Title of Exhibition: Alexandria Olthoff & Emily Ritter

Description: 

Art House 310 First Friday – Five Artists Show
Opening Reception | First Friday October 4, 2024 | 6-10pm

This event is free to attend and open to the public. Show hangs through October 20th, 2024. Art House 310 is located at 310 S. Laura. Two blocks SE of Douglas & Washington in downtown Wichita.

ALEXANDRIA OLTHOFF

Intro: My name is Alexandria or “Ali,” a local to the Wichita area but have experienced & lived in many other locations. I have been painting, drawing and creating for 16 plus years. 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.

I work across various mediums – acrylic, oil, watercolor, pencil & colored pencil, each offering its own unique language. The journey of learning and growth in my art is extremely fulfilling when I look back at how far I’ve come.

EMILY RITTER

Bio: Emily E. Ritter is an multidisciplinary artist currently living in Kansas. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art with an emphasis in Printmaking from Wichita State University in 2012. After graduating, Ritter was an Intern-in-Residence at Women’s Studio Workshop in Rosendale, NY in 2014. She received her Master’s of Fine Arts in Studio Art from Arizona State University in 2018. Ritter’s work explores various ecological themes, ranging from illustrations of native Kansas flora and fauna to sculptural narratives of potential ecological futures. She has exhibited her work locally, nationally, and internationally. Ritter is currently the Assistant Professor of Digital Design at Newman University in Wichita, KS.

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.

Featured artists: Mary McCoy, Landen Blake Swearingen, North End Wichita Historical Society

Exhibits

• "Neverwhere: Places You've Never Been" by mary McCoy in the Main Gallery
• "I Am Not Picasso" by Landen Blake Swearingen in the Main Hall Gallery
• "Historia de la Vida: Orar, Amar, Luchar" (History of Life: Pray, Love, Fight) presented by the North End Wichita Historical Society in the Balcony Gallery

Full Exhibition: September 13 through October 27

First Friday Reception October 4, 5-8 p.m.

Title of exhibit: "Reflections: Seeing Beyond the Surface"

Event: First Friday, Oct. 4, 5-9 p.m.

The Envision Arts Gallery in partnership with the US Department of Veterans Affairs is proud to present "Reflections: Seeing Beyond the Surface" on October 4th. 

This collaborative exhibit will showcase work created by Envision and Veteran artists and authors, creatively answering the question, "How you wish to be seen."

Join us for First Friday at the Envision Arts Gallery on October 4th from 5:00 - 9:00 PM to celebrate the opening of this exhibition.
Throughout the evening you can meet the artists, experience their artwork, and participate in art activities inspired by the exhibition.

First Friday, October 4th
5:00 - 9:00 PM
801 E. Douglas Ave, Suite 106
Wichita, Kansas 67202
The Envision Arts Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00-1:00 PM). 
Free and open to the public

On display October 4th - November 9th in the Patricia A. Peer Window Gallery and Main Gallery.

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

Don't miss the last First Friday Pop Up Market of the year 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 St., Wichita, KS.

Exhibit: "From Generation to Generation: A Mother + Daughter Art Show"

Featured Artists: Elaine Green & Julia Calloway

Opening reception, 5 to 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. On view until October 26 in the Riney Gallery, Riney Fine Arts Center.

This event is free and does not require a ticket.

Title of Exhibition: "Bug's World"

Featured Artist: Chiaw-Weai Loo

Reception Hours: 6-9 p.m. on Friday, October 4.

Full display: Through October 26th.

Experience a bugs' world through Chiaw-Weai's October exhibition. Her playful compositions of nature's most interesting creatures are put onto Xuan paper (aka rice paper) with ink and watercolor. 

Gallery XII will also be exhibiting the glasswork and enamel art of Robin Lies. 

Exhibit: "Asian Influence in Contemporary Western Art"

Featured Artists: Ann Resnick, Chiyoko Myose, Debra M Smith, Kevin Mullins, Marie Bukowski & Pam Bjork

Hours: Friday, Oct. 4, 6-8 p.m.

Description: Bright color, flattened perspectives and the use of negative space are all elements of Eastern art that were first reflected in Western art, in the middle of the 19th century. Those characteristics, along with many others, are still seen in the work of Western artists such as the six that make up this exhibit. In this impressive exhibition you’ll see the mastery of media such as collage, painting, installation, print making and assemblage.

