Every first Friday of the month in Wichita, Kansas, artists and art lovers pour themselves into galleries to welcome new art shows. These art shows, labeled as First Fridays, exhibit new artwork to the public. Art House 310, a local gallery, is famous not only for its free First Friday exhibitions but also for displaying a diverse range of artwork and celebrating up-and-coming artists. The canvas is never left white.

Art House 310, located at 310 S. Laura in downtown Wichita, is one of the key players in the city’s art scene. Owners, Angie Evans and Brew Lucky, open their gallery to all artists.

Wichita has a thriving arts scene with more talent than one might imagine

Evans said in an email

“One of our core missions at Art House 310 is to be a space for visual artists that encourages emerging artists to start their art exhibition career alongside seasoned artists, from whom they can learn valuable lessons…. We believe some of the best talent is right in our own backyard.”

Each show offers something new to see, whether it be the medium, subject, artist’s level, technique or such. These ever-changing factors create momentum for the next show. Serving as a palette cleanser for art enthusiasts until the next First Friday. The canvas is never left white. 

For November’s First Friday, Art House 310 will have a dual artist show with artists, Serena Salerno and Deber (Emmanuel Campos Perez), exhibiting their artworks until the last Wednesday of the month. The exhibit will showcase paintings from Salerno and graffiti murals from Deber. Despite the artists’ different styles, the show was a success mesh of the two distinctive styles.

Outside of the building through its large windows, passersby have a peek into what’s inside. Walking straight into the gallery, attendees’ eyes are captured by Salerno’s acrylic painting, “Under the Sea”. At 5-by-4 feet, “Under the Sea” is a vibrant painting of marine life. At the center of the piece is a yellow rubber duck with a pearly bubble in its mouth. Sitting inside an iridescent clam shell, the duck is surrounded by two bright blue dolphins and three purple seahorses. Light shimmers down from the upper right corner, revealing the marine scenery of colorful corals. “Under the Sea” has a whimsical, playful mood, a reflection of Salerno’s body of work. Salerno explains in her artist statement.

Through my paintings, I want to offer a joyful escape where colors and shapes come together to celebrate the wonder of nature

Salerno said in her artist statement published on downtown Wichita’s website

“My goal is to connect with viewers and make them see the natural world in a fresh, vibrant, life.”

Salerno offers this “joyful escape” with each painting in the exhibit. Salerno’s bright marine paintings contrast with Deber’s stylistic graffiti murals creating a compelling show. Attendees experience this playful contrast throughout their visit when viewing Deber’s works.

Deber’s work and artistic purpose differ from Salerno’s, notably in his artist statement. “My artwork is abstracted personal storytelling,” Deber said in his artist statement published on Downtown Wichita’s website. “A mix of mediums, mainly spray paint and acrylics. Graffiti art permeates all my work, and the themes I try to communicate with it. I try to convey a feeling more than a straightforward message.” 

Deber’s piece, “Abandon Reality”, reflects his artist purpose. The painting is a mix of spray paint and acrylics of a hand emerging from water. Deber’s execution of this simple prompt captivates eyes with its graffiti background and striking color. This piece invokes an abysmal feeling with its chaotic, sprayed background, submerged by gentle water where the hand is escaping from, creating an unsettling ambience.

To me Art is not means to an end, is the end itself,

Deber said.

As eyes and feet move around the gallery, each wall is full. The artists had a goal of exhibiting in the whole gallery. When their third artist abruptly cancelled, the two painted to the end. Salerno and Deber overcame every obstacle to make this show possible, forming a close friendship. The two also developed a close relationship with the Art House 310 owners, Evans and Lucky, while preparing for the show.

“We got to know the owners when we asked for permission to paint all the murals around their property. They liked our artwork, and we asked to be part of their gallery shows for this year. The experience specifically at the gallery has been awesome,” Deber said via Instagram DMs.

As the end of November approaches so is the end of this First Friday exhibit. Art House 310 is about to part with another successful show. However, despite the happy experience at the Art House, Salerno and Deber can’t say the same for the rest of Wichita’s art scene. “The art scene in Wichita could be improved,” Salerno said via Instagram DMs.

I would like to see more murals and more free open wall space…. I know Wichita has good shows, but we need more diversity in artists selected for city projects…. We also need less Wichita flags and more creativity.

Salerno said.

Wichita still struggles to showcase diverse artists like Art House 310 has. Artists have much to say about Wichita’s shortcomings in embracing newcomers and ideas. However, Wichita is slowly changing with Art House 310’s addition to the city’s art scene. In its short 5 years, many up-and-coming artists have displayed their work, unlike before. Despite all art finds a way – the canvas is never left white.