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Welcome to my blog. I document my adventures in travel, style, and food. Hope you have a nice stay!

First Friday Artwalk & Shopping Guide

Warehouse 414 (414 SE 2nd): Join us for the annual Family Service & Guidance Center Works of Heart exhibit at Warehouse 414! This is the most unique stop on the artwalk all year, and it’s part of the exciting build-up to the big 10th anniversary FSGC Works of Heart Event! View amazing art created by 18 FSGC clients ages four to 17 alongside pieces donated by professional artists from across the Midwest. All art will be up for bid at the 10th annual FSGC WORKS OF HEART Event on August 19. Snacks & wine are complimentary so come join the fun! We are located just east of 2nd & Madison at 414 SE Second St. You can also view the exhibit during our regular hours: Tues-Sat from 11a-5:30p. FFAW hours are 5:30-8:30p.

Topeka Habitat for Humanity & ReStore (121 NE Gordon) is excited to join the Noto Arts District! Join us for our Grand Opening on August 5th. We will have refreshments all day to celebrate. The ReStore sells home improvement items and furniture to benefit THFH. It's a great place to shop for your next upcycled project while benefiting your community!Regular hours are Mon-Sat from 9a-6p and 9a-8p on First Fridays!

Yeldarb Gallery (909 N Kansas): Doug Frye exhibits "Water on Wood by Knife". Moving water inspired him to use a palette knife to interpret light and reflections. He paints flowing water scapes of rivers, streams and creeks on wood. Doug explores the flowing element of water presented on earthy unfinished wood. The underlying wood tone can be seen through the oil paint helping create the mood of the painting. Also visit artists in Batperch Studio in the back of Yeldarb. Our regular hours are Wed-Fri from 10a-6p and Sat 10a-5p. FFAW hours are 5:30-8:30p.

NexLynx (123 SW 6th, 2nd Fl): Discover Art Downtown and enter for a chance to win two free tickets to Brew at the Zoo on September 24th and appreciate the diverse photography of Tom Stubbs. Starting as a black and white photographer, Tom learned early on the importance of good composition. Tom's subject matter is quite eclectic. His style is clean and impactful. He has won several local awards and has been published nationally. Snacks, soda, beer and wine provided. 5-8p. Instagram: @nexlynxgallery

Vintage Vibe (833 N Kansas) will feature "Rural Rust!" Rural Rust is a farmhouse and vintage revival featuring items that take us back home down the rural roads. Fluff your nest for fall with some farmhouse charm! August's spotlight item will feature a NEW! product at Vintage Vibe, called Farmhouse Fresh. Farmhouse Fresh features lotions and sugar scrubs. Just wait until you smell the Whoopie Pie hand cream! Complete your shopping with a great piece of art from one of our three artists! Summer Brew and Original Savory Crackers will be served from 5-9p on FFAW. August 7th will be our last Sunday Market this year, but you can still shop weekly on Weds-Sat. FFAW hours are 10a-9p. Instagram: @vintagevibetopeka

Mulvane Art Museum (1700 SW Jewell) has the following exceptional exhibits currently on view and hours for the FFAW are 5-7:30p.

  • "Zak Barnes: At Home in Bazaar," closes Sept. 3
  • "Klassics for Kids," closes Sept. 3
  • "Estamos Aqui [We Are Here]," closes August 13
  • "Bud Holman Retrospective," closes Oct. 22

Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site (1515 SE Monroe): Celebrating the 100th birthday of America's National Parks, Brown v. Board of Education NHS will be showcasing an art, pottery, and jewelry exhibit that depicts the collaboration between the Native American and African American cultures. The exhibits will highlight the history of a shared heritage which is often omitted, but not forgotten. A Tale of Two Nations examines the joint effort of both tribes in shaping the history of our nation. 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Instagram: @brvb_nhs

