WSU School of Art, Design and Creative Industries

09/08/2026

🎨 ARTS MIXR is coming up at Mark Arts!

Looking to meet other artists, creatives, arts professionals, and people who love what's happing in Wichita's arts community? ARTS MIXRs are a chance to get out, make connections, and see who's doing what around town.

👀 SEE "Subcreators: Elisabeth Owens & John Pirtle"
🤝 MEET fellow art lovers
💬 MAKE connections
🗣️ TALK art
✨ FIND Wichita's art stars

Whether you're a student, emerging artist, arts professional or longtime member of the creative community, come mix it up!

📅 Thursday, September 10
⏰ 5–6:30 p.m.
📍 Mark Arts, 1307 N Rock Rd, Wichita
🆓 Free and open to all

Bring a friend or just yourself. No awkward networking required. Just good art and good friends!

Wait. You want more?!

ARTS MIXR ends just in time for you to make it to Ulrich Museum of Art for Cocktails and Conversations: with WSU ADCI alums Valerie Haring (MA '96) and John Oehm (MFA '81).

🎨 Cocktails and Conversations: How to Look at Contemporary Art
📅 Thursday, September 10
⏰ 6 p.m. Reception | 6:30–8 p.m. Program and slow-looking in the galleries
💸 $10 includes a complimentary cocktail and light bites

The arts are alive in Wichita--and ADCI alums are there!


WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement

Wichita area artists, artisans, and art supporters are invited to join us for the September ARTS MIXR at Mark Arts, from 5 - 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 10, directly following the Arts Council-facilitated Artist Bootcamp for Artists and Creatives. Learn more about that event and how to register at https://markartsks.com/course/artist-bootcamp

ARTS MIXR is a free and very informal gathering, open to artists and art lovers of all ages and abilities who are interested in learning more about the arts in Wichita. Our goal is to connect creatives throughout our community and spark conversations and collaboration.

09/08/2026

🎨 ARTIST BOOTCAMP IS THIS THURSDAY!
[and ADCI alums will be there!]

Want to get better at the business of being an artist? This one's for you.

Join Wichita Area Arts Council and Mark Arts for an affordable afternoon of artist professional development featuring ADCI alums Michael K Davenport (BFA '12), Elisabeth Owens (graphic design), and John Pirtle (BFA '10), along with Harvester Arts and Wichita State University School of Performing Arts' Mina Estrada.

💥 Real artists. Real experience. Real-world advice.
💸 Just $5!
📆 Thursday, September 10
⏰ 3:30–5:30 p.m.
📍 Mark Arts, 1307 N Rock Rd, Wichita

Come learn, connect, ask questions--and leave with a few things you wish someone had told you sooner.

WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement

Michael K Davenport (BFA '12), Elisabeth Owens (graphic design), and John Pirtle (BFA '10) are all ADCI alums. And we'll gladly support Mina Estrada (Wichita State University School of Performing Arts adjunct faculty | Harvester Arts Managing Director) any day of the week!

🎨🥾⛺️ Artist Bootcamp
📆 Thursday, September 10
⏰ 3:30–5:30 p.m.
📍 Mark Arts

Join Us - Sept 10 at 3:30 for Artist Bootcamp when Arts Council facilitates and stay for ARTS MIXR treats at 5 and see the exhibition!

09/03/2026

Artist talk, 330 pm Friday in Wilner Commons (south of McKnight Art Center).

Michael Downs creative projects have taken him around the globe, creating exciting artistic experiences for thousands.

Talk is free and open to all.

✨ We're excited to welcome Michael Downs to campus!

From Broadway and the Olympics to Super Bowls and global events, Michael has spent more than four decades creating unforgettable experiences around the world. Students will get an inside look at the creative process behind large-scale productions, including his recent work on THE FESTIVAL for Broadway.

Whether you're interested in design, production, storytelling, or creative leadership, this is a rare opportunity to learn from one of the industry's most accomplished innovators.

08/28/2026

𝗢𝗻 𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗗𝗖𝗜'𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿!

Explore more than 20 years of printmaking by local artist and ADCI alum 𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗴 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 (𝗠𝗙𝗔 '𝟴𝟮). The exhibition features work created using a variety of printmaking methods including intaglio, lithography, and relief.

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲! Campus community and the general public are invited to view the exhibition in person.

📍WSU Print Media Center, McKnight Art Center North, 2nd floor
🕕 Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.


WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement

Doug Billings, "Time Line III," 2019. Relief print, 12 x 9 in.
Doug Billings, "The Sacred Kosmos," 2000. Stone lithograph, 15 x 23 in.
Doug Billings, "The Baptism," 2000. Stone lithograph, 17 x 23 in.

08/17/2026

What makes a brand iconic?👀

Wichita design legend and 𝗪𝗦𝗨 𝗔𝗗𝗖𝗜 𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗺 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗻𝗲𝗿 (𝗕𝗕𝗔 '𝟴𝟭) (𝗕𝗙𝗔 '𝟴𝟯) has some thoughts. In this new interview with The SHOUT's Jenny Venn, the Gardner Design founder and LogoLounge creator talks branding, design, Wichita, and his new book, "The LogoLounge Guide to Iconic Branding."

A great read for anyone interested in graphic design, branding--and the creative forces that put Wichita on the map. 🌾💛


WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement

A new book by the founder of Gardner Design and LogoLounge is a road map for graphic designers.

