Join Mark Arts and the Arts Council for an afternoon of ideas, inspiration and connection created for Wichita’s artistic community. Start with Artist Bootcamp, featuring candid conversations with local creatives about building and sustaining an artistic practice, then continue the evening at ArtsMixr, a free networking happy hour in the galleries.
Artist Bootcamp | 3:30–5 p.m. | $5
School of Creativity Commons
Michael K. Davenport — Art, Authenticity & the Algorithm
Social media can be an incredible tool for artists, but the pressure to constantly produce, promote and stay visible can make it feel like another full-time job. Davenport shares his experience using social media to document his work, connect with collectors and community, and build an audience while remaining authentic. Explore finding your voice, creating content from the work you’re already doing, and navigating comparison, burnout and the pressure of the algorithm.
Mina Estrada — In Defense of a Selfish Practice
What if you tend to what feeds you? Estrada considers artistic selfishness as a strategy for sustaining a creative life. Through questions of wanting, attention, appetite and return, her talk asks what might happen when artists protect what feeds them, even amid the demands of audience, community and commerce.
Elisabeth Owens + John Pirtle — From Versus to Subcreators
Owens and Pirtle share their experiences competing in Mark Arts’ Versus exhibition and the creative journey that followed, culminating in their current joint exhibition, Subcreators. Hear about their individual practices, creative processes and the evolution of their work as they reflect on the path from competition to collaboration.
ArtsMixr | 5–6:30 p.m. | Free
Gladys & Karl T. Wiedemann Gallery
Continue the conversation at ArtsMixr, a casual networking happy hour bringing together artists, creatives and arts supporters from across the Wichita community. Make new connections, exchange ideas and explore the galleries, including Owens and Pirtle’s Subcreators.
Gallery Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Office Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