MB Piland Advertising + Marketing LLC (3121 SW Huntoon) presents See the Good, a one-of-kind photo exhibition in the historic Westboro Mart. In July, we sent out more than 100 disposable cameras to our partners and friends and asked them to document the good they see in the world. All of the work will be on display, with special awards presented for outstanding pieces. We are honored to have Sarah Fizell of ArtsConnect, Ralph Hipp from WIBW and Rev. Barry Feaker from Topeka Rescue Mission as our judges. We invite you to #SeetheGood and join us from 5 –7 pm. Instagram: @mbpiland

Topeka Art Guild and Gallery (5331 SW 22nd Place - Fairlawn Plaza) opens a new summer exhibit for August as we continue to celebrate 100 years of art. Art works on display by our community of artists include beautiful landscapes, stills, animals and more in all media. We have glass works, jewelry, and miniature paintings suitable for sending. New in our gallery are ceramics in a variety of colors and styles. During August we host art work by honorable mention scholarship winner from Washburn Rural High School, Aric Zillinger. Join us every First Friday for food and drink, west side of Fairlawn Mall. Our regular hours are Wednesday-Saturday, 11:00-5:00. FFAW hours are 5-8p.

The Tasteful Olive Topeka (2900A SW Oakley - Brookwood Shopping Center): We are strutting our stuff in NOTO now that Yeldarb Gallery is now selling our oils, vinegars and more! Visit them in NOTO during the artwalk and in Brookwood Shopping Center the rest of the time. They have over 65 olive oils and balsamic vinegars to sample before you buy. Also coconut oil, olives, pastas, sauces, pestos, bruschettas, tapenades, spice blends, sea salts, loose leaf teas. Tues-Thurs from 10:30a-5:30p and Sat from 10:30a-4p. FFAW hours are 3-8:30p.

Matryoshka Tattoo (902 N Kansas) will have a live painting exhibit by our featured artist Stacy Swann and owner Jennifer Bohlander. Watch art come to life as these ladies create something beautiful right before your eyes. Stacy will have originals for sale and Jennifer will have prints available for purchase. Dance your way to the back patio for amazing sounds of dynamic and emotionally driven soul, rhythm and blues of Smith & Liston Tuesday-Saturday 10-6 PM. First Friday 10-9 PM. Instagram: @notomatryoshka

STUDIO 831 (831 North Kansas Ave): Gwen McClain is our Featured Artist for August with an exhibit entitled "Everyday moments." Our world appears to be a more dangerous and frightening place. Daily, the news and social media offers tragic scenes of innocent people being killed by senseless acts of violence. Without a doubt it's important to know what is happening in our world, but we are also surrounded by beauty and goodness. When we focus on the present moment, the Here and Now, we can change how we feel and act. We actually live on a wonderful and absolutely amazing planet. This group of art works illustrates the ordinary and "everyday moments" of life. 4-8:30p.

712 Innovations (712 S. Kansas Ave) is a CoWork & MakerSpace small business incubator for Topeka and Shawnee County, Kansas. Our membership includes 24/7 access to the facility and equipment. Enjoy free classes and working with our 712 business partners. We have three faculties now. Karen Christilles is our Executive Director, David Corr is the Equipment Manager and Shuhan Stallard is the Receptionist. Take a tour today and experience how you can take the next step to make your dreams a reality. 9a-5p.

Beauchamp's Gallery (3113 SW Huntoon): First Friday brings a new exhibit to Beauchamp’s Gallery entitled Floral Attraction. Covering the gallery walls will be a variety of floral paintings by many artists including Barbara Waterman Peters, Bev Radefeld, Deb Clemente, Greg Nelson, Max Streckenbach, Bobbie Rieger and others. Featured will be series of vintage decorative floral panels by Rebecca Wright. The exhibit can be seen through the month of August. FFAW hours are 5:30-8:30p.

Alice C. Sabatini Gallery (1515 SW 10th) features Still Me: Watercolor Expressions by Individuals with Memory Loss. The paintings in this exhibit were created during Memories in the Making©, a program of the Alzheimer’s Association. Though words may become difficult and many abilities fade, each person has a lifetime of experiences that can find expression through art. This exhibition will be on display in the Sabatini Gallery through October 9, 2016. FFAW hours are 5-8p.

