Two Exhibitions Feature Work by Salina Artists

CityArts is hosting the opening of four new exhibits from 5-8 p.m. on Final Friday, Sept. 25 that celebrate the work of artists in the Wichita area. Admission is free to CityArts’ galleries that are open 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday. The shows will be on display through Oct. 24. CityArts is located at 334 N. Mead in Old Town Square.

• Main Gallery: “Yard Work,” ceramics and paintings by Charlotte Martin
  Charlotte Martin loves that moment when inspiration comes to mind in an instant. A complete painting can appear on the screen of her brain, and all that’s left for her to do is copy it with paint. “Yard Work” started as a moment of inspiration but kept her busy and inspired for over a year and a half. Some of Martin’s pieces show everyday life depicted in one’s yard. Martin studied painting at Arizona State University and received a BFA in painting and drawing from Wichita State University. She has been an instructor at CityArts for 15 years.
• Boardroom Gallery: “Backyard Almanac,” photo posters by Glory Benacka
  Glory Benacka specializes in natural, on-location photography for businesses, artists and people. “Backyard Almanac” is a documentary project of four backyards in Salina, Kan. captured throughout 2014. The collection shows images that highlight scenes from some of the most beautiful moments in these Kansas backyards throughout the seasons. With each photograph she takes, Benacka hopes to capture the shadow of a memory and freeze the breath of a moment to be preserved for people to remember. Benacka holds a BFA in Art and Photography from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla.
• Main Hall Gallery: CityArts Photo Competition, Level 5 DSLR Photography Class
  Students from the Level 5 DSLR photography class at CityArts will showcase their finest work to the Wichita community. Ninety-four large prints, ranging from intimate portraits to eye-popping action shots, that will be part of the exhibit/photography competition judged by three professional photographers from Wichita – Wichita Eagle photographer Travis Heying, landscape and fine jewelry photographer Jerry Burnell and U.S. presidential photographer Howard Eastwood. The public is invited to add their opinions to the judging and cast their votes for the People’s Choice Awards. The digital photography program at CityArts is led by Douglas Robertson.
• Balcony Gallery: “Endear,” drawings by Angela Kerner
  Fascinated by the fairy tale images contained in magazines, Angela Kerner uses these periodicals as a jumping off point for her project about women. She draws directly on top of magazine images and traces the drawings that soon develop. Kerner received a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Art History from the University of Kansas. She currently lives and works in Salina.

CityArts is a focal point for the arts in Wichita. Its mission is to provide education, information and artistic opportunities to the community through art education, gallery exhibitions and cultural entertainment. CityArts is home to the Arts Council, a group that works in partnership with the City of Wichita to advance and promote arts and culture in the Wichita community through advocacy, leadership, education and collaboration.