On display through November 22nd.

Title of Exhibition: "Safeword: A Celebration of Sex, Sexuality, and Euphoria"

Featured Artists:

• Suspicious Glaze
• Shaila Roach
• Spencer Coco
• Jenna Ohlman
• Melissa Larue
• Megan Shelton
• Sarah Myose
• Micala Gingrich-Gaylord
• Anri
• Karis Whitak
• Lindsey Kernodle
• Lydia Humphreys
• Juli Vanh Saga

Full Exhibition Date: Through October 25

MUST BE 18+ TO ATTEND

Safeword: A Celebration of Sex, Sexuality and Euphoria

Step into a bold, unapologetic space where art and activism intersect. In a world that often cloaks human sexuality in shame, Safeword is here to challenge the narrative. This adults-only, sex-positive art exhibition is more than just a display; it's a declaration of freedom, an embrace of intersectionality, and a celebration of the vibrant spectrum of human sexuality.

Safeword is born from the desire to defy oppression and celebrate diversity. Through a curated collection of artwork, we aim to uplift and amplify the voices of queer, BIPOC, trans, and female-identifying artists. This exhibition is a visual journey of pleasure, acceptance, and community—a space where every visitor can explore and honor their authentic selves.

Join us at Harvester Arts in October and enjoy where art becomes a catalyst for change. Your attendance supports not only the artists but also vital community organizations dedicated to sexual health and empowerment.

What to Expect:

- Thought-provoking Artistic Displays of Sensual Euphoria
- Unapologetic Celebrations of Diversity and Inclusion
- Support for the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center, M-Care Health, and Camp Sunflower

Opening Reception: October 4th, 2024, 6-8pm

Where: Harvester Arts - 215 Washington N, Wichita, KS 67202 (Original Location)

Title of Exhibit: EMERGE 2024 - International Photography Exhibition

Featuring 15 highly talented emerging photographers!

Opening Reception: First Friday, Oct. 4, 7 - 9 p.m.

On display through Oct. 25, 2024

MWCP is featuring 15 highly talented emerging photographers for the EMERGE competition who have shown that they are indeed creating fresh and exciting new pictures. Congratulations to these outstanding artists.

Selected Artists: Phil Anderson, Wichita, KS; Alexi Berry, Wichita, KS; Mike Brunjes, Dunsmuir, CA; Megan DeLeon, Soquel, CA; Gary Friedlander, Buffalo Grove, IL; Yujin Jang, London, England, UK; Gabe Kolodner, Newtonville, MA; Lance Larson, Marquette, MI; Jianing Li, Toronto, Canada; Nate Matthews, Bartlett, IL; Carol Seline, St. Paul, MN; Linda Lea Smith, Bossier City, LA; Leanne Trivett S.; Johnson City, TN; Ethan Welch, Wichita, KS; Emily Wright, Fishers, IN.

Along with this prestigious exhibition opportunity for these outstanding emerging photographers, we will be giving one $200 EMERGE Fellowship Award to the selected competition winner.

We feel strongly about providing this exhibition opportunity to emerging photographers, building an exhibition record is a major aspect of building a career in art photography. This fellowship opportunity is geared toward photographers looking to launch their art careers through the exposure of exhibition.

New this year we are offering the selected artists photographs for sale online, to view and make a purchase please visit www.mwcponline.com.

One recipient will be awarded the $200 EMERGE Fellowship Award, and will receive one year artist representation at MWCP online. Award recipient to be announced on October 25.

Selected artists have their work featured in the exhibition and for sale online.

Exhibit at Mulberry Art Gallery: "We Are the Dreamers of the Dreams"

Description:
Artist Dominique Joiner explores the untold story of Roald Dahl's original "Charlie's Chocolate Boy" through vibrant, candy-inspired paintings. Opening on October 4, 2024, the exhibition brings to life a little-known black Charlie Bucket, challenging viewers to reconsider familiar narratives and examine representation in children's literature. Joiner aims to spark conversations about diversity in storytelling and the evolution of beloved characters, celebrating imagination and calling for more inclusive narratives.

The exhibition runs until November 18.

