Current & Upcoming Exhibits

  • ARTIST INC EXHIBITION 2024

    ArtsConnect is proud to present the Artist INC Topeka art exhibit.

    In December and January our gallery will display art from these area artists. The exhibit offers engaging and diverse art and great insight into our creative community. This year's exhibit features artwork by: Al Woods, Sr., Anamarie Wilkins, Carlos Velez, Christina Lewis, Cindy Kersenbrock, Clair McKay, Devin M. Wineinger, Erika Kjorlie-Geery, Heather Duris, Jean Denney, Jodee Jensen, Jolie Lippitt, Kathy Pflaum, Miranda Easton, Phyllis Klima, Rodney L. Hoover, Sally Woodson, Samantha Morrison, Susan K. Theroff, Susan Poer, Yolanda Wilson and Zandra Sneed-Dawkins.

    Each year since 2020, ArtsConnect has hosted Artist INC, a professional development fellowship for mid-career artists from all artistic disciplines in and around Topeka.

    Please join us at the ArtsConnect gallery at 909 N. Kansas Ave. December 2024 - January 2025 and enjoy the splendor of local art!

ArtsConnect Gallery: Past Exhibitions

  • 2024 Artist INC Exhibition

    December 2024 - January 2025

    Each year since 2020, ArtsConnect has hosted Artist INC, a professional development fellowship for mid-career artists from all artistic disciplines in and around Topeka.

    The exhibit featured engaging and diverse art and great insight into our creative community. This year's exhibit featured artwork by: Al Woods, Sr., Anamarie Wilkins, Carlos Velez, Christina Lewis, Cindy Kersenbrock, Clair McKay, Devin M. Wineinger, Erika Kjorlie-Geery, Heather Duris, Jean Denney, Jodee Jensen, Jolie Lippitt, Kathy Pflaum, Miranda Easton, Phyllis Klima, Rodney L. Hoover, Sally Woodson, Samantha Morrison, Susan K. Theroff, Susan Poer, Yolanda Wilson and Zandra Sneed-Dawkins.

  • Beyond The Needle

    October/November - 2024

    During the months of INKtober (October) and November of 2024, ArtsConnect presented an exhibition of works by Topeka-area tattoo artists. as we host an exciting new exhibition featuring works by Topeka-area tattoo artists Jennifer Bohlander, Ruebee, Lacey Gregory, Felix Knisley, Sara Myer, Anna Smith and Judith White.

    Join us on for the First Friday Artwalk on Friday, "Inktober" 4th for an opening reception. This show is only on view for one month, so don't miss your chance to see these amazing works.

    Cover graphic features artwork by Ruebee @ruebee.tattoos on IG.

  • We Are The Keepers: 2nd Annual Native American Art Exhibit

    August/September - 2024

    This exhibition featured the work of Native American artists working in both traditional and contemporary styles - inviting discussion about environmental justice, water rights, tribal sovereignty, history and culture.

    Featured Artists: Talia Sioux Anquoe (Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma/Oglala Lakota), Mona Cliff (Aaiiinh/Nakota), Reuben IronHorse-Kent (Ioway/Otoe/Kickapoo), Lisa LaRue-Baker (Cherokee Nation), Jolie "AmareedTheTruth" Lippitt (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation), Mia Majel (Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians), Konrad Pumpkin Seed* (Oglala Sioux), Kineu Rutledge (Ojibwe/Meskwaki/Dakota), Taiomah Rutledge (Ojibwe/Meskwaki/Dakota), Crystal Wabnum (Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas/Prairie Band Potawatomi), Jessica YoungBird Mitchell (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation & 3 Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota).

    *Konrad’s artwork is featured in the event graphic.

  • Blooming In the Noise of the Whirlwind

    June/July - 2024

    This exhibit was conceptualized to conicide with the birthday of Ms. Gwendolyn Brooks, who was born in Topeka. This exhibit featured works of poetry displayed in a “broadside” format - at poster size and hung on the wall as you might find a painting.

