Fridays = Free Fun

Arts and music are focus of First and Final Friday events.

Final Friday — As the name implies, Final Friday happens the last Friday of each month.  Art galleries, museums,restaurants and retail shops around Wichita stay open late and welcome visitors. Recognizing that Downtown is the artistic and cultural center for the region, the Qline trolley service transports art lovers to the concentration of venues in Downtown. The ride is free and allows attendees to park once and visit several galleries.

Hours vary between galleries but all are open during the core hours of 7p.m. to 9 p.m. Most galleries use Final Friday to unveil and debut new shows or as a closing reception.  All venues are free and open to the public and several galleries incorporate artist demonstrations and/or live music. Not only does this event give guests the opportunity to view creative art space, it also is an excellent time to purchase one-of-a-kind artwork directly from artists. For a map of participating venues Downtown, click here. For a full list of Final Friday venues, click on the resources tab above.


  

What galleries participate in Final Friday?

Galleries, museums, restaurants, and retail shops from across Sedgwick County often participate in this event. A full listing may be seen under the resources tab. A quick reference for the concentration of galleries and shops that are in Downtown may be seen here.

Art Bucks Boxes

The Wichita Arts Council wants to help you own an original work of art. Enter in the “Art Bucks Contest” to win $100 towards your next purchase. Art Bucks entry boxes are located at specific Final Friday venues and are shown with a * in the title under the Resources tab above. Each month one lucky person will win $100 in Art Bucks to be redeemed on an original work of art at any of the Final Friday venues designated by the * on the list of venues under the Resources tab above.

Can I buy art tonight?

Absolutely. Not only does this event give guests the opportunity to view creative art space, it also is an excellent time to purchase one-of-a-kind artwork directly from artists.

Plan to attend next time

Make plans to attend the next Final Friday Gallery Crawl set for Friday, February 24. Also, mark your calendars for next week’s First Friday, a music crawl, on Friday, February 3.

How can I find out about all the Downtown activities & events?

Join our conifdential email list here. Click on "Special Events News" to receive weekly Downtown Events Emails.

Sculpture Walkabout

The Sculpture Walkabout was initiated by Mayor Carl Brewer and showcases area artists. The art is chosen from a juried competition and is available for purchase. Sculptures are located in Old Town on north Mosley and Mead between Douglas and Second Street and on the Intrust Bank Arena plaza. The cash award will be presented to the artist at the annual Arts Council Art Awards Dinner in November.

Elizabeth Stevenson on Downtown Development
Final Friday
Final Friday
Final Friday Venues Jan. 27
* A B C E F G K M N P R S T V W
216 N. Washington
Aida's*    
920 E. First
Artifacts    
4729 E. Douglas
307 N. Mead
Bella Luz*    
300 N. Mead
1712 W. Douglas
611 W. Douglas
Cero's    
1108 E. Douglas
126 S. Seneca
CityArts*    
334 N. Mead
300 N. McLean
524 S. Commerce
2100 W. University Ave.
412 E. Douglas #A
508 S. Commerce
401 S. Seneca
119 N. Mead
3100 McCormick St.
Printmaker Rachel Epp Buller's "Those Were the Days" opening reception as well as the Fall, 2011 Graphic Design art and writing created by Newman University Art majors with Emphasis in Graphic Design from 5:00 - 7:00pm
1646 E. First St.
151 N. Rock Island, 1D
Rebecca's*    
300 N. Mead, Ste. 106A
922 E. Douglas
393 N. McLean Blvd.
3555 E. Douglas
144 N. Emporia
143 N. Rock Island, 3rd Floor
412 E. Douglas
4701 E. Douglas
Phone: (316) 682-1181
803 E. 3rd St.
© 2011 Wichita Downtown Development Corporation
interactive partner: Howerton+White
hosting by: Hubris Communications