First Friday: October 2019
NexLynx Gallery (123 SW 6th, 2nd Floor): Topeka photographer, Jessica Mays, specializes in what she calls impressionistic photography. Her often abstract and up-close view of the world shows ordinary subjects in extraordinary ways. After taking her photos to the next level with digital editing, Jessica found a whole new magical world of color, contrast, detail, and surprises. Each photo is carefully taken, then slowly edited to create a unique and intriguing piece of art. Fire up your taste buds and vote for your favorite chili in the highly popular Art Walk Chili Competition. FFAW hours are 5-8p. Find us on Instagram @NexLynxGallery.
Creations of Hope Gallery (727 S Kansas): Join the Creations of Hope Gallery in celebrating the work of Pamela Rees. Downtown is celebrating the fall weather with a chili walk - join us for vegetarian chili while you look at some great art! Pam Rees shares of her story: "Exploring art became a reality for me in 1997 when I took my first art class with Marty Marovich, learning the Old Masters style of oil painting. After painting mostly Kansas landscapes and the vast, ever changing Kansas skies for several years, I began to explore other art mediums. I have always been an avid gardener and over the past 30 years, created many perennial gardens on our farm near Lecompton. I love watching nature; birds, butterflies and the various pollinating insects as they forage the vegetables and blooming flowers for nectar. Spending time sitting in the shade of my front yard and listening to the bird songs, and watching so many different kinds of insects flitting from flower to flower is so relaxing for me. My yard and simple surroundings have provided me with continual inspiration for my art work using watercolor, mixed media collage and alcohol ink. My life has had its ups and downs and art has become a way to express my love of nature, allows me to relax and enjoy the creative moments and explore many new beginnings.” The exhibit will open Friday October 4th and be on display throughout the month. FFAW hours are 5-8p. Find us on Instagram @creationsofhopegallery.
Topeka Art Guild & Gallery (5331 SW 22nd Place - west side of Fairlawn Plaza Mall): The Topeka Art Guild is excited to feature a special Kansas artists exhibit from the permanent collection of the Sabatini Gallery of the library, donated by the art guild. Some of these artists were founders of the guild a hundred years ago, bringing art ideas from Europe to Kansas. The guild is proud to feature this exhibit along with their annual fall juried show about Kansas art. The member show is juried by Brad Le Duc, art educator at Seaman High School. Please join us for an exciting evening of art, food and drinks, west end of Fairlawn Mall. FFAW hours are 5-8p.
Brookwood Shopping Center (2709 SW 29th): Bounce house, face painting, balloon artist, and music! FFAW hours are 5-7p. Find us on Instagram @shopbrookwood.
Fire Me Up Ceramics & Fine Art Studios (1000 N Kansas): The Sage Art Gallery inside Fire Me Up Ceramics features a show called “The Appeal of Clay” from October 1-31. The gallery will host the Sabatini Art Gallery on the Go with a selection of artworks from Topeka Shawnee County Public Library’s permanent collection. Featured are a variety of ceramic styles, surfaces, clay bodies and firing methods. Clay is so appealing to the viewer and artist because of its versatility and the ability to have a continuous process of learning and exploration. On Oct 16 from 7-8p, there will be a Curators' Talk. Regular hours are Thurs-Fri from 1-5p and Sat from 11a-4p. FFAW hours are 1-9p.
Glaciers Edge Winery (1636 SE 85th Street - Wakarusa): We will have the tasting porch and patio ready for you to spend your October FFAW at the winery. Our featured artist will be musician Kirk Drager. Lago Vista Grill will be serving new menu items along with your favorites. Our featured culinary artist will be Mya Smith. Enjoy wine and slushies by the pour or a bottle while enjoying live music! Feel free to bring lawn chairs to enjoy our outside vineyard view! On Fridays we open at 3p! (Only alcohol produced at Glaciers Edge Winery is allowed on and/or able to be consumed on our property; guests consuming alcohol must be at least 21 years old .) We are on the south side of Topeka, 1.7 miles E of Topeka Blvd on 85th St. FFAW hours are 3-9p. Find us on Instagram @glaciersedge.wine.
Wolfe's Camera (635 S Kansas): Free chili tasting from 5p until it’s gone (…or 8 pm...whichever comes first). Check out all the great photos in Wolfe's Photo Decor Center. Get Jeff Jacobsen's new book "Tribute to Crimson and Blue.” See this wonderful table top book filled with amazing KU Athletics images made by Jeff. FFAW hours are 9a-8p.
STUDIO 831 (831 N Kansas): Anne Kufahl is our featured artist for October, The title of her exhibit is "Looking for Light." Her statement: "Looking for light and the relationship between line and color is what I want to convey in my art. For me, it is the line and color mingling with light that gives subjects their value. An unconscious feeling draws me to a composition which allows me to express it on canvas. I consider the painting completed when I feel the painting communicating that feeling back to me.” FFAW hours are 4-8:30p.
Topeka High (800 SW 10th, 3rd Floor): This month will be the first display of the year featuring student artwork. Media shown will cover all the topics taught at Topeka High from digital photography to sculpture. Featured this time as well will be Mr. Drinkard's world history students who created artwork as they have been learning world history. Enter on Western Street and head up to the 3rd floor to see amazing work from art & history students. FFAW hours are 5-7p.
Amused (907 N Kansas): Quantum Itineris MMXIX/L (The Journey So Far 2019/50). Every couple of years, owner and resident artist DeAna Morrison puts herself in the hot seat by being the featured artist. DeAna will be showing some of her favorite pieces as well as a few new additions. Come in and visit with her as she reflects on her half a century Journey So Far. (Did we mention she turns 50 this week?!) We will also have all nine studios open. Be sure to check out our newest addition: Foot Pool, a giant billiards table played with your feet and soccer balls! FFAW hours are 11a-9p. Find us on Instagram @amused_in_noto.
