November 2025 - January 2026

Each year since 2020, ArtsConnect has hosted Artist INC, a professional development fellowship for mid-career artists from all artistic disciplines in and around Topeka.

The exhibit featured engaging and diverse art and great insight into our creative community. This exhibit featured artwork by: Kevin Kelly, Amber Neely, Angela Lexow, Theresa Martin, Jeremy Wangler, Alisha Saucedo, Jennie Ketter, Erika Kjorlie-Geery, Carlos Velez, Yolanda Wilson, Zandra Sneed-Dawkins, Devin Wineinger, Sally Woodson, LeeAnn Skinner, Matthew Hull, Sam Platz, Miranda Easton, Lyman Edwards and Stephanie Kitten.

October 2025

For this exhibit, ArtsConnect brought together the work of more than a dozen local visual artists to thrill and haunt during the month of October. This unique one-month art exhibit featured an eclectic display of 2D and 3D art by the following local artists: DeAnna Rowe, Angela Lexow, Lora Enfield, Theresa Martin, Dorethy Hancock, Joshua Williams, Monique Roberts, Judith White, Jason Jeffery, Ron Reese, Meredith Lewis, Gayle Jennings, Zoriana Lylo-Otkovych, Michelle Naves, Jennie Ketter, Jake Jackson and Janet Akers.

This group exhibit was thrilling, chilling, and we had a lot of fun showing these spooky works!

June/July 2025

This exhibition worked to uncover and illuminate the lesser-known histories, personal narratives, and unique perspectives that shape the Kansas experience. As an open call, all artists were invited to add their own stories as ArtsConnect officially began efforts to build an immersive multi-media cultural map for Topeka.

Artists included in this exhibition are Janet Akers, Jennifer Bohlander, Maryam Hjerstad, Zoriana Lylo-Otkovych, Erika Kjorlie-Geery, Nedra Mitchell, Mary St. John, Becki Waugh and Barbara Waterman-Peters.

April/May 2025

“Reclaiming Home: Remembering the Topeka Bottoms” was an exhibition of maps, photographs and original works of art that center around the stories told as part of a documentary film focused on the memories and experiences of the people who lived in the neighborhood of “The Bottoms” in Topeka before it was destroyed by urban renewal.

Urban Renewal of the 1950s and 1960s, forced more than 3,000 Topekans to leave their homes and businesses in the Bottoms district to make way for a new real estate development and Interstate I-70. Residents experienced a deep sense of loss and detrimental ripple effects up to this date. Today, their stories help us reconstruct the neighborhood and a way of life. We extend our deepest gratitude to them for entrusting us with their memories.

This project was led by artist Maria Velasco and historian Valerie Mendoza. You can view an excerpt of the documentary on Vimeo by clicking here.

February/March 2025

The exhibit was inspired by the poem entitled “Hey Black Child" by Useni Perkins and was focused on highlighting works of art that depict Black children exploring, embodying and celebrating their heritage, their connection to the ancestors and their place in the world. This exhibit featured works of art by: Vivian Bluett, Lynell Diggs, Antoinette Drone, Ofelia Gamez, Phelica Glass, claude harris, Clariece Kirkwood, Sariena Nave, Amber Neely, Denita Robinson, Zandra Sneed-Dawkins, Remy Wharry, Josh “1Thou” Williams and Warren Harvey and was curated by Aisha Imani Sanaa.

December 2024 - January 2025

Each year since 2020, ArtsConnect has hosted Artist INC, a professional development fellowship for mid-career artists from all artistic disciplines in and around Topeka.

The exhibit featured engaging and diverse art and great insight into our creative community. This year's exhibit featured artwork by: Al Woods, Sr., Anamarie Wilkins, Carlos Velez, Christina Lewis, Cindy Kersenbrock, Clair McKay, Devin M. Wineinger, Erika Kjorlie-Geery, Heather Duris, Jean Denney, Jodee Jensen, Jolie Lippitt, Kathy Pflaum, Miranda Easton, Phyllis Klima, Rodney L. Hoover, Sally Woodson, Samantha Morrison, Susan K. Theroff, Susan Poer, Yolanda Wilson and Zandra Sneed-Dawkins.

