Sponsored by Valeo Behavioral Health Care, ” ‘Creations of Hope’ strives to raise awareness and widen views of mental illness by providing an event that celebrates creativity, strength, and hope in recovery rather than focusing on disability.” This juried exhibit also aims to raise awareness and educate the general public about mental illness.  Throughout the exhibition floor you’ll see tidbits of information such as:

Stigma erodes confidence that mental disorders are real, treatable health conditions, creating attitudinal, structural and financial barriers to effective treatment and recovery. – National Alliance on Mental Illness

The Upstage Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm, and stays open until 9:00 pm on Thursdays. They also participate in ArtsConnectTopeka’s First Friday Art Walk from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Be sure to stop in to support these artists as they find their place in the art community and continue their recovery.

• Warehouse 414: Sunflower Cirque
  

  Kent Miller holds up art panel that will be part of the Community Tree Project. View artwork and project at jhP Friday, October 7.

  Jurried show featuring art about sunflowers, using sunflowers, anything sunflowers!  Whimsically pieces paired with 3D and mulit-media round out this show that will ignite your love with Kansas Sunflowers.

• The Upstage Gallery (in the Historic Jayhawk Theatre): Creations of HopeAn exhibit of artists experiencing mental illness. The Upstage Gallery is hosting this annual art exhibit in conjunction with Valeo and their art therapy program. Exhibit supports and validates the need for mental disorder awareness by bringing these artists into the local art scene. On display are more than 70 works by artists with photography, watercolor, oils, acrylics, prints, ceramics, art glass, and mixed media represented.

• jones huyett Partners: Prairie Band Nation’s Tribal Victims Assistance Program  (3200 SW Huntoon)The Prairie Band Nation’s Tribal Victims Assistance Program will be unveiling the Community Story Tree project, a large mosaic of art tiles created by 72 individuals and shaped into a tree.  The project is designed to raise awareness about domestic violence and highlight PBPN’s commitment to ending violence in the community.

• Frame Warehouse:  150 Art ExhibitThis mega-show of 150 original paintings and fine art photography will close soon, so join friends and other art enthusiasts to see the amazing works inspired by the sunflower state. Also preview KTWU’s “Master Artist” portion of Camera Lights Auction.
• Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library: KS Masters Invitational Art ShowWorks by 56 of the best artists in Kansas. The show comes down Oct. 21. So, this Friday offers a great opportunity to mingle with staff at the Alice C. Sabatini Gallery, enjoy art and meet fans of art from 5:30 to 8:30pm.
• New Art Gallery (112 SW 6th St. Suite 201)
  Check out the newest gallery in Downtown Topeka 
• The Eclective – NOTO (900 N Kansas Ave)
  
  Featured Artists Justin and Bailey Marable.   Jason Petty, Author of  “Vampire of Meadow Lake” will be signing his book.  LIVE entertainment by Mother Kali begins at 5pm with a demonstration by professional pumpkin carver Randy Fay.  Other artist showing at The Eclective are Cora Spencer, Toni Brou, Jan Jennings, Jennifer Somers, and Pat Abellon.  Other galleries open in NOTO include Studio 831, Two Days Monthly Market, Artists Lofts and more.  Entertainment by High Falutin’ String Band. 
• Bosco’s: Michelle Leivan & Keith Czechanski “Feminine Desert: Paintumentary,” by Leivan is a series of paintings based on the perceived dualitymany young women present to the world.  Photography by Czechanski will be shown in Bosco’s upstairs (street  level).  His personal photography reflects many styles from sill life to landscapes to portraits.

   

• Lloyd Zimmer Books & Maps: “Art of the Written Word” 

  Go on a safari in “Gary Clark’s Africa: Wildlife, Rainbows and Laughter,” a limited-edition collection of more than 300 photographs from the former Topeka Zoo director’s 37 years exploring Africa.

