First Friday: February 2020
NOTO Art Center (935 N Kansas): Morris Art Gallery: "Azaleas: The Royalty of the Garden" - oil paintings by Hi Stockwell. Step inside the Morris Gallery and experience beauty in it's most purest, flawless form, from the eyes of artist Hi Stockwell. NOTO Featured Artist February: Michael Bradley. Michael Bradley is known for his work in clay but will be taking this opportunity to show various artist printmaking techniques. Serigraphy, etching, woodcut, calligraphy and letterpress prints will be on display that have been conceived, created and printed by Michael using both traditional and new ways of 'cutting a plate'. Outdoor Sculpture: "Bending Boundaries" - metal sculpture by Ptr Sponseller. This work has installed across the street to the north of the NOTO Arts Center. Made possible through funding and support by JEDO, ArtsConnect, and the NOTO Arts and Entertainment District, "Bending Boundaries" reflects NOTO's pushing of boundaries of all kinds. FFAW hours are 11a-8p. Find us on Instagram @notoartsandentertainmentdistrict.
STUDIO 831 (831 N Kansas): Our featured artist for February is Gweneth McClain. Her show is titled "Exploring the Kansas Landscape." For more than a year the artist has been creating drawings and paintings outdoors (plein aire) or in her studio. Come see the results of this concentrated study on First Friday February 7 or by appointment 785-224-5728. FFAW hours are 4-8:30p.
SouthWind Art Gallery (3074 SW 29th): Join us for the second annual Jane Stephens Memorial Watercolor! We invited some of our favorite watercolor artists to participate in this show honoring the late Jane Stephens of Topeka, a watercolorist known for her delightful bird paintings. More than two dozen midwestern artists are participating in the show, don't miss their work plus great food, drinks, and entertainment for the opening! FFAW hours are 43958. Find us on Instagram @southwindartgallery.
Stephen Smith Gallery (931 S Kansas): Nature’s glacial ice, weathered rock, sky, trees and branches are some of the inspirations for the gallery's February artists - Erica Iman (Kansas City, MO) and Karen Heuton (Grimes, IA). Both artists appreciate the representation of nature in their works, yet styles are uniquely different. Erica is both a sculptor and painter, working primarily in porcelain, clay and raw earth materials, such as powdered black iron. Many of her techniques come from mimicking nature’s processes such as freeze and thaw, extreme moisture and drought, and erosion. Karen's use of enhanced texture in landscapes and florals transform her paintings into tranquil spaces for the viewer, leading them to a sense of serenity and comfort. FFAW hours are 11am to 8pm. Find us on Instagram @StephenSmithGallery.
Mulvane Art Museum (1700 SW Jewell): Three new exhibits are opening at the Mulvane: the “Aeronautic Visual Art Program (AVAP)” includes visual documentation and site samples collected by launching aerostat sculptures into the thermosphere and is presented by Benjamin Wills, Catron Visiting Professor of Art at Washburn. Students studying contemporary art practices explore the local watershed, environmental integrity, sense of place and beauty of nature in "Reclamation." Paintings from the museum's permanent collection are featured in "Referential," which showcases the phenomena of artistic influence and highlights examples of visual connections and how they occurred. Refreshments served. FFAW hours are 5-7p. Find us on Instagram @mulvaneartmuseum.
KC Friends of Alvin Ailey Topeka @ the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library (1515 SW 10th): Start February off Right! First Friday Topeka Line Dancing with De Barker, February 7th, 6:30-8:00pm. EVERYONE IS WELCOME! Join #KC Friends of Alvin Ailey and "The Queen of Line Dancing" at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library for an explosion of dance; learn some of the classics and learn what's new! Sponsors include the Topeka Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and ArtsConnect.
Topeka Art Guild & Gallery (Fairlawn Plaza - west side): Add some color to your life on these gray winter days. Visit TAG gallery's all new exhibit; paintings, photography, textile art, and drawings. Our gift shop has unframed original art, cards, gourd art, glass art and jewelry. Featured artist is Susie Graber. She will show beautiful landscape country theme watercolors. Jefferson West High School art students exhibit their best works this month. The guild is a non-profit organization providing educational art opportunities for the community. The guild also offers scholarships to graduating seniors with an application deadline in April. Check with our gallery for these opportunities. Visit with our artists during the artwalk or during regular gallery hours, which are Wed-Sat from 11a-5p. FFAW hours are 5-8p. Find us on Instagram @Topeka-Art-Guild.
Creations of Hope Gallery (727 S Kansas): Come out to see Spenser Acker's beautiful artwork. "Spenser has been filling our driveway with his sidewalk chalk art for a number of years He makes patchworks of layered color and shapes, many of which are inspired by his passion for the weather. We take pictures of his work and place them in a variety of media. Like most artist he gets his inspiration from the world around him. He loves all things in nature. In addition to his chalk he also works with acrylics and uses a wide variety of different textures, beads, and canvas. He sees art in things most of us overlook. Spenser has limited communications skills and we feel he has found his voice in his art. He is on the spectrum and inspires us every day with his abilities. We are proud of him and his accomplishments." FFAW hours are Noon-8p. Find us on Instagram @creationsofhopegallery
NexLynx Gallery (123 SW 6th, 2nd Floor): View the mixed media paintings of Marie Plinsky. Starting in watercolor, Marie has enjoyed using other medias; charcoal, oil, acrylic and decorating gourds. Her newest artwork of mixed media uses acrylics, paper and fabric creating interesting textures. The annual Chocolate Walk is back! Our returning favorites are the chocolate waterfall and “Cocomotion” cocoa along with other tasty chocolate inspired treats. Then top it off with a selection of chocolate inspired beers and wines. FFAW hours are 5-8pm. Find us on Instagram @NexLynxGallery.
