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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First Friday April 5 Events

Art House 310
310 South Laura Street 

Title of Exhibition: Art House 310 First Friday – Dennis McPhail & Jason Crile

Featured Artists: Dennis McPhail & Jason Crile

Description: 

Art House 310 First Friday – Dennis McPhail & Jason Crile
Opening Reception | First Friday April 5th, 2024 | 6-10pm

This event is free to attend and open to the public. Show hangs through April 21st, 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: Come see us at Artists In Old Town Studios in the back of Gallery 12, 412 East Douglas in Wichita Kansas for First Friday. April 5, 2024, 6 to 8 p.m.

Check out the Gallery XII wonderful artists.

Exhibition Hours: 6 to 9 p.m.

CASA of Sedgwick County
2624 East Central Avenue 
(316) 866-2920

Title of Exhibition: Mural Showcase & Open House

Featured Artist: Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc.

Business Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Event Description: Join us for a showcase celebrating the vibrant collaboration between Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc. and CASA of Sedgwick County! 

The beautiful mural created from the passion and dedication of Sigma Psi Zeta's talented members, serves as a testament to the shared values and missions of both organizations. With brushstrokes infused with empathy and purpose, the mural intertwines CASA's unwavering commitment to advocating for abused and neglected children with Sigma Psi Zeta's philanthropic efforts to combat violence against womxn.

Through a fusion of artistry and advocacy, this mural transcends boundaries, sparking conversations, and igniting change. Join us as we celebrate the profound impact of unity, compassion, and community, embodied in every stroke of paint upon the canvas. Together, let us honor the resilience of those we serve and reaffirm our collective dedication to creating a world free from harm and injustice.

Don't miss this opportunity to witness artistry in action and to stand in solidarity with Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc. and CASA of Sedgwick County as we continue to champion the voices of the vulnerable and strive for a brighter, more equitable future for all.

GALLERY XII
412 East Douglas Avenue 

Title of Exhibition: Gallery 12 First Friday Opening Reception

Featured Artists: Gwen Rose

Exhibition Hours: 5-9 pm

Full display: Through April 27th

Opening Reception for Gallery 12 color pencil artist Gwen Rose. Also showing will be consignment ceramist Eugene Stucky. Live music will be performed by Victor & Levi Rose.

Artist Statement:
Nature and math are the main inspirations for my art. Studying and working with the patterns, colors, and shapes found in nature intrigues me. Patterns explored in math also interest me, including number patterns, tessellations, the Fibonacci series and fractals. I like to intertwine mathematical and natural patterns in my work.

Each work starts with an observational realistic drawing from nature. In nature, plants, animals, insects and landscapes are filled with visual patterns. Sometimes the patterns are quite complex, other times simple and bold. Using shapes and patterns from the realistic images, I rearrange and abstract them.

Brilliant colors in the natural world have always attracted me. There are high chroma colors in the sunrise and sunset, in the flowers of many plants, on the feathers of birds and the bodies of insects. We see warm colored flowers surrounded by cool colored leaves. A flower will show subtle variations of color and value as light plays on its surface. A sunset reflected in a lake is a luminous visual experience as light shimmers blindingly off the water. These views are some of the inspirations for my work.

I became interested in art in junior high when I had an inspiring art teacher. At that point I knew I would create art my entire life. I have been a practicing artist for many years, earning two bachelor's degrees and a master's degree. I've also had the good fortune to be married to an artist. Teaching art in public schools was my occupation for thirty years. Working daily on my art, I create artworks with colored pencil and with acrylic paint.

Harvester Arts
215 Washington North 
(316) 530-2203

Featured Artist: Micala Gingrich Gaylord

Title of Exhibition: Senses

Event Description: When felt, heard, touched, tasted and seen, we are able to create space for a body and an experience. This collection of works represents my way of arriving to feelings as a sculptor and how taking up space can become shape and condense into objects. The use of technology to invite participants to become part of the work allows their senses and mine to intermingle.

Exhibition Hours: 3-6 p.m.