NOTO Community Arts Center

The NOTO Banner Project

Join community-based artist and designer Carol Bradbury in creating a series of vibrant, flower-filled banners that will line the streets of NOTO and remind everyone of the artistic transformation happening in North Topeka.

Everyone welcome, kids and adults.

The Eclective

Enjoy the music of Monk’s Wine playing indoors while browsing new art work.

Featured artist:  Jan Jennings, watercolor and pastels.

Special guests: the Craftivists.

Two Days Market

Hot temps, cool merchandise. Wine…and lots of ice water available while strolling through new displays.  New section upstairs opened.  Featured artists:  Connie English and Jane Gibler

STUDIO 831

Sip wine, meet artists Lois VanLiew and Hi Stockwell and see exciting art displays in the Gallery

Robucks Jewelers

Meet Jewelry Designer Kristen Haug and see her astonishing acid-etched designs on sterling silver

Food vendors on the street.  Restaurants open. It’s all happening in NOTO this Friday.

[ image at top courtesy NOTO arts district ]

Art Show

Part of Savor Kansas, the month-long celebration of the Kansas Sesquicentennial, the Upstage Gallery is displaying a show titled “The Jayhawk State Theatre of Kansas Celebrates Cinematic History.” This month-long show features juried art by local and regional artists that shows the importance of cinema to pop culture. All pieces are on sale, with some of the proceeds going to the Jayhawk Theatre and their efforts toward restoring the 1926 movie palace.

Here are the top placing pieces in the show:

"Lights, Camera, Action" by Shanon Fouquet, 3rd Place

"Belly Dancers," by Keith Czecheckanski, 2nd Place

"Locked in the Tower," by Jan Jennings, 1st Place

"Goddess of Agriculture," by Renee Johnson, President's Choice award

"Robin in Black and White," by Randy Roach, Best in Show winner

DVD Release

KU doctoral graduate Juli Pitzer is releasing her film, “Preserving the Past: Topeka’s Jayhawk Theatre” on DVD with copies for sale at the Upstage Gallery 5-8 p.m. Friday June 3 for $12, with all proceeds going to the Jayhawk Theatre.

The film itself is a 19-minute short, but the DVD contains a total of nearly 55 minutes of material, including deleted scenes, shorts on downtown Topeka, the Jayhawk Hotel and other behind-the-scenes footage.

Pitzer will be on hand to sign copies of the DVD and talk with people about the film and her knowledge of the theater, which she first discovered in 2008 while doing a research internship for her doctorate program.

Members of the Jayhawk Theatre Board of Directors will be in attendance to give tours of the theater to visitors as well.

For more information, visit jayhawktheatre.com

[ press release | images courtesy Pam Renovato / Upstage Gallery | DVD image courtesy Juli Pitzer ]

Activities begin at 5 with the Topeka High Drum Line performing on the street, followed by a dance performance by the Jason Jones’ Accent Academy dancers.

The ribbon cutting begins at 5:30. Mayor Bill Bunten, Topeka Public School Superintendent Kevin Singer, Washburn University President Jerry Farley, and US Bank Topeka President Wendy Wells are among the dignitaries who will be speaking. Following the ribbon cutting, music will be provided by Month of May Trio from Kansas City, sponsored by US Bank.

Acclaimed artists Cally Krallman and Kim Casebeer known for their exceptional landscape paintings will be available to discuss the first class being presented in the NOTO Community Arts Center:

• Pizza Pochade Box: A Plein Air Paint- Out. This will be a unique outdoor painting experience in Historic Downtown North Topeka for high school students, using pizza boxes. Krallman and Casebeer will both be donating a piece of their original work to benefit the scholarship program for the Center. These pieces will be presented in a silent auction at the First Friday in July at the Center along with the finished work of the students. Proceeds will benefit the Scholarship Program for classes at the Center.

