Community Calendar

Pick up a curated monthly book box! The box will include a book to borrow and return, a book to keep at home, and other goodies on a monthly reading theme. Registration is required; go to www.wichitalibrary.org/events to register!

Children ages 2 and under will develop a love of learning as they sing, dance, and enjoy simple stories. Caregivers will learn tips to encourage their child's early learning development. Please note this event will not take place on 11/29.

Thrift Finds: Thrifted Treasures from the Museum’s Collection

Museums acquire objects in many ways, including purchases from thrift stores. Thrift stores sell donated used or second-hand items to the public at moderate prices, often as a way to support charitable organizations or causes. By promoting green practices, encouraging the re-use of items, and providing funds and services to underserved audiences, thrift stores support the community in important ways – and you never know what you’ll find at a thrift store!

Originally created as a companion to September 2024’s traveling exhibit Thrift Style, Thrift Finds features thrifted treasures from the Museum’s Permanent Collection and will be on view until February 2025.

September 2024 – February 2025

Tues-Fri 11am-4pm, Sat & Sun 1-5pm

Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum – 204 S Main

Located in the Lois Kay Walls Gallery – 3rd Floor.

Grab a bite to eat or a cup of coffee for this online lunch-time virtual chat, open-access session with Bonita Gooch, Editor-in-Chief of The Community Voice. 
Friday, July 7, 12:00pm-1:00pm
We'll talk about community issues, ideas for stories, your likes or dislikes about the paper or anything else.It's our chance to hear from our readers. We care what you think! We'll share what we know!! This event happens on the first Friday of each month, just register and on the Thursday before the event we will email you the link to join in the webinar.

AARP Kansas, Urban League of Kansas, and AT&T are offering a series of in-person classes on digital literacy for participants 50 and older. These courses will cover Smartphones, social media, telehealth, fraud protection, and more.

Join a classic high fantasy Dungeons & Dragons campaign! New participants are welcome, but this campaign is designed for experienced players. For ages 13-18. Call (316) 350-3261 to register. This program will not take place on November 29.

Learn the world's most popular role-playing game in this introductory level program. Make a character, combat and magic, use your character abilities and more! Ages 13-18. Call (316) 350-3261 to register.

This exhibition will feature artworks by ceramic artists, Marko Fields & Diego Valles!

We hope you will join us for our opening reception on First Friday, November 1st from 5:00pm – 8:00pm!

The Envision Arts Gallery in partnership with the US Department of Veterans Affairs is proud to present "Reflections: Seeing Beyond the Surface".

This collaborative exhibit will showcase work created by Envision and Veteran artists and authors, creatively answering the question, "How you wish to be seen."

Join us for First Friday at the Envision Arts Gallery on November 1st from 5:00 - 8:00 PM to celebrate this exhibition.
Throughout the evening you can meet the artists, experience their artwork, and participate in art activities inspired by the exhibition.

First Friday, November 1st
5:00 - 8:00 PM
801 E. Douglas Ave, Suite 106
Wichita, Kansas 67202
The Envision Arts Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00-1:00 PM).
Free and open to the public
On display October 4th - November 9th in the Patricia A. Peer Window Gallery and Main Gallery.

Featured artist for the month of November is Pam Hayes. The title of her show is: "Letting Go." An exhibition showing her recent Alcohol Ink Landscape Paintings. Also showing is local ceramist Dan Gegen.

The opening reception is from 6-9 pm on First Friday November 1st. The artworks will be on display till November 30th.

Normal Gallery 12 hours are Tuesday to Saturday Noon to 6 pm. The gallery is open and free to the public.

Pam's Artist Statement:
The power and rhythm of the living land is my inspiration. I enjoy painting and drawing landscapes with a variety of media. Occasionally I use my own photos for reference, but I also find that imagination can be useful in composing landscapes. The variety of color, line and shape found in nature is as intriguing and as stimulating as a song or a poem. The vocabulary for these disciplines is quite similar. For example, the terms "composition", "rhythm" and "movement" apply to both music and art. It is through the visual representation of land and sky that I feel a connection to the world. Peace and joy can be found by trying to describe in two dimensions a vision of the real land.

Avatar: The Last Airbender In Concert presents a live orchestral rendition of the series’ iconic soundtrack, paired with a two-hour special recap of the animated series’ three seasons displayed on a full-size cinema screen. The projection will feature the original dialogue and sound effects without any pre-recorded music, allowing the live orchestra to perform the legendary score live and in perfect sync with the show’s favorite scenes. The result? A truly immersive and grandiose concert experience that breathes new life into Avatar: The Last Airbender.

A Peabody and Emmy® Award-winning series, Avatar: The Last Airbender follows the adventures of the main protagonist Aang and his friends, who must defeat Fire Lord Ozai and end the Hundred-Year War to restore balance to the Four Nations. Taiko and erhu will share the spotlight with violins and clarinets, while the series’ most beloved scenes play out on the big screen, bringing viewers into the Avatar world to experience the series’ most memorable moments with Aang, Katara, Toph, Sokka, Zuko and more.

The creative mastermind behind the show’s original music, Emmy Award-winning composer and musician Jeremy Zuckerman, has poured his heart and exceptional talent into expanding his compositions for the concert series. Through creative collaboration with Jeff Adams (the show’s original editor), this spectacular production magnifies the epic scope and high drama of the series and gives its audience the chance to experience the captivating world of Avatar: The Last Airbender through this live orchestra concert.

Two-time Grammy award winning comedian/actor/writer Lewis Black uses his trademark style of comedic yelling and finger pointing to expose the absurdities of life. His comedic brilliance makes people laugh at life’s hypocrisies and the insanity he sees in the world. He has performed throughout the world and the U.S., where he performed at Carnegie Hall and had two successful Broadway runs.

Experience the power of contemporary dance in RKDC's fall season concert, "Beneath the Surface: Dances from Within." This captivating performance mines the depth of our emotional landscape, translating human experiences into poignant movement stories.

The evening features a diverse array of six works, including "In the Moment," which celebrates the joy of moving, and highlights how movement is not just about action; it’s an expression of who we are and how we connect with others. Regina Klenjoski’s new work for the company "Nest" reflects on the delicate balance of vulnerability and resilience in the natural process of letting go.

Kia Smith’s "Mix N' Mingle" brings an abstract flair with its fast, driving movements set to familiar music, inviting audiences to feel the joy of connection through dance. Returning to the stage is "Rank of Angels," a work inspired by the concept of the nine orders of angels rooted in angelology, a theological discipline that explores the nature, roles, and hierarchy of angels within religious frameworks.

"Silhouettes," a duet about friendship and the enduring bonds that withstand distance, adds emotional depth, while a new solo created by Klenjoski, seeks to embody delicacy and lightness, revealing the hidden and unseen beauty that lies just beneath the surface.

Join RKDC for an evening that celebrates the beauty of dance and the rich narratives that lie beneath the surface.

The "Show Poster" was an essential form of advertising for public events throughout the United States during the 20th century. The overuse of posters led to city ordinances restricting their placement. Ordinances were emphasized by official signs reading "POST NO BILLS." The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum recently acquired a collection of these posters which capture the essence of local entertainment during this period.

This exhibit is part of the Museum's “Windows on Collections” – A frequently changing exhibit of artifacts from the Museum’s growing collection. Depending upon any given theme, this exhibit ranges from the topical to the bizarre.

See this exhibit before it's gone!

July 2024 - October 2024

Museum Hours: Tue-Fri 11am-4pm, Sat & Sun 1pm-5pm

Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum -- 204 S. Main