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.

  Follow First Friday on Facebook

Upcoming: December 6

Events will populate here a week before the event.

Art House 310
310 South Laura Street 

Title of Exhibition: Art House 310 First Friday – Dominique Joiner & Brittany Stewart

Description: 

Art House 310 First Friday – Dominique Joiner & Brittany Stewart
Opening Reception | First Friday December 6th, 2024 | 6-10pm

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

DOMINIQUE JOINER

Dominique Joiner (b 1988 Wichita, Kansas) uses her chosen mediums of acrylic and oils to identify the experience of women in a male dominated society.

Dominique has observed the lives of many women from several walks of life and uses the influence of these women to relay her narrative. She uses the ideals of sensuality and affection to draw the viewer in and coaxes them to become more aware with riveting details and underlying messages. Dominique has a goal of pressing women to gain more ipseity, regardless of the rhetoric they are taught to the contrary.

Ipseity starts with awareness, the doorway to change. Many of the artist’s paintings directly depict the chosen problem, with no offer of a solution, forcing the viewer to digest and relate. The use of golden accents is meant to show a sense of majesty and divinity that women carry, regardless of the situation, be it vulnerable or powerful. As the gateway to life, women deserve to be viewed as such.

Dominique’s art will encourage individuals to search inwardly and come to peace with their feelings.

See more of Dominique’s work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/domiijo/ on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DomiiiJo/ and on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@domiijo

BRITTANY STEWART

A Wichita local and self taught, contemporary visual artist.

Overtime art became a gateway for self expression. My purpose as an artist is to explore around the human conditions, how we fit into the rest of the world. Quite frankly what makes us different and unique. We may never have it all figured out, but I’ll continue to stay reflective because I experience uncertainty and certainty within the same energy.

Withing my work I share my love for color, texture and shapes. My pieces are almost always Abstract and figure based. Understanding that our true portraits are much more than what we see with our own eyes. It’s a much deeper dive into who we are.

Throughout this series I focused on the various stages we may face as we go through life changes.

See more of Brittany’s work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belove_/ and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011454252295

www.ArtHouse310.com
Facebook | @ArtHouse310,  Instagram | @ArtHouse310, TikTok | @AngieAwesomePant

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.

GALLERY XII
412 East Douglas Avenue 

Title of Exhibition: "Terra Firma"

Featured Artist: Terra Firma

Reception Hours: 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6

Gallery 12 will be exhibiting the Paintings of Local Artist Jan Jensen for the months of December and January. Jan's opening reception will be held on First Friday December 6th from 6 - 9 pm. The exhibition will remain on view till January 29th. 

The title of her exhibition is "Terra Firma." 

Artist Statement "Terra Firma" I am drawn to these little spaces growing against all odds in an
inhospitible world, like so many situations in life such as the miracle of the birth of a baby and life
beginning in a tide pool. Is it luck that creates new life in an unlucky place - or has Mother Nature set aside
a small space for prosperity? Whatever the reason, we must be thankful these things happen. I call my
paintings "eco-paintings." Everywhere we look, if we look close enough, there are little gardens of
vegitation that will grow only in a particular place because the climate, soil, moisture and temperature is
the right mix of atmosphere to grow there, like plants that flourish on nurse logs, and dead leaves in rain
forests. Eco-gardens also prosper with tanacity and perserverance in arid places among stones and rocks
because there is just the right amount of soil and moisture to grow and in tide pools around oceans and
rivers. With our planet in peril, it's a small piece of the world that will not die and a promise for the future.

Along with Jan, Gallery 12 will be exhibiting the Ceramic Artworks of local ceramist Phyll Klima.

Regular gallery hours for December will be Tuesday-Saturday Noon to 6 pm. The gallery will close at 3 pm on the 24th and will be closed all day on the 25th and the 31st.

Normal Gallery 12 hours are Tuesday to Saturday Noon to 6 pm. The gallery is open and free to the public.

