One of the premiere events happening this Final Friday is the grand re-opening of WSU Shift Space.
The School of Art and Design’s student gallery has left its spot in Old Town to join Wichita’s professional galleries on Commerce Street. Gallery Director and Multi-Media Artist Lisa Rundstrom made the decision to move to a more contemporary context-- one where non-traditional exhibitions and experimental art can thrive. In its new location, Shift Space will have serious exposure and the opportunity to actively engage with the community.
Rundstrom wastes no time putting this into effect for the gallery’s debut exhibition: “Shifting Spaces: Commerce Street Homecoming.” Inside the Main Gallery, artist Beth Post will be featured along with special guest artists Kristin Beal and Bob Burdette. In a common area just outside of the gallery, wearable art created by area high school students will be on display. The theme “Capes, Masks, and Tights” unifies these two exhibitions.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. with WSU mascot WuShock there to celebrate. Following the ribbon cutting, the Wichita Prose Collective will have a Live Kamikaze Poetry Event and the Ulrich Museum will bring the nationally touring Sketchbook Project Mobile Library.
This Final Friday event announces that the new kid on the block is showing up in style. But after the debut spectacle is over, it will be interesting to see how Shift Space contributes to the Commerce Street art scene.