Other Grand Opening features include a continuously-running magic show by Curtis Sneden with refreshments available until 8 p.m., and an exhibit of artwork by Topeka Public School students will be on display throughout the weekend, including a unique display of “Thought Bubbles” created by Topeka Public School students.

On Saturday, May 7, the public is also invited to an Open House in the NOTO Community Arts Center from 1 – 4.

Art Making Fun for the family with take-along projects will be featured. Refreshments will be available, featuring cupcakes created by the culinary students of the Washburn Technical Institute with the hand-created NOTO logo on top. A balloon clown will be present to delight the children.

Other NOTO businesses in the district will be open Friday evening, including Renee Johnson’s Eclective with live music by the Rob Wade Band. The Eclective and Two Days Market will also be open on Saturday. Barbara Waterman-Peters’ STUDIO 831 will be open only Friday night.

Bike the Walk will also take place, starting in the NOTO Arts District. Grand Opening events are underwritten by US Bank. Topeka US Bank President Wendy Wells said, “The NOTO Arts District aligns with so many of the U.S. Bank strategies and missions for community involvement and support, including neighborhood revitalization, arts and culture and multicultural involvement. The business plan for NOTO is well designed, has excellent leadership and Board experience and most importantly, has strong community support. We are proud to be a sponsor.”

The NOTO Community Arts Center is a collaborative project of the NOTO Arts District, Topeka Public School District and Washburn University/Mulvane Art Museum. Superintendent Kevin Singer is credited for having the vision for developing this center.

Co-Chair Anita Wolgast at a NOTO press conference last year

“The NOTO Community Arts Center is a wonderful example of collaboration between Topeka Public Schools, Washburn University’s Mulvane Art Museum and Heartland Visioning. The arts center will soon be providing art classes, mentorships and unique opportunities for Topekans of all ages. This will be an exciting opportunity for our community,” said Singer.

Washburn University President Jerry Farley added, “It is absolutely incredible what we can accomplish by working together. Everyone involved in the arts center contributed their talent, enthusiasm and time to make this project a success. “

The NOTO Arts District is a project of Heartland Visioning. Initiated in April of 2010, this is the fourth grand opening ceremony for the arts district.

Co-chairs John Hunter and Anita Wolgast expressed their own astonishment at the fast pace of the development of the district and stated, “It is indeed significant to be celebrating the major collaborative community center project with strong community partners. For this to be the fourth grand opening in a year’s time since the project was announced is exhilarating and speaks to the incredible support of the artists and the community. We are excited to be announcing another major gift at the Grand Opening ceremony as well as a gift from a Topeka Public Schools student.”

All events are free and open to the public.

[ Heartland Visioning press release | May 2011 | photos by Colin MacMillan / Nathan Ham Photography | photo at left courtesy Topeka Chamber of Commerce ]

The Eclective, 900 North Kansas Avenue, an eclectic art showroom and studios, will hold its ribbon cutting ceremony at 5 p.m.  Live entertainment by Mother Kali, refreshments and beverage will be provided from 5 – 9 pm. Owner Renee Johnson will feature her unique Stainless Steel Design Concepts, highly recognized in the Topeka art community.  She is joined by five artists with studios:  Angela Lexow, fine jewelry and gourd artist; Cora Spencer, fiber artist; Pat Abellon, painter; Randy Fay, Iron Florist; and Pam Renovato, digital fine art.  Studios will be in the back of the store, with a public gallery featuring the artists’ work in the front of the store.  The Chamber of Commerce will assist with the ribbon cutting.

The Two Day Monthly Market, 824 North Kansas Avenue.  Co-owners Coralee Evans and Lisa Cusick of Brickhouse Antiques, 3711 SW Burlingame Road,  are expanding and opening another business that will be conducted as a ‘monthly market’ which will be open the first Friday and Saturday of each month in conjunction with the First Friday Art Walk.  The inventory will include antique and vintage, as well as mid-century modern items, unique industrial pieces, home décor, jewelry and much more.  Their hours will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.  The featured visiting artists for the April 1 and 2 Grand Opening are photographer Nathan Ham whose work will be displayed, as well as paintings by Louise Brock Hamilton.  Refreshments will be served during the Art Walk.

