A community-wide celebration

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 7 to 9 p.m. 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 across the city 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.

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September 6 Events

Art House 310
310 South Laura Street 

Title of Exhibition: Five Artists Show

Participating Artists:

  • MATTHEW HILYARD
  • CLINTON WILLIS
  • DAVID PETTY
  • JEREMY WILLIAMS
  • TIMOTHY REAMS

Description: 

Art House 310 First Friday – Five Artists Show
Opening Reception | First Friday September 6th, 2024 | 6-10pm

This event is free to attend and open to the public. Show hangs through September 22nd, 2024. Art House 310 is located at 310 S. Laura. Two blocks SE of Douglas & Washington in downtown Wichita.

Artists in Old Town Studios
412 East Douglas Avenue 
(316) 267-5915

Featured Artists: Studio Artists

Title of Exhibition: Studio Artists

Event Description: Studio artists will be open. Come see us at Artists In Old Town Studios in the back of Gallery 12, 412 East Douglas in Wichita Kansas for First Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. We hope to see you. 

Check out all of the artworks at Gallery XII too.

Exhibition Hours: 6 to 8 p.m.

Bohemia Healing Spa
611 West Douglas Avenue 
(316) 262-7888

Title of Exhibition: "My Name is Color and I'm a Fool"

Featured Artist: Jimena Raux, @color_foolness on Instagram

Exhibition Hours: 7 to 9 p.m.

Event description: Jimena was born in Peru but quicky made Wichita her home after moving here at 12 years old. Jimena is currently a senior at WSU and working as a Photographer, she loves learning about about other areas of art. Specializing in print making and relief carvings, Jimena describes her art as modernizing old concepts, making a fantasy world and showing my experiences as a young artist. Come share in the enthusiasm of @color_foolness Wichita!

Create Space ICT
11924 W. Taft 

Event: Generations:Inherited Imagination

Featured Artists: Aubrey Burnett, Tami Drake, Piper Burnett

Exhibit hours: 5-8 p.m., Friday, September 6

Event Description: Grandmother-Mother-Daughter—three generations of women artists displaying their creative work together.

 

Envision Arts Gallery
801 East Douglas Avenue 
(316) 440-1699

Title of exhibit: CONNECTION THROUGH CREATIVITY

Event: First Friday, September 6th, 5 to 8 p.m.

This exhibition showcases artwork created by individuals supported by The Looking Glass. You are invited to immerse yourself in these diverse expressions of unique journeys, artistic visions, and courageous explorations of new possibilities. This art exhibition serves as an ongoing platform to honor and celebrate the creative achievement of the individuals supported by The Looking Glass.

First Friday Pop Up Markets at Hopping Gnome Brewing Company
1719 East Victor Street 
(316) 771-2110

Title: First Friday Pop Up Markets at Hopping Gnome Brewing Company

Welcome to our First Friday Series of Pop Up Markets at the all new Hopping Gnome Brewing! Hopping Gnome Brews, a delish food truck favorite, local artisans & small businesses — you name it, its there!

From 5 to 8 p.m. at 1719 East Victor Street Wichita, Ks.

Last event: October 4th

GALLERY XII
412 East Douglas Avenue 

Title of Exhibition: Nature's Grace

Featured Artists: Painter Bob Neace & Sculptor Kirk Brown

Exhibition Hours: 6-9 pm

Full display: September 6 to 30th

"Nature's Grace," First Friday of September 6th is our opening reception for featured artist Bob Neace. 
Also exhibiting is local sculptor Kirk Brown. 
The reception will be from 6 - 9 pm. 

Normal Gallery 12 hours are Tuesday to Saturday from Noon to 6 pm.

Gallery Member Bob Neace is an accomplished Acrylic Painter specializing in Kansas Landscapes.

Bob & Kirk's art works will be on display for the month of September till the 30th.

Harvester Arts
189 N Market St 
(316) 530-2203

Title of Exhibition: Kay's Kritters

Featured Artist: Kay Ferris

Full Exhibition Date: All of September

Join us at Harvester Arts in September to celebrate the whimsical art of Kay Ferris, an 82 year old illustrator with a vast collection of extraordinary creatures. "Kay's Kritters" will feature a wide assortment of her imaginative prints and an enormous throng of her “Lovies" - stuffed animals with crocheted skirts that Kay donates to mothers and children in need. The exhibition will also highlight her life story and her dedication to making the world a better place through art and creation. We hope to see you there!

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

Featured Artist: Alexandria Olthoff

Title of exhibit: Alikat Art by Alexandria 

On display through September 30th.

Grab a beer and support local art!

Inspiration: Animals have always held a special place in my soul, real or mythical, they fascinate & inspire me endlessly. While animals are a central theme in my art, my creative process is also a vehicle for navigating difficult emotions & challenging times, both personal and in the world.