Full Exhibition Date: April 5th - 26th

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

Featured Artist: Noelle Schumann

A little bit about the artist:

Art for me is a mechanism for connection with peers and strangers alike. Navigating and networking in the art world can be daunting and convoluted, but I have met some of my favorite people and experienced some of my favorite days while collaborating with other artists. Currently enrolled at Kansas State University, I use art as an outlet for creative expression and communication. I wish to pursue art and art outreach in my future, even in tandem with post-graduation employment. Having lived in Manhattan, KS for 3 years now, it has become clear to me that I need to provide, share, and experience art in some capacity to continue to lead a rich life. As far as the inspiration for the art, it depends on my goal for the piece. If I want to challenge myself with detail and color-- realistic oil paintings. I will branch out from this realm when curiosity drives me to investigate landscapes in oil or acrylic, graphic watercolor, or abstracted designs. Murals and larger commissions satisfy my desire to connect and collaborate with others.

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

Featured Artist: Dan Chaffee

Title of Exhibition: "Ambient Light" - Dan Chaffee

Opening Reception: 5:30 – 9:00 p.m., Friday, April 5

This solo-exhibition will feature artworks by artist, Dan Chaffee!
We hope you will join us for our opening reception on First Friday, April 5th from 5:30pm – 9:00pm!

On Display: April 5th - April 27th, 2024

Salcedo Arts
367 N. Elizabeth St, Wichita, Ks. 67203 

Title of Exhibition: Beginnings

Featured Artist: Kathleen Salcedo Beal 

Acrylic Fluid Art

Standard Issue Co.
924 East Douglas Avenue 
(316) 364-4958

Featured Artist: Michael Davenport

Event hours: 6 to 9 p.m.

Come and stop by Standard Issue for First Friday on April 5th! Our artist spotlight this month is Michael Davenport and we are excited for everyone to see his artwork!

Wichita Wagyu will be bringing you the tasty meats, DJ Magnum will be bringing the tunes, and we will have snacks and drinks.

It’s going to be a great time!
We can’t wait to see you all!

The Commerce Club
150 North Main 
(316) 600-4444

Featured Artists: Kevin Kelly, Tim Stone, Taylor McQueary, Matthew Hilyard

Title of Exhibit: HEARTBEAT Creative Experience

Exhibit Hours: 5 to 10 p.m., April 5

Join us at the Commerce Club @ the National for a night filled with excitement. Bringing together a set of diverse talents from the world's of art, culinary, hospiatlity, music, and content; HEARTBEAT is programmed to encompass all five of your senses.

Schedule:

5:30 p.m. - Event Start Time

6 p.m. - Artist Panel (Kevin Kelly, Tim Stone, Taylor McQueary, Matthew Hilyard; Moderated by Vivian Zavataro)

7 to 10 p.m. - Activations: Live Music (DJ & LIVE BAND), Live Painting, Professional Photo Booth (Photo Studio), Live Chef, Craft Cocktails, Interactive Art Exhibits

Get tickets using the link below.

More info to be announced over the coming week.

There will be a cash bar at the event serving craft cocktails, beer, and wine. Must have a valid ID to be served. Must be 21+ to attend, refunds will not be provided without proper reasoning.

QUESTIONS: work@thenationalwichita.com

 

The Enchanted Mermaid at Muse Meridian
3201 East Douglas Avenue 
(316) 796-5383

Featured Artist: Addie Wise

Exhibition Hours: 6-9 p.m.

Artisan pop up market at Muse Meridian featuring charcoal drawings by Addie Wise.

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

Title of Exhibition: LOOP DE LOOP - A NIGHT OF EXPERIMENTATION!

Featured Artist: Mark Walker

Reception: Final Friday, April 5, 2024

Exhibition Hours: 5 to 9 p.m.

LOOP DE LOOP - A NIGHT OF EXPERIMENTATION! :SOLO EXHIBIT : COLLECTION OF MARK WALKER ASSEMBLAGE AND PHOTO ART ARRANGED INTO AN ART INSTALLATION WITH SPECIAL LIGHTING. .VIEWING CAN BE DONE WITH USE OF PHONE FLASHLIGHT .. ALSO SPECIAL SURREAL SYFI SHORT FILM WITH LIVE THEREMIN SOUNDS AT 7:30PM.

White Crow Cider Company
1236 East Waterman Street 

Featured Artist: Alexandria Olthoff

Exhibition Hours: Thus 3-9, Fri. 3-10, Sat 12-10, Sun 12-5

Event Description: Gather your friends, grab a cider, and enjoy the colorful artwork by local artist Alexandria Olthoff.

Upcoming Event: April 5

The next First Friday event will take place on Friday, April 5. 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:

  • June 7
  • July 5
  • August 9
  • 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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