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COMMUNITY IMPACT

ART EDUCATION

The arts enrich our lives, and everything we do at Mark Arts is designed to inspire lifelong learning. The School of Creativity is the heart of our organization, where students one and all – from our youngest preschool artists to our active retirees – experience a strong sense of camaraderie as they explore their creative sides. Our thriving legacy programs in painting, drawing, enamels, metals, printmaking, pottery and sculpture complement newer educational offerings, including STEAM curriculum and the culinary arts. In 2024: 

  • Enrollment in the School of Creativity steadily increased by 7%.
  • Summer STEAM Academy provided 10 weeks of youth workshops, blending art with science, technology, engineering, and math.
  • Culinary workshops, led by instructors like, Jacob Cook, Jamelah Kauffman, Annie Patel, Jamie Stratton, Joe Stumpe, and more introduced students to creative cooking experiences.
  • Mark Arts awarded 47 youth and 43 adult scholarships were awarded to make art available to all.
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EXQUISITE EXHIBITIONS

With four distinct gallery spaces offering approximately 20 exhibitions annually, there is always something new and inspiring to see at Mark Arts. Visitors will find art from our Study Collection and other rotating exhibitions throughout the center, with the jewel of our building being the 5,000-square-foot Gladys & Karl T. Wiedemann Gallery. Admission is always free, and we encourage visitors to spend time in the galleries reflecting. They will most certainly expand their point of view, and they may even choose to expand their own collections by acquiring artwork by contemporary artists. In 2024: 

  • Mark Arts hosted the prestigious Oil Painters of America National Exhibition, welcoming over 600 guests to the opening reception and conference, generating an estimated $180,000 in economic impact.
  • A record number of submissions were received for the Abstract National Exhibition, and a sold-out Artisan Academy was held, led by juror Pamela Caughey.
  • The Eastern Kansas Scholastic Art Awards engaged 878 students from 64 Kansas schools, a 17% increase over 2023, recognizing the best young artists in the region.
  • Mark Arts partnered with Wichita Area Sister Cities to present Kaifeng, China: Northern Song Dynasty Art, offering cultural programs and performances.
VIEW CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

BUILDING COMMUNITY

Mark Arts believes art is for everyone. Through a variety of free and low-cost programming, members of the public can visit our campus to participate in art creation, musical performances, yoga, and more. Or, visit our Mark Arts tent at community events in your neighborhood to create your own artistic masterpieces and learn about local and regional artists. In 2024: 

  • Families explore creativity at monthly Mark Arts hosted monthly Art Together events through hands-on activities, from Pop Art with Pups (in partnership with the Kansas Humane Society) to Incredible India, celebrating Indian culture through art and performances.
  • Mark Arts delivered hands-on art education at community events such as Autumn & Art, JuneteenthICT, Nomar Fiesta, the inaugural Elsewhere Festival, and more, engaging thousands of guests through interactive projects.
  • Visitors were grooving on the Great Lawn during our first Concerts at the Corner outdoor concert series, featuring Sage Judd, Josue Estrada Band and Keo & Them. 
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Gallery Hours:

Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

 

Office Hours:

Tuesday-Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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