    Poets with work included in this show were: Fred C. Appelhanz, Jailey Barlow, Jaedon Blocker, Tim Bascom, Boyd Bauman, Ian Cook, Dennis Etzel, Jr., José Faus, Jennifer J. Gordon, James Harrel, Duane L. Herrmann, Alex Hounchell, Joan Koromantee, Christina Lewis, Mason Lexow, Jordyn Martin, Ruth Maus, Morgan O.H. McCune, Samantha Morrison, Fruitful Rhema, Maurice Stewart, Carlos Velez, Jamey Warren, Barbara Waterman-Peters, Adam White, Anamarie Wilkins and Yolanda Wilson. Submissions were reviewed by Annette Billings, Dennis Etzel, Jr., Quraysh Ali Lansana and Huascar Medina.

  • We Dissent

    Apr/May - 2024

    This exhibit featured artwork about resistance that put a spotlight on the role of artists as agents of change in our society.

    Artists featured in this show included Vivian Bluett, Nicole Colunga, Becky Drager, Miranda Easton, Harvey Flowers, Lisa LaRue-Baker (Cherokee Nation), Leonard LeDoux, Jr., Angela Lexow, Julian Mace, Azyz Sharafy, Zandra Sneed-Dawkins, Michael V. Toombs and Jeremy Wangler.

  • Say It Loud

    Feb/Mar - 2024

    This show unapologetically magnified the magnificence of Black People, Black Culture, Black Stories and Black Expression. The showcase was a culmination of extraordinary work created by established and emerging local black artists from the Topeka, Lawrence and Kansas City Metro area and was curated by artist Aisha Imani Sanaa.

    Artists featured in this exhibit were: Jasmine Ali, Vivian Bluett, Summer Brooks, Lynell Diggs, Claude Harris, Leonard Le'Doux, Randy McCall, Alisha Saucedo, Harold Smith, Michael V. Toombs, Lauren Wiley and Joshua Williams.

  • Playing Favorites

    Nov/Dec 2023 - Jan 2024

    This exhibit, entitled “Playing Favorites” invited area artists to show their own personal favorite works. Featuring artwork by Amy Allen, Michael Bradley, Leslie Carson Wolfe, Naomi Cashman, Meaghan Conant, Becky Drager, Sharon Easterling, Miranda Easton, Lyman Edwards, Meredith Field, Sarah Fizell, Harvey Flowers, Doug Frye, Jonah Graf, Ash Grubb, Michael Hooper, Rodney L. Hoover, Reuben IronHorse-Kent (Ioway/Otoe/Kickapoo), Jodee Jensen, Cindy Kersenbrock, Jennie Ketter, Angela Lexow, Kristine Luber, Seuss Mace, Theresa Martin, Michael Mize, Larry Peters, Jancy Pettit, Daniel Priest III, Konrad Pumpkin Seed (Oglala Sioux), Bernadette Robbins, Aisha Imani Sanaa, Azyz Sharafy, Zandra Sneed-Dawkins, Hi Stockwell, Tyler Thornton, Barbara Waterman-Peters, Becki Waugh, Lesa Weller and Janet Zoble.

  • We Are The Keepers

    Sept/Oct - 2023

    During September & October, ArtsConnect presented an exhibition of artworks by ten artists who are members of federally recognized tribal nations. These thought-provoking works center on contemporary social/environmental issues as well as Native cultural traditions. This show was made possible with the generous support of Lisa LaRue-Baker (Cherokee Nation), The Do Pi Ka Project, Tonantzin Society, Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

    Artists featured in this exhibit were: Mona Cliff (Aaniiih/Nakota), Lisa LaRue-Baker (Cherokee Nation), Reuben IronHorse-Kent (Ioway/Otoe/Kickapoo), Travis Komahcheet (Comanche/Otoe), Troy Komahcheet (Comanche), Jolie Lippitt (Potawatomi Nation), Kent Miller (Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska/Assinnaboine Sioux), Jessica Young Bird Mitchell (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation & Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota) and Konrad Pumpkin Seed (Oglala Lakota).