08/17/2026

🎉𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗗𝗖𝗜 𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗺 𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗵 𝗠𝘆𝗼𝘀𝗲 (𝗕𝗔'𝟮𝟬), who has been named to Wichita State University's inaugural 𝟯𝟱 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝟯𝟱 class!

Sarah's time at WSU helped her explore the intersection of creativity, community, events and marketing--experiences that continue to shape her career today. Since graduating, she's put those skills to work in the community through marketing and public art projects at places like The Belmont, Old Mill Tasty Shop, Clapp Park and even the WSU campus.

We're proud to see Sara recognized for the creative impact she's making in Wichita. Congratulations, Sarah! 💛🌾

Learn more about 𝗪𝗦𝗨'𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝟯𝟱 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝟯𝟱 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 via link in comments.


WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement

08/11/2026

👀𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗔𝗧 𝗨𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗪!

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝟮𝟬 𝗪𝗦𝗨 𝗔𝗗𝗖𝗜 𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻𝗶 are among the 𝟭𝟰𝟬+ 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 featured in "Look at Us Now," an invitational self-portrait exhibition at the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery in Lindsborg.

The exhibition asks artists to reflect on where they've been, where they are now, and how they see themselves--through painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, collage, found objects and more.

𝗔𝗗𝗖𝗜 𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱, 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗿𝘁, 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆.

𝟮𝟬+ 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝟭𝟰𝟬+ 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀. 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗴.

𝗚𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝘄. 👀

Charles Baughman MFA '94
Doug Billings MFA '82
Connie Bonfy MA '86
James Borger
Chris Brunner MFA '79
Rachel Curtis MFA '13
Marc Lyle Durfee MFA '03
Mark Flickinger BFA '89
David Friday
Brian Hinkle MFA '92
Betty Jo Houchen MA '70
Michael F. Jilg MFA '72
Kevin Kelly BFA '01 MFA '08
Kathleen Kuchar MFA '74
John Oehm MFA '81
Kathy Schroeder MA '87
Jim Simpson BFA '86
Tim Stone BFA '12 MFA '22
Bruce VanOsdel MFA '89
Trish VanOsdel BFA '91

📍Look at Us Now | on view through October 18, 2026
Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery | Lindsborg, Kansas

Museum hours:
Tuesdays – Saturdays | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sundays | 1 – 5 p.m.
Mondays: closed


WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement

Special thanks to Ron Michael, Director of Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery, for sharing photos from the opening reception, installation, and exhibition catalog.

08/10/2026

🔥 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀.

In a new KMUW ArtWorks feature, 𝗔𝗗𝗖𝗜 𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗺 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗣𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗹𝗲 (𝗕𝗙𝗔 '𝟭𝟬) talks about what he learned from working under pressure--including how a 20-minute time limit pushed him to experiment with oil sticks and pigment sticks and approach painting more like drawing.

John's approach? Embrace the chaos. 😈

The conversation with KMUW's Torin Anderson goes beyond Mark Arts' annual Versus competition--touching on making art while balancing family, finding time to work, and knowing when to stop before a painting becomes overworked. John puts all of that into practice with more than 40 large paintings and drawings on view through September 19, 2026, in "Subcreators."

We love seeing where our alumni take their work--and John is definitely making his mark.

🎧 Listen to the KMUW feature.
https://www.kmuw.org/podcast/art-works/2026-08-07/brush-off-inside-a-live-art-battle-at-mark-arts?ref=shoutwichita.com

WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement

Versus: A Live Art Battle is an annual competition at Mark Arts that gives artists a 20 minute time limit to come up with a winning piece.

08/07/2026

🌏 Big stage. Big audience. BIG congratulations!

We’re celebrating ADCI alum Hugo Zelada-Romero (BFA ’20), whose original work is featured in “The World in Kansas City” at the acclaimed Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.

As more than 650,000 visitors descended on Kansas City for the FIFA World Cup this summer, Hugo’s work became part of the city’s global cultural conversation. “The World in Kansas City” shines a spotlight on artists whose work reflects the international spirit of our region, giving visitors from around the world the chance to experience his work.

Congratulations, Hugo! We’re proud to see ADCI represented on one of the region’s premier contemporary art stages. 👏

“The World in Kansas City” is on view through August 9.


WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement

Images:
Hugo Zelada-Romero

Hugo Zelada-Romero, …above I saw a silver lining in the clouds, 2023. Laser etched stereogram on raw canvas, brass nails, spray paint, clear acrylic glass. Courtesy Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Major Dwight Oran Smith (U.S. Army ret.) and Nana-Ama Smith of the Smith Family Collection

Installation views, The World in Kansas City, March 6–August 9, 2026, Sally Kemper Wood & Barbara and Paul Uhmann Galleries, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City, Missouri. Photos: E. G. Schempf, 2026.

08/04/2026

We're proud to celebrate recent MFA graduate Madison Mullen (𝗠𝗙𝗔 '𝟮𝟲), who is taking the next creative step in her career as Youth Program Coordinator at the legendary 𝗚𝗵𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗠𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗰𝗼.

Originally made famous by iconic artist Georgia O'Keeffe, Ghost Ranch has a history of inspiring artists and creatives. We can't wait to see how Madison's talents continue to grow in this incredible setting.

Congratulations, Madison!

WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement