Event: Art House 310 First Friday – Josh Bethel & Kevin Hansen

Date: May 1 from 6 to 10 p.m.

Event Description:
Art House 310 presents a First Friday opening reception featuring artists Josh Bethel and Kevin Hansen. This free event is open to the public, with the exhibition on view through May 24, 2026.

Josh Bethel, also known as JRB5, is a Wichita-based artist and podcast host whose work is a vibrant menagerie of surreal scenes and bizarre creatures. His pieces are rich with symbolism and invite viewers into imaginative worlds where the unexpected becomes the norm. Alongside his visual art practice, Bethel co-hosts the Art Assault Podcast with Kevin Hansen, where they create live paintings while interviewing guests, blending conversation and creativity into a dynamic, collaborative experience.

Kevin Hansen is an artist driven by spontaneity and audience interaction, often creating work live in unconventional spaces—from podcast studios to sidewalks. His process is intuitive and layered, building imagery through color, shape, and energy gathered from those around him. Hansen’s work reflects a deep commitment to creativity as a shared, accessible experience, encouraging others to explore their own artistic potential.

Art House 310 is located at 310 S. Laura, two blocks southeast of Douglas and Washington in downtown Wichita. Regular gallery hours during the exhibition are typically Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

Event: First Friday at CityArts

Date: May 1 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Featured exhibitions:
• THE WORK OF ART: Two Years of Artists' Stories from The SHOUT
• THE ART OF CRITICISM: Selections from The SHOUT
• Ha! Mixed Media Works by Greg Turner and Lauren Fitzgerald
• MY JOURNEY THROUGH FILM by Brian Gray

Event description: First Friday at CityArts features four new exhibitions highlighting a range of creative voices and perspectives. From artist storytelling and critical exploration to mixed media works and photography, this evening offers an engaging look at contemporary artistic expression across multiple disciplines.

Event: Memories Time Remembered | First Friday Opening Reception at Gallery 12

Date: May 1 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Featured Artists: Jan Hodge and Casey TZ Smith

Event Description:
Memories Time Remembered is the First Friday opening reception for painter Jan Hodge and ceramic artist Casey TZ Smith at Gallery 12.

Jan Hodge is a contemporary realist painter focused on light mood and the emotional resonance of place. Working primarily in oil with select works in acrylic her practice is rooted in close observation and technical precision. Her work emphasizes atmosphere and the subtle interplay of light creating compositions that are both visually grounded and quietly evocative.

Drawing inspiration from rural landscapes and lived environments she explores themes of memory passage of time and a deep sense of place. Through disciplined composition and a refined approach to color her paintings balance clarity of form with a nuanced contemplative mood.

While grounded in realism her work extends beyond direct representation using light and tone to suggest narrative and emotional depth. Each painting reflects a commitment to craftsmanship and restraint offering viewers a space for reflection within familiar yet deeply personal imagery.

Her work appeals to collectors who value technical skill paired with emotional subtlety and who are drawn to imagery that speaks to both permanence and change within the American landscape.

Also exhibiting is ceramic artist Casey TZ Smith whose work complements the exhibition through explorations of form texture and material presence.

Jan Hodge’s exhibition will be on view through May 30. A Final Friday closing reception will be held on May 29 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Event: Many Minis | Featured Artist Taylor McQueary at Hopping Gnome Brewing.

Date: May 1 from 5 to 10 p.m.

Event Description:
Many Minis highlights the work of featured artist Taylor McQueary in an exhibition centered on the creative process itself. The collection reflects an appreciation for making things from start to finish emphasizing the evolution of ideas as they become finished works of art.

McQueary’s practice is rooted in exploration and craftsmanship with each piece offering a glimpse into the stages of artistic development. The exhibition invites visitors to experience art not only as a final product but as an ongoing process of inspiration and creation.

Event: "The World at Night" by Babak Tafreshi at Maven Gallery

Date: May 1 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Event Description:
This exhibition features The World at Night by Babak Tafreshi at Maven Gallery.