Also, STUDIO 831 will be hosting their First Opening on the First Friday art walk by featuring work by Barbara Waterman-Peters and her co-artists, Michael Hager and Lois Van Liew.  Refreshments will also be served at Studio 831.

Free parking is available on Kansas Avenue and also behind the Kansas Avenue stores on the east side, located between the Kansas Avenue Bridge and the backdoors of Bradley’s Corner Café and businesses to the south.

[ press release | image at top by Colin MacMillan/Nathan Ham Photography | other images courtesy NOTO on Facebook ]

ArtMap_Section

Jennifer Spence (standing), Bobby Kitchkommie (seated in the foreground) and others discuss a photograph.

The photography project was led by Jennifer Spence & Jabeth Coachman with the City of Topeka Parks & Recreation Department. As adaptive recreation specialists, their mission with the  project is to, “provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to share and present their achievement to the community.” And they will do that on March 4 at Big Gage Shelter, located just north of the Topeka Zoo entrance in Gage Park, from 5:30pm -8:30pm. Refreshments will be available. “We’re thankful to get support from the community,” said Spence. “Gary Blitch, owner of Southwind Art Gallery offered to frame the photographs selected for the exhibit, and Zercher Photo and Wolfe’s Camera are donating their printing services.”

Twelve participants of Loving Hands enrolled in the photography project.  “Two of the requirements for participating in the project were, first, they had to consent to sharing their work to the public,” said Coachman. “Second, they had to be comfortable attending the event and discussing their work with visitors.” The group was part of the whole planning process, from deciding where they would go to take the photographs, to themes: landscapes, people, lines, etc. Together they traveled to various sites around Topeka and Shawnee County, using their digital cameras to take the pictures.“It was fun to take off and look for interesting views,” said photographer Ashley Flanagan.

Ashley Flanagan, a photographer and poet poses with her writings.

Ashley also liked learning about using a digital camera. “It’s cheaper than developing disposable cameras, easier than a 35 millimeter.” Dylan Davenport enjoyed taking photos at Truckhenge and learning about places he hadn’t been to before enrolling in the project. Bobby Kitchkommie, whose impressive photos included the water feature at the Kansas Judicial Center and the State Capitol building decided his favorite subject was Lake Shawnee. However the crowd favorite was the Topeka Zoo; at one point a close-up picture of a lion flashed on the screen which made this writer ask if the shot was taken while inside the exhibit with the dangerous animal. “No,” came the laughs. “We just got really good pictures,” offered one of the photographers.

That, they certainly did.

[by Rio Cervantes-Reed | photos provided by Adam Koger]

Check out the photography of seveneightfive staffer EJ Drake at Hazel Hill Chocolate while doing some serious Valentine’s browsing. Here’s a list of some of the lovable goodies they’ve got in store:

• Glass heart dishes overflowing with goodness
• Ceramic hearts filled with 3 truffles
• Signature burgundy boxes tied up pretty
• Heart boxes filled with creams
• Heart boxes filled with sugar free chocolates
• Handmade decorated peanut butter cups
• Chocolate Love pops
• They deliver to Topeka addresses ($5 delivery fee does apply, must call 1 day ahead)
• They will have strawberries,  and they’ll be dipping 17 flats of strawberries Valentine’s day.  So stop in and pick some up.  In a hurry, pre-order and they will have it ready for you.

There will be new art at Marion Lane Candles and The Merchant, too. Both are excellent places for Valentine’s shopping.

Take a break and head over to the Blue Planet Cafe to see Brad LeDuc’s art show (a must-see for the Artwalk in February).

photo via Facebook

At Warehouse 414 (414 S.E. 2nd Street), the Visit Topeka Photo Contest winners will be on display, and local artist/author Justin Marable will be on hand to sign copies of his recently released children’s book, “Noco.”