Pam's Artist Statement: 
The power and rhythm of the living land is my inspiration. I enjoy painting and drawing landscapes with a variety of media. Occasionally I use my own photos for reference, but I also find that imagination can be useful in composing landscapes. The variety of color, line and shape found in nature is as intriguing and as stimulating as a song or a poem. The vocabulary for these disciplines is quite similar. For example, the terms "composition", "rhythm" and "movement" apply to both music and art. It is through the visual representation of land and sky that I feel a connection to the world. Peace and joy can be found by trying to describe in two dimensions a vision of the real land.

Harvester Arts at The LUX
120 E 1st St N. 
(316) 530-2203

Exhibit: Artist Inc Alumni Showcase

Featured Artists: 40+ artists who have completed Artist Inc

Hours: Friday, Dec. 6, 6-8 p.m.

Join us for the opening reception of The Artist Inc Alumni Showcase, featuring around 40 artists who have completed the Artist Inc Program. Hope to see you there!

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

Title of exhibit: "The Sun is a Deadly Laser"

Featured artist: Brent Newton

On display through December 31st.

Cameras provide a much more interesting view of reality compared to the human eye. Space isn't empty; let me show you what's out there

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

Event: Family Friendly First Friday Pop-Up Art Market

Featured Artists: Maria Kirk, Sarah Price, Rebekah Franklin, and many more!

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

The Phoenix is hosting a First Friday Holiday Pop-Up Art Market. We will have over 20 artists set up to showcase and sell their unique, hand-crafted pieces just in time for the gift-giving season!

There will also be live music, mocktails, holiday treats, a kid's art corner and face-painting! Santa Clause will be making a stop between 6 and 7 p.m.

Sign in using the website link below!

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

Exhibition Title: "North And East" - Lawrence Artists Group Exhibition

Featured Artists: Group Exhibit

This exhibition will feature new artworks by a group of Lawrence artists!

We hope you will join us for our opening reception on First Friday, December 6th from 5:00pm – 8:00pm!

FEATURED ARTISTS:

-Ben Ahlvers
-Brian Horsch
-Danny Meisinger
-Diana Meisinger
-Molly Murphy
-Javy Ortis
-Rachael Sudlow
-Kathy Suprenant
-Jen Unekis
-Shantel Wright

Somewhere Works
235 N Emporia Avenue  

Event title: Rhythm and Hue

Featured Artist: Bill Goffrier, Tim Stone, Fernando Salazar, Jeni Doom, Heather Cartwright

Event Description:

Artists showcasing their work:
Painting by: Bill Goffrier
Photography by: Fernando Salazar
Mixed media and photography collage by: Jeni doom
Painting by: Tim Stone 
Paintings by: Heather Cartwright 
Music by: Sterling Gray

Charcuterie and wine complements of Somewhere Works music studio.

Founded in 2024 by the Midtopia Group in Wichita, Kansas, Somewhere Works is something new. It’s an innovative beacon for the city’s creative future. Designed as an open and welcoming hub for artistic expression, learning, and growth, this dynamic membership-driven space is redefining the creative culture of Wichita. Situated at 235 North Emporia Avenue in the heart of the city. Somewhere Works is a brand new Building community through Music by helping principled artists and music workers succeed. 

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

Featured Artist: Collette Childers

Featured artwork: Crochet For Ewe by Collette Childers

Event hours: 6-9 p.m.

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

Title of Exhibition: First Friday Holiday Flash ART Show

Featured Artists: Various

Exhibition Hours: 5 to 9 p.m.

First Friday Holiday Flash ART Show! Join us for a Holiday Art Exhibit with everything on SALE !!
Expect a wide variety of styles of Art from local and regional artists.

White Crow Cider Company
1236 East Waterman Street 

Featured Artist: Alexandria Olthoff

Grab a cider and enjoy the colorful artwork of local artist Alexandria Olthoff! 

Event time: Dec 6. from 3 to 10 p.m.

On display through December 29th.

Next Event: January 3

The next First Friday event will take place on Friday, Jan. 3. A list of participating venues will be available on this webpage one week prior to the event. Mark your calendars for the following 2024-2025 First Friday dates to never miss an event:

  • January 3
  • February 7
  • March 7
  • April 4

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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