October/November - 2024

During the months of INKtober (October) and November of 2024, ArtsConnect presented an exhibition of works by Topeka-area tattoo artists. as we host an exciting new exhibition featuring works by Topeka-area tattoo artists Jennifer Bohlander, Ruebee, Lacey Gregory, Felix Knisley, Sara Myer, Anna Smith and Judith White.

Join us on for the First Friday Artwalk on Friday, "Inktober" 4th for an opening reception. This show is only on view for one month, so don't miss your chance to see these amazing works.

Cover graphic features artwork by Ruebee @ruebee.tattoos on IG.

August/September - 2024

This exhibition featured the work of Native American artists working in both traditional and contemporary styles - inviting discussion about environmental justice, water rights, tribal sovereignty, history and culture.

Featured Artists: Talia Sioux Anquoe (Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma/Oglala Lakota), Mona Cliff (Aaiiinh/Nakota), Reuben IronHorse-Kent (Ioway/Otoe/Kickapoo), Lisa LaRue-Baker (Cherokee Nation), Jolie "AmareedTheTruth" Lippitt (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation), Mia Majel (Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians), Konrad Pumpkin Seed* (Oglala Sioux), Kineu Rutledge (Ojibwe/Meskwaki/Dakota), Taiomah Rutledge (Ojibwe/Meskwaki/Dakota), Crystal Wabnum (Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas/Prairie Band Potawatomi), Jessica YoungBird Mitchell (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation & 3 Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota).

*Konrad’s artwork is featured in the event graphic.

June/July - 2024

This exhibit was conceptualized to conicide with the birthday of Ms. Gwendolyn Brooks, who was born in Topeka. This exhibit featured works of poetry displayed in a “broadside” format - at poster size and hung on the wall as you might find a painting.

Poets with work included in this show were: Fred C. Appelhanz, Jailey Barlow, Jaedon Blocker, Tim Bascom, Boyd Bauman, Ian Cook, Dennis Etzel, Jr., José Faus, Jennifer J. Gordon, James Harrel, Duane L. Herrmann, Alex Hounchell, Joan Koromantee, Christina Lewis, Mason Lexow, Jordyn Martin, Ruth Maus, Morgan O.H. McCune, Samantha Morrison, Fruitful Rhema, Maurice Stewart, Carlos Velez, Jamey Warren, Barbara Waterman-Peters, Adam White, Anamarie Wilkins and Yolanda Wilson. Submissions were reviewed by Annette Billings, Dennis Etzel, Jr., Quraysh Ali Lansana and Huascar Medina.

Apr/May - 2024

This exhibit featured artwork about resistance that put a spotlight on the role of artists as agents of change in our society.

Artists featured in this show included Vivian Bluett, Nicole Colunga, Becky Drager, Miranda Easton, Harvey Flowers, Lisa LaRue-Baker (Cherokee Nation), Leonard LeDoux, Jr., Angela Lexow, Julian Mace, Azyz Sharafy, Zandra Sneed-Dawkins, Michael V. Toombs and Jeremy Wangler.

Nov/Dec 2023 - Jan 2024

This exhibit, entitled “Playing Favorites” invited area artists to show their own personal favorite works. Featuring artwork by Amy Allen, Michael Bradley, Leslie Carson Wolfe, Naomi Cashman, Meaghan Conant, Becky Drager, Sharon Easterling, Miranda Easton, Lyman Edwards, Meredith Field, Sarah Fizell, Harvey Flowers, Doug Frye, Jonah Graf, Ash Grubb, Michael Hooper, Rodney L. Hoover, Reuben IronHorse-Kent (Ioway/Otoe/Kickapoo), Jodee Jensen, Cindy Kersenbrock, Jennie Ketter, Angela Lexow, Kristine Luber, Seuss Mace, Theresa Martin, Michael Mize, Larry Peters, Jancy Pettit, Daniel Priest III, Konrad Pumpkin Seed (Oglala Sioux), Bernadette Robbins, Aisha Imani Sanaa, Azyz Sharafy, Zandra Sneed-Dawkins, Hi Stockwell, Tyler Thornton, Barbara Waterman-Peters, Becki Waugh, Lesa Weller and Janet Zoble.