Discover Nature Gallery (1100 SE Rice Rd): Don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to meet Award Winning Astronomy Park Ranger Matt Dieterich whose image was selected for the National Park Service 100th Anniversary Commemorative Stamp issued June 2, 2016 in New York City. He will be interviewed by Ralph Hipp Thursday afternoon, August 4 on the Red Couch. Matt will be at Discover Nature Gallery Friday afternoon and evening to share with you his enthusiasm for the Dark Skies over America. There are a number of giclee images matted and framed on display at Discover Nature Gallery or you may view them at www.discovernaturegallery.com under Guest Artist. These images are ready to take home and enjoy. At the close of the gallery he will be conducting a workshop in the dark skies over Kansas. Call 785-234-3219 today to make your reservations for the workshop! Hours are 10a-5p daily. FFAW are 10a-7p.

Valeo Behavioral Health Care - Creations of Hope Gallery (909 N Kansas - Upstairs at Yeldarb) proudly presents Rise: Female Empowerment Through Art featuring artists Dottie Cobb, Mary St. John, & Patricia Pickering. Three artists present a journey through multi-faceted layers, textures, bold colors and photography chronicles that showcase personal growth and healing, societal change, self-esteem and resiliency in recovery. Opening reception from 5-8p. Gallery hours are Weds.-Fri. from 10a-6p and Saturday from 10a-5p. Creations of Hope gallery is a collaborative space for artists experiencing mental illness to show and sell their artwork while also advocating for mental illness awareness. 5-8p. Instagram at: @creationsofhopegallery

Kaw River Rustics (901 N Kansas): If you haven't been in Kaw River Rustics yet, be sure to stop in this month to view our gallery full of local artists artwork and their unique spaces. Within the stone walls of 901 N. Kansas are glass artists, wood carvings, textiles, colored pencil artwork, photography, Indian jewelry, natural wood décor, homemade soaps and beauty products, natural oils and blends, rustic furniture, vintage advertising, antiques, retro, glassware, and prints for framing. If that is not enough, KRRG is now offering printing, mating, framing and laminating services to preserve your visual art. Don't forget our public space with Wi-Fi and projection system for group events. Studio space is another option if you are looking for a working space that doubles as a retail space. With over 40 businesses and growing, NOTO is a great place with something for everyone FFAW hours 9-9.

Glaciers Edge Winery (1636 SE 85th in Wakarusa): Spend your Friday evening at the winery and try samples of our new releases: Quartzite and Alluvium. Enjoy wine and slushie by the pour or a bottle of wine and watch the sunset from the porch or patio. Food or Snacks welcome to enjoy alongside a glass of your favorite Glaciers Edge beverage! (Only alcohol produced at Glaciers Edge Winery is able to be consumed on our property; guests consuming alcohol must be at least 21 years old .) We are on the south side of Topeka, 1.7 miles E of Topeka Blvd on 85th St. 4-8:30p.

Two Wolves Studio & Artist Den (824 N Kansas, 2nd Floor): Mike Smith will be the August featured artist at Two Wolves. A Topeka native, he first began receiving recognition for his artwork during his high school years. The works of this self-taught artist have since been well-received in multiple countries. Mike prefers to create most of his artwork late at night, as his family sleeps & his creative mind takes flight. Utilizing multiple mediums, he blends reality with surrealism. The results are as uniquely compelling as the artist himself! 5-9pm. Instagram: @two_wolves_studio

Soho Interiors (3129 SW Huntoon): The unveiling of T. R. (Tim) Bauer's, "Stone's Folly - The Calm Before the Storm," will be the attraction this First Friday at Soho Interiors. Join us at 6:30p sharp for the unveiling. Stay for the artist talk as he enlightens us of the religious and historical significance behind the masterpiece. There will be other pieces of his on display as well. Tim received his BFA from Washburn University and has worked as a Hallmark artist, motion picture art director for film making, and spent many years as an executive design director on the east coast. It is thinkable to imagine his inspiration by the likes of Birger Sandzen, or Van Gogh. 6-8:30p.

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