Author: Theresa Mott

In collaboration with Student Activities Council — and in conjunction with the exhibition “With, Not For: Centering Community, Connection, and Identity” on view through June 3 at the Ulrich Museum of Art — the community is invited to celebrate creativity with Wichita-based collage artist Kinta McGhee. Create two sets of mini collage magnets from everyday scraps, keep one and swap one on the Community Magnet Wall. The event takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 11 at the Ulrich Museum.

A silent disco with a live DJ will be hosted by Harvester Arts. Guests who wish to participate in the silent disco must present their driver’s license or Shocker ID in order to borrow headphones. Complimentary treats will be sponsored by SAC, including hot cocoa, cookies, a cheese board, savory party mix and spinach artichoke dip.

The free, all-ages community event is for everyone: families, students, friends, couples and anyone who loves to create.

School of Performing Arts students in the Improvisation for Actors classes will perform their midterm show from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10 in the Polk/Wilson Gallery at the Ulrich Museum of Art.

Improv — short for improvisational theater — is a form of live, unscripted performance where actors create scenes, characters, dialogues and stories on the spot. Unlike traditional theater, there is no script and everything is made up in real-time, often using suggestions from the audience.

From the classes, taught by Kate Compton, assistant professor, two troupes will perform: Absolute Improv and Wu’s Line is it Anyway? 

Everyone is welcome at this free event.

Multimedia artist Taiomah Rutledge (Ojibwe, Meskawaki, and Dakota) is a co-founder of the Warclan Collective. His art explores themes of identity, generational memory, and reclamation of cultural space.

Come to the Ulrich Museum of Art for a free artist talk at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 5 about his exhibition, “Taiomah Rutledge: Origins/Evolutions,” on view through July 25. The works in this exhibition, (the first in the “In Place” series, which focuses on Wichita-based artists), exemplify the evolution of Rutledge’s practice and highlight his role as both artist and cultural advocate.

All educators are invited to unwind and get creative during this special teacher appreciation event Saturday, Feb. 28. Start at the Ulrich Museum of Art at 3 p.m. and enjoy an art activity inspired by current exhibitions, play art bingo, munch on charcuterie and enter a drawing to win a variety of fun prizes.

At 4:30 p.m. continue the celebration with fellow teachers at Kirby’s Beer Store. Enjoy a beer special just for teachers: $4 drafts (five to choose from) with your faculty ID or teacher ID.

RSVPs are requested (to help planners be prepared with enough supplies) but not required. Guests of all ages are welcome for the first part of this event at the Ulrich. The Kirby’s visit is 21 and over only.

Poetry Out Load is a national arts education program that encourages high school students to learn about poetry through recitation, memorization and competition. Everyone is welcome at this free event beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 in the Polk/Wilson Gallery at the Ulrich Museum of Art.

Come listen and support as students perform in this regional event for the opportunity to go to the state competition.

Help the Ulrich Museum of Art launch its spring exhibitions — If Not For: Centering Community, Connection, and Identity; Anne Samat: Avatars; SYMBOLS OF GREATNESS: Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History; and In Place | Taiomah Rutledge: Origins/Evolutions with cultural performances, a cash bar, tasty treats and the company of art-minded friends. The event takes place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29 at the Ulrich.

The theme of this party, which takes place on Kansas Day, is Ad Astra. Guests are encouraged to dress in blue and silver in tribute to the glorious stars that light up our vast night sky.

Ulrich Executive and Artistic Director Vivian Zavataro will present welcoming remarks at 6 p.m. Brothers Taiomah and Kineu Rutledge of Warclan Collective will demonstrate drumming with their family drum at 6:10 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. The drum acts as a tool for healing, bringing communities together, and upholding cultural traditions. Everyone is welcome at this free event.

The Ulrich Museum of Art looks forward to welcoming Anna Tsouhlarakis (Muscogee Creek and Greek), citizen of the Navajo Nation and a multimedia artist whose works of sculpture, collage, installation, video and performance challenge and redefine the boundaries of the aesthetic and conceptual expectations within work created by Native American artists.

Tsouhlarakis, born in Lawrence, Kansas, and currently based in Boulder, Colorado, will speak about her work starting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 in 210 McKnight Art Center. Everyone is welcome at this free event.

You’re invited to a free, all-ages celebration. Inspired by family gatherings from his youth, artist Justin Favela brings this tradition to life in a joyful community event from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15.

Sample traditional Mexican food by Las Delicias. Create a flower crown and mini piñatas. Enjoy a performance by Raíces De Mi Tierra Ballet Folklorico. Play games and dance to music by DJ Ash Aranda. Students from Wichita East will be offering aguas frescas and accepting donations.

This is a great opportunity to experience “Everything Must Go! Justin Favela’s Closeout Blowout Re-Grand Opening” in the Beren Gallery. Piñatas from that exhibition will be for sale at this event with proceeds going toward student scholarships.

Take a spooky art tour and mingle with fellow art enthusiasts for art-making activities from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30 at the Ulrich Ulrich Museum of Art. Afterward, the art discussion continues at Kirby’s, 3227 E. 17th, with social time, a convivial beverage and a gyro or pizza if you’re so inclined. Dress up and compete in the costume contest and take a swing at pumpkin pinatas. Must be 21+ to attend this event.

Peek beyond the veil at the pop-up exhibition on view at the Ulrich Museum or Art through Saturday, Nov. 1, featuring works from the museum’s permanent collection. The exhibition is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Dr. Sam & Jacque Kouri Collection Study Center.

Especially for the Halloween season, Taryn Trapani, Ulrich registrar, selected prints, paintings and photographs that celebrate the moody, the mysterious and the allure of the unknown. Ghost sightings are possible, and costumes are encouraged. Everyone is welcome, and admission is free.