By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
Every year, the Hays Arts Council’s Spring Art Walk brings hundreds to downtown Hays to explore a variety of art from artist across the region and beyond.
And after a year of canceled or adjusted events in light of the ongoing pandemic, the event will go on this year in an exciting new format and on a new day of the week.
“Even in these strange times, we still have been carrying on here with a lot of amazing a wonderful things,” said HAC executive director Brenda Meder.
Included among the variety of ongoing programming available online and in the HAC gallery, she said the Spring Art Walk — anchored by the 52nd annual Smoky Hill Art Competition and Exhibition, “That great, big, wonderfully juried show that we do each year” — will go on, with some considerations for safety.
That exhibition is the longest-running judged fine arts competition in the state, with this year’s works selected by art curator and Strecker Nelson Gallery owner Jay Nelson.
The most notable change to the Art Walk this year is likely the shift from Friday to Saturday.
Meder said she knows there is a lot of enthusiasm for the traditional Friday night event.
“Which is normally very exciting and fun,” she said. “But at this time that is not in the community's best interest.”
But by having extended hours through a full day, rather than a short time frame Friday night, the change allows for attendees to space out and have the time to enjoy the joy, without as much concern for the number of people together in a confined space, especially those stopping to see the Smoky Hill exhibition.
“We want to give everybody a chance, a time to feel enjoying that,” Meder said.
With the change the Art Walk is set to run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 1.
“So, we are spreading out what we would do in a three to three and a half hour evening, into a six-hour day,” Meder said.
For safety concerns, the regular food and drinks offerings that would accompany the exhibitions will also be curtailed.
Despite the changes, Meder is confident participants will still have an amazing experience taking in the exhibitions as well as exploring downtown Hays.
“It will be a great day for all of these amazing eating and dining establishments, eateries, bistros and coffee shops we have here in downtown Hays now,” Meder said. “People can truly spend the entire day, and you don’t have to give up the wonderful little hospitality aspect. You can go to the restaurants then and give yourself a mask break and really enjoy the day.”
While many of the details are still being worked out, she said a live drum circle is planned as well as an outdoor concert in the downtown pavilion.
“It will be a great day to spend an entire day in downtown Hays,” Meder said.
While preparations for the Art Walk are underway, artist from across the state still have time to enter the Smoky Hill competition.
All artists living within the state can submit work not previously displayed at the Hays Arts Council and produced in the last two years.
The preliminary selection will be completed from photographic submission, for both two- and three-dimensional works, with no restriction on form.
“Any art form possible — it is very likely you will find it in the Smoky Hill exhibit,” Meder said.
Cash awards totaling, $2,750 will be given out during the competition.
While the Smoky Hill exhibition will likely draw a crowd to the Arts Council, Meder said there is an opportunity to view incredible work from Fort Hays State University artists, with Fortitude and Persistence.
“Right now, an incredible representation of all things art and design from Fort Hays State University,” Meder said. The show represents work from graduate students, faculty as well as selected undergrads.
The works also represent a variety of media, including painting, ceramics, photography and digital media from the graphic design department.
“There is a wonderful video that is on a loop continuing to run with (works) from different marketing, branding and design projects they are working on, as well as the animation program that got started at Fort Hays, through the Graphic Design program,” Meder said.
Exhibitions like this one, are especially important now, as the students have dealt with working remotely, with far fewer opportunities to showcase their work as COVID precautions were in place.
“It’s a very comprehensive exhibition, but it is truly an impressive overview of the Fort Hays State University Department of Art and Design,” Meder said.
Fortitude and Persistance is scheduled to be exhibited until April 22.
The organization also maintains a presence on social media, including Facebook.