Friday (September 6) will be created.

Mark your calendars for the following 2019 First Friday dates to never miss an event:

  • September 6
  • October 4
  • November 1
  • December 6

Submit Your Event

Are you an artist or gallery owner interested in being included on the First Friday list? Contact us for more information. Since there is no designated organizing body for First Friday, all participating venues are required to do their own marketing and advertising. Downtown Wichita does provide a listing on our website of all venues that are participating for the general public and visitors to use.

Submit your Final Friday exhibit info no less than one week prior to the event in the following format to be listed on the Downtown Wichita website. Fill-out the form below or email your submission to megan@downtownwichita.org.