Nov/Dec 2023 - Jan 2024

This exhibit, entitled “Playing Favorites” invited area artists to show their own personal favorite works. Featuring artwork by Amy Allen, Michael Bradley, Leslie Carson Wolfe, Naomi Cashman, Meaghan Conant, Becky Drager, Sharon Easterling, Miranda Easton, Lyman Edwards, Meredith Field, Sarah Fizell, Harvey Flowers, Doug Frye, Jonah Graf, Ash Grubb, Michael Hooper, Rodney L. Hoover, Reuben IronHorse-Kent (Ioway/Otoe/Kickapoo), Jodee Jensen, Cindy Kersenbrock, Jennie Ketter, Angela Lexow, Kristine Luber, Seuss Mace, Theresa Martin, Michael Mize, Larry Peters, Jancy Pettit, Daniel Priest III, Konrad Pumpkin Seed (Oglala Sioux), Bernadette Robbins, Aisha Imani Sanaa, Azyz Sharafy, Zandra Sneed-Dawkins, Hi Stockwell, Tyler Thornton, Barbara Waterman-Peters, Becki Waugh, Lesa Weller and Janet Zoble.

Sept/Oct - 2023

During September & October, ArtsConnect presented an exhibition of artworks by ten artists who are members of federally recognized tribal nations. These thought-provoking works center on contemporary social/environmental issues as well as Native cultural traditions. This show was made possible with the generous support of Lisa LaRue-Baker (Cherokee Nation), The Do Pi Ka Project, Tonantzin Society, Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Artists featured in this exhibit were: Mona Cliff (Aaniiih/Nakota), Lisa LaRue-Baker (Cherokee Nation), Reuben IronHorse-Kent (Ioway/Otoe/Kickapoo), Travis Komahcheet (Comanche/Otoe), Troy Komahcheet (Comanche), Jolie Lippitt (Potawatomi Nation), Kent Miller (Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska/Assinnaboine Sioux), Jessica Young Bird Mitchell (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation & Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota) and Konrad Pumpkin Seed (Oglala Lakota).

July/August - 2023

This exhibit featured artwork by 33 artists who have participated in the Artist INC Topeka program in 2021, 2022 or 2023 as an artist, peer facilitator or administrator.

Amy Allen, Kim Brook, Jean Denney, Lyman Edwards, Matthew Filby, Sarah Fizell, Harvey Flowers, Jonah Graf, Ash Grubb, Jodee Jensen, Cindy Kersenbrock, Erika Kjorlie Geery, Phyll Klima, Allison Koerner-Smith, Lisa LaRue-Baker (Cherokee Nation), Angela Lexow, Theresa Martin, Xavier Martinez, Tiena Nazzaro, Laura Odell, Paul Rudy, Alisha Saucedo, Jose Saucedo, Zandra Sneed-Dawkins, Susan Theroff, Jeremy Wangler, Becki Waugh, Lesa Weller and Kelly Yarbrough.

April/May/June - 2023

A juried exhibition of works by students from the WU School of Art and featured works in a variety of disciplines and subject matter. This exhibit was juried by Ruben Bryan Castillo.

Feb/March - 2023

This exhibit was been made possible by Living the Dream, Inc. and the Topeka Chapter of the LINKS, Inc. Featuring artwork submitted by K-12 students as part of the Living the Dream Art Contest as well as artists Alisha Saucedo, Aisha Imani Sanaa, Jordan Brooks, Oshara Meesha and Zandra Sneed-Dawkins.

Nov/Dec/Jan - 2022/2023

This exhibition showcased digital and 3D works from 22 students from the digital painting and 3D design courses at Washburn University.

Apr/May - 2022

ArtsConnect hosted a multimedia performance & installation of artwork by Topeka artist Tina Brackman. The installation was on view for the First Friday Artwalk in April and May of 2022. The installation opened and closed with performances of the work by the artist.

Apr/May - 2022

ArtsConnect hosted a multimedia performance & installation of artwork by Topeka artist Tina Brackman. The installation was on view for the First Friday Artwalk in April and May of 2022. The installation opened and closed with performances of the work by the artist.

Apr/May - 2022

ArtsConnect hosted a multimedia performance & installation of artwork by Topeka artist Tina Brackman. The installation was on view for the First Friday Artwalk in April and May of 2022. The installation opened and closed with performances of the work by the artist.