Babak Tafreshi was an early pioneer in astrophotography as he began merging art and science to illuminate the night sky through the camera lens. As Tafreshi states I believe there are four elements to a successful image art technique moment and story.

His ongoing project The World at Night places celestial beauty alongside Earth’s landmarks reconnecting viewers to the natural world while uniting cultures through a shared wonder for the sky above.

Event: "Walks with Joy"

Date and Time: May 1 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Featured artist: Rebekah Strickbine

Event description: This exhibition presents a collection of over 40 hand-drawn and hand-painted illustrations that explore both the little things and the big things in life. Through an immersive and engaging visual experience, the work reflects on themes of joy, grief, fear, loneliness, connection and healing.

Blending emotional depth with approachable imagery, the artist captures the full spectrum of human experience—embracing the beautiful, the painful and everything in between. Designed to resonate with viewers of all ages, the exhibition invites reflection, empathy and a deeper appreciation for the shared moments that shape our lives.

Event: Borderland: New Landscape Paintings by Jason Needham at Reuben Saunders Gallery

Date: May 1 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Event Description:
This solo exhibition features new paintings by Jason Needham at Reuben Saunders Gallery.

Jason Needham is a Kansas City based painter whose work draws from the traditions of Impressionism Post-Impressionism and early American modernism. Influenced by artists such as David Hockney Neil Welliver Lois Dodd and Marsden Hartley Needham reinterprets these historical approaches through a contemporary lens.

His paintings focus on familiar subjects including interiors still lifes and overlooked landscapes. Through vibrant color and careful observation he transforms everyday scenes into studies of light perception and atmosphere. His work balances intention and spontaneity allowing brushwork and gesture to remain visible while forming cohesive compositions.

Needham approaches painting as both observation and reflection inviting viewers to reconsider ordinary spaces through a heightened sense of attention and visual depth.

Event: Commerce Collective at Commerce Club

Date: May 1 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Featured Exhibitions: Works by Aida Bell, Christine Emond, Domonique Joiner and Serena Salerno.

Event Description:
Experience an evening of bold creativity and vibrant expression at Commerce Collective held at Commerce Club.

This curated showcase features an inspiring lineup of artists each bringing a unique perspective and style. From striking visual work to immersive pieces the exhibition invites exploration of art that sparks conversation and captures imagination.

Enjoy live music by Harrison Steele while engaging with a dynamic art filled atmosphere designed for collectors creatives and visitors alike. Come for the art and stay for the experience.

Event: Crafty Fake Baker Stacey Simpson at The Enchanted Mermaid

Date: May 1 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Event Description:
This immersive exhibition features Crafty Fake Baker by Stacey Simpson at The Enchanted Mermaid.

Immerse yourself in a world of magical treats with handmade fake bakery creations by Stacey Simpson. These playful works look so real you want to eat them and resemble pastries from the most luxurious French bakeries. Made with magical ingredients these pieces are intended for display and delight rather than consumption.

Stop in to experience a whimsical celebration of sweetness illusion and creativity.

Event: First Friday at Vertigo 232 Art Gallery

Date: Open April 24 through May 1 from 5 to 9 p.m.

Featured exhibition: "Creative Expression"

Featured artists: Ric Dunwoody, Marissa Kucharek, Denise Jackson Simon, Tara Hufford Walker, Kelly Rundell, Collin Allen, Derek Miller, Morgan Guelich, Dylan Seeney, Beverly Yowell, Aubrey Burnett, Steve Nicholson, Leigh Wallace, Tom McGuire, Maro Salerno, Brenda Vargas, Margaret Sweeton, Jim Phillips, Jason Crile, Bart Wilcox, Steve Fairchild, Malissa K Long, Mark S Walker, Jim Simpson, Abraham Sebastian, Dan Welty, Ernie Kind, Ed Lanston, Lyric Monet, Mellissa Slates, Arlo Walker, Mystic Ross and Steve Fairchild

Event description: First Friday at Vertigo 232 Art Gallery features "Creative Expression," a dynamic group exhibition showcasing a wide range of artistic voices and media. The show brings together visual art, poetry and sound in a single immersive gallery experience centered on diversity of expression and creative form.