Back in March of this year, Topeka was riding high on the “Google, Kansas” wave.   Internet powerhouse Google was looking for a city to test their new broadband initiative and the organization Think Big Topeka asked the city’s residents to petition the internet giant.   Thousands of Topekans took the up challenge and helped to gain the attention of both Google and the internet world.  Beauchamp’s Gallery owner Bob Swain was impressed with the enthusiasm and creativity demonstrated by his fellow citizens during the Google initiative and wanted to find a way to support the Think Big effort.

“I had seen how the arts movement was already changing attitudes about Topeka.  I thought, why not create a project that joined the arts with Think Big Topeka?” said Swain.

Swain contacted Think Big Topeka co-founder Jared Starkey and floated the idea of doing an art exhibit with the theme of “Think Big Topeka.”

“Think Big Topeka wants to encourage people to have conversations about the future of Topeka. We’re happy to see businesses doing their part to encourage forward-thinking as well,” said Starkey.

Swain put out a call for artists to submit work for the show.  He wanted Topeka artists to create works that celebrated the beauty, vision and vitality of Topeka.

An impartial panel of judges was assembled to determine which artworks would be included in the show.  The judging results produced an eclectic range of works including paintings, photography, watercolor, computer generated work and relief sculpture.   Highest rated by the panel was a mixed media painting by Janet Bailey titled “Transitions.”

Other notable works include “Downtown 6PM,” an oil painting by Barbara Wateman Peters, a photograph “Wanamaker Crossroads” by Jennifer Somers and “Foxy City,” an oil painting by Stella Robbins. From all of the entries, 15 artworks were selected for inclusion in the show.

The Think Big Topeka show will open in conjunction with the First Friday Art Walk on Friday, tomorrow evening.  The community is invited to visit with the artists at the gallery from 6-8 PM.  The Westboro Artwalk will feature live bluegrass music at the Haute Shop, jHP advertising and sidewalk chalk for kids to create messages to Google and show how they “think big.” The exhibit will remain on display at Beauchamp’s through September 22.

Beauchamp’s is located at 3113 SW Huntoon in the Westboro Mart.

[ August 2010 | press release | photo (top) "Wanamaker Crossroads" by Jennifer Somers ]