  • Artist INC Topeka Cohort Exhibition

    July/August - 2023

    This exhibit featured artwork by 33 artists who have participated in the Artist INC Topeka program in 2021, 2022 or 2023 as an artist, peer facilitator or administrator.

    Amy Allen, Kim Brook, Jean Denney, Lyman Edwards, Matthew Filby, Sarah Fizell, Harvey Flowers, Jonah Graf, Ash Grubb, Jodee Jensen, Cindy Kersenbrock, Erika Kjorlie Geery, Phyll Klima, Allison Koerner-Smith, Lisa LaRue-Baker (Cherokee Nation), Angela Lexow, Theresa Martin, Xavier Martinez, Tiena Nazzaro, Laura Odell, Paul Rudy, Alisha Saucedo, Jose Saucedo, Zandra Sneed-Dawkins, Susan Theroff, Jeremy Wangler, Becki Waugh, Lesa Weller and Kelly Yarbrough.

  • 2023 WU Student Exhibition

    April/May/June - 2023

    A juried exhibition of works by students from the WU School of Art and featured works in a variety of disciplines and subject matter. This exhibit was juried by Ruben Bryan Castillo.

  • Living the Dream Student Art Contest

    Feb/March - 2023

    This exhibit was been made possible by Living the Dream, Inc. and the Topeka Chapter of the LINKS, Inc. Featuring artwork submitted by K-12 students as part of the Living the Dream Art Contest as well as artists Alisha Saucedo, Aisha Imani Sanaa, Jordan Brooks, Oshara Meesha and Zandra Sneed-Dawkins.

  • 2D & 3D Digital Art by WU Students

    Nov/Dec/Jan - 2022/2023

    This exhibition showcased digital and 3D works from 22 students from the digital painting and 3D design courses at Washburn University.

  • Works by Doug Barrett & Michael Toombs

    Sept/Oct - 2022

    This exhibit featured works by a pair of accomplished Black artists who offer commentary on current events and focus on untold stories. Doug Barret is Kansas-based photographer, cinematographer and Michael Toombs, who an accomplished painter, muralist and longtime art activist.

  • 2022 Spotlight on the Aaron Douglas Art Fair

    June/July/Aug - 2022

    Featuring works of art by artists who have participated in the Aaron Douglas Art Fair in the past alongside the work of the 2022 Aaron Douglas Art Fair’s featured artist, Pradeep Bangalore.

  • 11:11 In Broken Glass - Installation

    Apr/May - 2022

    ArtsConnect hosted a multimedia performance & installation of artwork by Topeka artist Tina Brackman. The installation was on view for the First Friday Artwalk in April and May of 2022. The installation opened and closed with performances of the work by the artist.

  • Metmorphosis: Transformation Through the Arts

    Jan/Feb/Mar - 2022

    ArtsConnect was thrilled to showcase works of art by Washburn University senior art students as well as selected works by their mentors, Marguerite Perret & MIchael Hager. In this exhibition, students consider the theme of metamorphosis, transformation and change from many different perspectives.

  • Works by Various Artists

    Dec/Oct/Nov - 2021

    This group show featured works by a variety of artists, muralists, sculptors and students. Additionally, the gallery featured poster artwork created for Amplifier, a non-profit design lab focused on promoting social change through the arts and advocated for increased awarness about the importance of COVID-19 vaccinations.

  • Murals Matter: Small(er) Works By Big Artists

    Sept/Oct - 2021

    Works by artists whose larger paintings are found in murals throughout Topeka alongside works by Quincy Signature Visual Arts Elementary School students.

  • Spotlight on Artist INC Topeka & Aisha Imani

    June/July/Aug - 2021

    The gallery featured works by artists who participated in the 2021 Artist INC Topeka cohort as well as works by the 2021 Aaron Douglas Art Fair Featured Artist, Aisha Imani Sanaa.

  • Featured Artist: Robert Tapley Bustamante

    April/May - 2021

    Despite having opened the gallery nearly 14 months prior, this exhibit of works by muralist and painter, Robert Tapley Bustamante, was the first time the gallery had been open to the public since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Works by various artists represented by SouthWind Gallery were also shown.