Newman University (Steckline Gallery)
3100 McCormick Street 
(316) 942-4291

Title of Exhibition: "Find & Explore"

Featured Artist: Michael K Davenport

Exhibition Hours: 5-7 p.m.

On display through September 27th.

Event Description:

Steckline Gallery will present "Find & Explore" by Michael K. Davenport during a First Friday exhibition from 5-7 p.m., Sept. 6, at Newman University.

"Find & Explore" showcases Davenport's work, from graphic design and printmaking to realism-themed illustrations.

"In a world saturated with imagery, standing out requires a blend of creativity, strategy and a touch of the extraordinary," Davenport said.

Davenport holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in printmaking from Wichita State University. He has more than a decade of professional experience in graphic design and helps clients transform their vision into visual masterpieces. 

"Find & Explore" will be on display Sept. 5 - Sept. 27. Davenport will be on campus Sept. 5 from noon to 1 p.m. for a discussion session, known as Art for Lunch, which includes a conversation with the artist and pizza lunch for Newman students. All events are free and open to the public.

The Steckline Gallery is located inside the De Mattias Fine Arts Center on the Newman campus, 3100 McCormick. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointment. For more information, email Director of Steckline Gallery Emily Ritter at rittere@newmanu.edu.

Pop-Up Art Market at The Phoenix
145 N. Wabash Ave. 

Event: First Friday Pop-Up Art Market at The Phoenix

Featured Artist: Maureen Peterson, LeRoy Clark, and Stella Hankins

Time: 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, September 6

Enjoy live music and mocktails in a family-friendly environment while perusing our inaugural Pop-Up Art Market! 

The Phoenix is a sober active community providing free events and programs to anyone with 48 hours of sobriety. Whether you are in recovery, choose to live a sober life, are sober curious, or are an ally, we welcome you to join our ever-growing community.

Reuben Saunders Gallery
3215 East Douglas Avenue 
(316) 682-1481

Exhibition Title: "All In A Day's Work" - Michael McCaffrey

Featured Artist: Michael McCaffrey

Event: First Friday, September 6th, from 5 to 8 p.m.

This solo-exhibition will feature artworks by regional artist, Michael McCaffrey!

"Several years ago, I returned home to the house where I grew up. Since that time, I have been creating paintings, drawings, and photographs of my 80-year-old father. My recent work strives to balance perceived form with painterly invention developed during the painting process. My color wobbles between bright synthetic hues representative of computer monitors to neutrals that I associate more frequently with Kansas, my father, and his home. I grow attached to a painting process that oscillates between accurate visual representation and invented abstract forms. Shapes come together, forms materialize….then fall apart. As this process unfolds I desire to create a layered accumulation of paint and memories, a woven tapestry that captures a deeper and holistic view of my subjects. I hope to explore the transformation between invention and perception. Often, I feel I fall short of my goal. However, I do believe the record of my effort reverberates with its own psychological strength.

I hope to capture the truth of my father as he is now, because, as my father is fond of saying “The truth is the truth changes”." - McCaffrey

Riney Fine Arts Gallery
2100 W. University Ave 

Title of Exhibit: "James Gross: 50 Years 1974-2024"

Featured Artist: Jame Gross

Event Details: Opening reception First Friday Sept 6, 5 - 7 pm

Full Exhibition: September 6 to 28, 2024

The Riney Fine Arts Gallery is back and better than ever! Join us for our first exhibit in the newly renovated space where we will host a First Friday gallery reception for the exhibition, James Gross: 50 Years 1974 - 2024 Sept. 6th from 5-7 p.m.

The show will be on display in the Riney Fine Arts Gallery until Sept 28th. Visit our website at RineyGallery.com.

For more information on this event or other Fine Arts events, please contact the Fine Arts Box Office at 316-295-5677 or finearts@friends.edu.

The Enchanted Mermaid at Muse Meridian
301 S Meridian Ave 
(316) 796-5383

Featured artist: Melissa Long Wear

Event Hours: 6-9 p.m.

The Enchanted Mermaid brings you First Friday Sunflower District Artisan Pop-Up Market @ Muse Meridian. Come shop from a variety of local artists and artisan handmade crafters! We'll also have face painting and henna tattoos by The Enchanted Mermaid, food trucks, Fun for the whole family!

White Crow Cider Company
1236 East Waterman Street 

Featured Artist: Jason Crile

Title of Exhibition: The New Old: Hocus Focus Photography Showcase

Event hours: 5 to 8 p.m.

On Display through September 29th.

Grab a cider and check out the new images and materials from local artist Jason Crile of Hocus Focus Photography.

Next Event: September 6

The next First Friday event will take place on Friday, September 6. A list of participating venues will be available on this webpage one week prior to the event. Mark your calendars for the following 2024 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 First 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 info@downtownwichita.org.

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