Stephen Smith Gallery (931 S Kansas): East meets Midwest with two fabulous artists from Virginia. Laura Edwards and Laurie Fields bring amazing modern expressionism through use of oils and mixed media. Laura describes her paintings as, “color driven atmospheric abstractions”. Intuitive; having no concrete reference, but evoke a familiar image. There seems to be a realistic image coming from the abstract painting; a painting within the painting. The paintings create an illusion; the painting you see and the one you imagine. The paintings in this exhibition are done in oils on a variety of materials; canvas, panels, and a paper produced from recycled polypropylene pellets. Laura works “wet on wet”, producing seamless fields of color within the format. Areas of the composition are drawn back into with Prismacolor pencil. FFAW hours are 11a-8p. Find us on Instagram @stephen_smith_gallery.
Absolute Design by Brenda (629 S Kansas): Brenda is whipping up her famous chili for your savoring delight! While you're here, enjoy 20% off our merchandise. See you there! FFAW hours are 5-8PM. Find us on Instagram @absolutedesignbybrenda.
Platform 785 Vintage Fashion (920 N Kansas - inside Onyx Salon & Wellness Spa): This month the Platform 785 vintage fashion pop-up boutique features authentic fashion of the 60's and 70's. The 60's ranged from Jackie to Janis, and the 70's from the Bradys to Disco Duck, so don't expect just “hippie” clothes! These are authentic vintage pieces but there will be a few newer '60's inspired' pieces that I just couldn't resist throwing in. We are inside Onyx Salon & Wellness Spa, just look for our hanging mannequin sign. We look forward to seeing you! FFAW hours are 4-8p. Find us on Instagram @platform785.
SOHO Interiors (3129 SW Huntoon): SOHO celebrates artist Lily Greene, a local high school student and Topeka native. Lily’s memorable first artwalk show was in 2017. Since then, she has shown at local businesses and the Topeka Public Library. Her October First Friday show will be an eclectic gathering of techniques and mediums inspired by simple beauty. She is grateful to ArtsConnect for encouraging beauty in our community and for SOHO Interiors for the platform to share her art. Friday store hours 10a-5p. Meet the artist during artwalk hours of 5-8p.
SouthWind Art Gallery (3074 SW 29th): Live music, food, and entertainment for our opening for "Animal Parade." The opening features over 50 new pieces by some of the best artists in the region. Hope to see you there! FFAW hours are 5-7p. Find us on Instagram @southwindartgallery.
Beauchamp's Gallery (3113 SW Huntoon): "Ballet," a collection of new oil paintings features over a dozen beautiful dance images by popular Topeka artist Mike Henry. Stop by Friday evening or anytime thru mid-October. ......coming soon "Ghosts of the Flint Hills" - featuring haunting black & white photography of our favorite Kansas geography. FFAW hours are 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM. Find us on Instagram @beauchampsgallery.
Mulvane Art Museum (1700 SW Jewell Avenue): Bid Farewell to visiting artist Armando Bogarin from Paraguay and view the work he created from materials gathered in the Kansas prairie and nearby waterways. Refreshments served. FFAW hours are 5-7p. Find us on Instagram @mulvaneartmuseum.
Two Wolves Studio & Artist Den (114 SW 8th, 2nd Floor): Our featured artist is photographer, Dan Brennan. We'll have chili served during the art walk, along with other participating Downtown Businesses while the Mmmm last. Open Studio with artists Mike Wagner, Loren King and Gunner Martin in our new studio Space. New handmade jewelry by Karyl-Ann Roehl. October themed art by Angela Lexow. Our Creatives Networking event starts at 10p. It's happening downtown! FFAW hours are 5-10p. Find us on Instagram @two_wolves_studio.
39 West Gallery (909 N Kansas): Join us in the gallery for this months featured exhibit “The Art of Michael Mize.” Michael Mize has been a practicing biblical artist for the past 25 years creating both original and commissioned artwork, numerous live paintings and a host of other creative projects. FFAW hours are Noon-9p. Find us on Instagram @39westgallery.
NOTO Art Center’s Morris Gallery (935 N Kansas): The Featured Artist inside the NOTO Art Center Foyer this month is photographer Ryan Ogle. See the beauty of nature through the unique lens of one of Topeka’s most notable journalists. Join us also inside the Morris Gallery where the Floral Art Club of Topeka exhibits arrangements of natural materials, utilizing original ceramic pieces and paintings by NOTO artists. Did you miss our VIP party? Find out how you can become a Friend of NOTO by visiting https://www.explorenoto.com/. FFAW hours are Noon-9p. Find us on Instagram @NOTOArtDistrict.
Matryoshka Tattoo (918 N Kansas): Our featured artist for October is photographer Susan Smith. She has been taking photographs since she was a teenager, transitioning from manual, 33mm black and white, darkroom processing to digital over the years. Her photographs have a nature theme, which is ironic because she has a pronounced brown thumb that seems to attract every insect in the state and is a lifelong allergy sufferer. While she’s not very good at being in nature, she does love and appreciate it. Nature always has something wonderful to offer, and is a subject that never fails to draw her in and lift her spirits. Susan hopes these photos do the same for you. Regular hours are Tues-Sat from 10a-8p. FFAW hours are 10a-9p. Find us on Instagram at @matryoshkatattoo.
Blooms on Boswell (1300 SW Boswell): We will provide small snacks and beverages, while you come check out our fall decor, fashion accessories, and possibly put in an order or purchase a floral arrangement from our selection. FFAW hours are 8a-7p. Find us on Instagram at @BloomsonBoswell.
