By ALIN HETT
Hays Post
The Hays Arts Council is inviting the community to celebrate the season through art during its Summer Art Walk and the opening of the "Seasons of Summer" exhibition on Friday.
Hays Arts Council Executive Director Chandler Reich and Board President Brittney Squire on the Hays Post Podcast said the event is free and open to the public and will feature a variety of artistic experiences throughout downtown Hays and on the Fort Hays State University campus.
“For someone who has never attended an art walk, they will start by coming downtown and picking up the schedule at the Hays Arts Council and enjoying our feature exhibit,” Reich said. “The feature exhibit is a very colorful summer exhibit, and then they'll start to head out to all the other locations.”
The "Seasons of Summer" exhibition showcases works by artists from across Kansas, highlighting different interpretations of summer through a range of artistic styles and mediums. The exhibition serves as the centerpiece of the Summer Art Walk, which runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
“Students will come out and display their work and lots of artists will collaborate with downtown businesses to display their work,” Reich said. “We also collaborate with the FHSU campus, and we will include some of their galleries as well.”
Visitors can explore multiple venues during the evening. The Hays Arts Council Annex, 1010 Main, will host the "Seasons of Summer" exhibition.
At the Hays Public Library's Schmidt Gallery, guests can view "Broken Brides" by Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services. Additional exhibits and activities at the library include artwork by Jordan Brown, a raffle featuring original James Hahn artwork, with the proceeds going to the Cancer Council and a book signing with Jeanne Riedel.
The Ellis County Historical Society will feature several exhibits, including "Pete Felten: A Legacy Carved in Stone," "Building Life & Home on the Prairie," and the Sternberg Antique Firearms collection.
Besides looking at all the art that Ellis County has to offer, there will be hands-on activities for attendees such as chalk art at the Downtown Pavillion and music at the Paisley Pear.
Reich said there will be more than just art, there will be literary artwork and live performances from artists.
“The mission of the Hays Arts Council is the visual, literary and performing arts,” Reich said. “There will be a performance at Breathe Coffee House by Alex Underwood.”
Reich also said the Summer Art Walk is special because the walk will happen in the evening rather than the day. Reich said the art walk will have a different vibe than other art walks put on.
The Summer Art Walk is presented by the Hays Arts Council with support from the Hays Convention & Visitors Bureau, Regeena's Flowers & Events and Northwestern Printers.
A full list of events is listed below.