Exhibit at Meritrust Credit Union Gallery: Hope is Here: A Collaborative Exhibition
By Mulberry Art Gallery & Juniper Arts Academy

Description:
This impactful exhibition features works by youth and mentors, celebrating the power of community and creativity in fostering hope and healing through art. The collaboration showcases Mulberry Art Gallery's commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices and creating spaces for innovative exploration by Black artists and artists of color. Juniper Arts Academy contributes its expertise in providing fine arts education, mentorship, and social-emotional growth to youth in Kansas's foster care and juvenile justice systems. The exhibition runs from October 2024 through December 2024, offering a powerful testament to the transformative potential of art in community settings.

Gallery Hours: 11am-2pm, Monday-Friday.

Title of Exhibition: “Reclaimed: Exploring Empathy Through Gesture” by Scott Jones.

Opening Reception, Oct. 4 from 5-7 p.m.

Reclaimed: Exploring Empathy Through Gesture by Scott Jones

Scott Jones's work uses abstraction to explore emotional intelligence (EI), highlighting its role in developing genuine human connections, authentic self-expression, and resilience. In an era where technology mediates our interactions and shapes our perceptions of reality, EI enables us to interpret tone, intention, and emotions in these simplified forms of communication. Through the nuanced interaction with clay, he translates emotional experiences into tangible forms, capturing the essence of sensitivity and intimacy. This hands-on process allows him to engage with and develop emotional intelligence directly. Jones invites viewers to engage with and reflect on the material as a medium for understanding and expressing complex human emotions.

Exhibition dates:  October 3rd-25th 2024

Art for Lunch artist talk: Thursday, October 3rd 2024 12:00-1:00 pm 

Exhibition opening reception: Friday, October 4th, 2024 5:00-7:00 pm

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

Featured Artists

Time: 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, October 4

The Phoenix is hosting a FAMILY FRIENDLY First Friday Pop-Up Art Market! We will have artists set up to showcase and sell their unique handcrafted items. In addition, there will be live music, mocktails, light hors d'oeuvres, and a kid's art corner.

This is a Family Friendly event with kids activities. Please be prepared to sign youth waiver at the door. As always this event is free with 48hrs of sobriety.

Sign in using the website link below!

Exhibition Title: Wichita National Ceramics Invitational 2024

Featured Artist: Multiple Artists

• Ben Ahlvers
• Meg Beaudoin
• Nolan Baumgartner
• Sam Chung
• Bede Clarke
• Cary Esser
• Julia Galloway
• Chris Gustin
• Kenyon Hansen
• Doug Herren
• Trey Hill
• Randy Johnston
• Eva Kwong
• Justin Lambert
• Eiko Maeda
• Lorna Meaden
• Kirk Mangus
• Janina Myronowa
• Sam Scott
• Matt Towers

Event: October 4th, 2024 – Public Opening at RSG from 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Since the inception of the Craft National in 1946 to the Wichita National, ceramics have played an important role in establishing clay as art. From early visits by iconic clay artist Shoji Hamada, Betty Woodman, and Bernard Leach to later modern master like Peter Voulkos and Jun Kaneko, Wichita has been a central hub in the national clay picture. Reuben Saunders Gallery has been in the heart of the Wichita Art Community since 1978. With the reestablishment of the new Wichita Ceramics National, the tradition will be reborn and clay artists young and old will lift the show to new heights. A portion of all sales will be donated to Empty Bowls Wichita to help fight food insecurity!

Empty Bowls Project, an international, artist-driven, grassroots movement helps combat hunger. Ceramic artists from around the globe enlist communities to make bowls to raise food insecurity awareness and provide funding for food pantries.

JUDGE: Chris Staley
Well respected in his field, Chris Staley taught at WSU from 1985-1989. He then joined Penn State in 1990, earning Penn State’s Distinguished Professor award in 2008 and honored as the 2012-2013 Penn State laureate. He has participated on the school boards of the Archie Bray Foundation, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, and as a past president of NCECA. He is currently working on a book on life and art.

VISTING ARTIST: Lisa Orr
Lisa Orr is a professional potter and has been a student of ceramics for more than 40 years. After completing her MFA in 1993 at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, she received a Fulbright and an MAAA/NEA grant to continue her studies. Her work is shown in numerous public and private collections including the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, and the permanent collection of WOCEF in Korea.

Event: Friends University Student Showcase

Featured Artists: Cody Meraz, Reyna Meraz

Hours: Friday, Oct. 4, 5-7 p.m.