Have fun, bundle up and join us in supporting local artists and businesses. Cheers!

[Jan. 2011 | photo at top by Colin MacMillan / Nathan Ham Photography ]

Alice C Sabatini Gallery, Topeka & Shawnee County Library, Continues with “The Printed Image 3″ With 61 artists, 21 states and two venues – the Sabatini Gallery in partnership with Washburn University’s Mulvane Art Museum – this experimental and diverse exhibit won’t disappoint.

Art Guild Gallery, 5331 SW 22nd Place- Fairlawn Plaza Featured Artist of the Month: Oil paintings from Pat Abellon.  “After his grandfather tossed him a 12-piece box of crayons as a 6 year old boy, Pat now sees everything as blank page waiting to be painted. He paints landscapes and seascapes in oil and watercolor and received a signed certificate of recognition from President Obama for his portrait.”

Also, “Reflections,” a collective art exhibit featuring many local artists and TAG members with mediums including, painting, photography, fine art gourds, digital fine art, jewelry, watercolor, pastels, and ceramics.

Beauchamp’s Gallery – Westboro Mart:  will feature, “Who Let the Dogs Out,“  a collection of “dog” paintings by all of your favorite regional artists.

The Collective – 3121 SW Huntoon, Westboro Mart:  Featuring an exhibit called “Holiday Extravaganza PART II!”  There will be new works by your favorite artists along with some you might have missed last month.  Check out the “newspaper trees” with handmade ornaments on sale.

The Haute Shop – Westboro Mart:  will be having glass demonstrations from 5-8 p.m.

SouthWind Gallery, 3074 SW 29^th: Featuring works by Kwan Wu, a leading Master sculptor and painter in both China and the U.S. Also on exhibit are oil paintings by Jeannie Pflumm of Lenexa, Kansas. As an added bonus for art-goers during this Friday’s Art Walk, SouthWind Gallery is providing a gourmet coffee bar featuring specialty coffees from PT’s Coffee Roasting Company,

Tinkham Veale Up/Down Gallery, 909 ½ S Kansas Ave: Let’s celebrate new beginnings this Friday at The Tinkham Veale Upstairs Downstairs Gallery. It is a new decade, a new year, and a new month. Lots of new. Oh and let’s also help Joe celebrate her birthday which was Jan 2nd. Since she is hostessing this month she would love to share in her celebration with the art community and friends.

Artists showing this month are Mary Robinson, Marc Rapp, EJ Drake, Sarah Reynolds, and Joe Cheray.

Topeka High Art Gallery - 3^rd floor of Topeka High School, (please use Western street entrance):

Whitney Jacobs Advanced Photography Students will show “Statements in Art – Traditional Darkroom Photography Processes”.  3rd Floor Gallery will be open from 3-4.

The Upstage Gallery 720 SW Jackson, Historic Jayhawk Theater:  Featuring the works of over 15 local artists. Angela Lexow, Tammy Patterson, Johanna Hanks, Cynthia Stotlar, Nichole Woodward, Tim Nevius, Joe Williams, Christopher Sudduth, Blue  Ribbon Photography, Pam Renovato, Beth Cain, Freestate Glass, Doug Griffin, Patricia Kulvechek, Jim Ginavin and Mary Anderson. All original art from $1- $200.

The Woodward Inns on Fillmore, 13^th & Fillmore: The Max Gallery at the Woodward Inns on Fillmore and, Polish Pottery at The Woodward.  The Max Gallery is currently featuring the art of ESU professor, the late Richard Stauffer glass blower, sculptor, and amateur archeologist. The Max Gallery at the Woodward Inns on Fillmore occupies the main floor of The Woodward Max. Polish Pottery will be exhibited at The Woodward.

The First Fridays Artwalk is brought to you by ARTSConnect.