Original article by Eliana Martinez Shapasnikoff for Wichita Mom
I love art galleries! There you can find pieces by local and contemporary artists, art galleries are bridges between the artists and you. I love when I feel connected to a piece and I can look for the artist on Facebook or Instagram and I can share with them what I felt and thought about their work.
First Fridays in Wichita
One of my favorite events in Wichita is First Friday Gallery Crawl. On the first Friday of each month, not only the participant galleries have their doors open for extended hours but also it’s the time for exhibit openings. During exhibit openings, you have the opportunity to meet the artists, ask them questions, or just have a conversation with them as you would with your neighbor, isn’t this amazing? Also, who doesn’t love to walk in Downtown Wichita on a Friday afternoon?
Another good time to visit Wichita Art Galleries is Saturday mornings, especially if you are looking for a tour. Art galleries usually have reduced hours, but most of them also open by appointment, so it’s always a good idea to check the gallery’s site and social media before visiting. In this article, I will share with you my favorite art galleries in town, in any order.
Mulberry Art Gallery 120 E 1st St N, Wichita, KS 67202
“Where art and culture spark conversation and grow” as you can read in their social media accounts. And I can say, it’s true. If you visit them, on the second floor of “Revolutsia”, you will meet his owner, Anthony, who is proud to share his vision and always open to welcome new artists. Mulberry Gallery has a strong focus on black artists, artists of color, and artists historically underrepresented. You can check the Mulberry Art Gallery site or call before visiting.
Infinity Art Glass 120 N Main St, Benton, KS 67017
You can find this art gallery and artist studio just outside the limits of the City of Wichita. I loved not only the art but also the fact that Scott, artist and owner, showed us his workspace: there is something about fire and glass that is so powerful and moving! Another thing that I really loved was how the artist repurposed an old building to create a beautiful and welcoming space. In the exhibit room, besides the pieces of art, you can see the pictures showing the history of the place and also an old blacksmith tool found in the building. Check the Infinity Art Glass site and call before you visit.
Karg Art Glass 111 N Oliver Ave, Kechi, KS 67067
This art gallery is in the heart of the beautiful town of Kechi, just minutes away from the City of Wichita limits. Karg Art Glass feature glass artwork from different artists and the variety and amount of pieces is just amazing. The gallery is open every day of the week, with reduced hours on Sunday. They offer the opportunity to watch their glassblowers working, and to participate in glassblowing workshops: there are two workshops (“Blow Your Own Ornament” and “Blow Your Paperweight”) that are for ages 5 and up, a great opportunity to spark creativity and share with your family! Check the Karg Art Glass site and call before visiting or attending a workshop.
Gallery 12 412 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67202
I love this gallery located in the heart of Wichita. It’s an artists cooperative, featuring the artwork from their members and consignment artists in a warm and welcoming space. The gallery renews and rotates the pieces, and also offers new exhibits monthly, you can check their Summer Events on their page. They are open from Tuesday to Saturday with extended hours on First Friday Gallery Crawl. Please check the Gallery 12 site or call before visiting.
Prairie Vistas Gallery 3236 E Douglas Ave STE 100, Wichita, KS 67208
If you are a fan of landscape photography as I am, you should visit this gallery. The Flint Hills, College Hill Park, Bartlet Arboretum, the City of Wichita, and many more places showed to you beautifully through the vision of the artist behind the camera. This gallery is open by chance and by appointment, so please check the Prairie Vistas Gallery website and call before heading there.
Wrapping up!
In Wichita, you can enjoy art not only at museums and galleries, but also at regular businesses that open their doors and their hearts to feature the work of local artists. This is not a comprehensive list of art galleries, and you could probably have a different list of favorites, but I truly hope you enjoy mine. Invite a friend, take your partner on a date, visit with your family, or go by yourself: experience art your way and have a great time doing it!