Description: Step into creativity at the First-Ever Student Showcase in the Riney Fine Arts Atrium! Join us on First Friday, October 4th, to experience the dynamic works of Cody Meraz (Studio Art) and Reyna Meraz (Graphic Design). Don’t miss this exciting celebration of art, design, and inspiration!

On display through October 25.

Event: Under the Sea Pop Up Artian at The Enchanted Mermaid in Old Town!

Event hours: 6-9 p.m.

Featured artist: Cathleen Stahmer

Event Hours: 6-10 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, live performances by Flow Foundry, and live bands & entertainment! Fun for the whole family!

Featured Artist: Lindsey McFarland

Event: Opening Reception from 6 to 9 p.m.

Lindsey McFarland is a self taught stippling artist based out of Wichita, Kansas. Each drawing is constructed carefully with thousands of dots, creating depth and texture to the drawing. Her artwork is inspired by the natural world, including human and animal anatomy, insects, plants… and a few of her favorite things; like a cup of coffee, the changing of seasons, and her four legged friends.

Since 2021 she has created over 30 customized pet portraits on a commission only base. The portraits are all done in ink pen using the stippling technique, encapsulating all of the precious little details and creating a lasting memory for her clients.

The Workroom will also have Craig Compton bringing the music! 

Title of Exhibition: "GET RAD - THE ART OF SKATEBOARDING"

Featured Artists: Various

Exhibition Hours: 5 to 9 p.m.

Another year of fantastic skateboard art! Last year 75 boards were on display. Come on Final Friday opening 5-9 p.m. for best chance to purchase the one you want!

Featured Artist: Drew Robinson

Grab a cider and check out the new images and materials from local artist Drew Robinson.

Event: WAM Nights: First Friday Field Trip

Enjoy Wichita’s First Friday art scene without the hassle of planning and parking! You will be joined by Kristin Beal and Mina Estrada of Harvester Arts as your guides around town. Start at WAM, then hop on a party bus to see what’s new at Harvester Arts and other galleries around town. The evening will be hosted by Harvester Arts staff Kristin Beal, Co-Founder and Executive Director, and Mina Estrada, Managing Director.

The tour begins and ends at the Wichita Art Museum. Free parking. Tour Highlights:
• Envision Arts
• The new Harvester Arts gallery space at The LUX
• First Friday Pop-Up Art Market at The Phoenix

$30 general public/$25 WAM members
Use the link below to get your tickets.

About WAM Nights: We’re open late on Fridays until 9 pm! Get your weekend started with after-hours access to the galleries and shopping in the Museum Store. WAM Nights include programs with artists, musicians, and performers–don’t miss your chance to see the art at WAM in a new way! The museum comes to life with local creatives during WAM Nights!

Title of Exhibition: "Retirement Odyssey"

Event hours: 5 to 7 p.m.

Event Description: 

"Retirement Odyssey," an exhibit of paintings by Scott Moser, M.D., professor emeritus at KU School of Medicine-Wichita, will open Friday, Oct. 4, with a First Friday reception from 5-7 p.m. in the William J. Reals Gallery of Art. Complimentary refreshments will be provided.

Dr. Moser, who was a full-time faculty member between 1998 and 2022, and served as associate dean for curriculum at KU School of Medicine-Wichita, shared the following statement: 

"Growing up in Manhattan, Kansas, I enjoyed a series of great art teachers, beginning in grade school and continuing through high school then college at K-State. Then I left for medical school, and a demanding career in medicine and medical education and family responsibilities—a life that seemed too busy to make room for painting. I always told myself I would return to my art when I retired but that didn’t happen until I received a Christmas gift from my son and his wife: acrylic painting lessons … and my odyssey began!

These paintings form a travelogue of my retirement adventures so far. They also document my development as an artist in acrylics. I anticipate some viewers will consider me more of an illustrator than an artist. I’m okay with that as I have admired the works of N.C. Wyeth and Norman Rockwell most of my life.

Perhaps, as you browse through this pictorial journal, you will be reminded of some of the adventures in your own life and not wait until retirement to start on an odyssey of your own. And, if you are already retired, perhaps this collection will inspire you to discover something new or to return to something you’ve always dreamed of doing."

The William J. Reals Gallery of Art at KU School of Medicine-Wichita is free and open to the public.

On display through November 30.