The 29th Annual Hays Fall Art Walk is Friday, August 23rd – 6:30 – 9:30 pm.
Hays Arts Council Executive Director Brenda Meder told Hays Post that every exhibit has something for people to enjoy. She was especially excited about the United Way of Ellis County joining the art walk for the first time with their exhibit “Poverty A-Z”. Meder says the goal of the multi-media exhibition is to represent awareness and foster social change.
Meder added that while most of the work comes from talented local artists, there will still be an eclectic array of art and experiences for everyone to enjoy.
“The good news is that with the overwhelming majority being work from people who are of our area, that just speaks to the richness and the broad scope of creative and cultural talent and offerings here in our little piece of the world in western Kansas. It’s important for us to bring things in to continue to broaden the exposure of other artists and art works for our community.”
She also wants to encourage people to drive by and stop at union pacific park, especially at night. The “New Penny Toy Store” will be on exhibit for two weeks in downtown Hays. Meder says the exhibit features toys that were all had crafted by the artist and resemble what illustrations in the 50’s and 60’s anticipated future toys and gadgets to look like.
She plans on at least 1500 people of all ages at the event, mostly residents from the surrounding area. Meder added that this community is great about helping expose children to the arts in some manner from a young age, which translates to a continued interest in the arts as children grow up.
“Art shouldn’t be a special event; art should just be a part of your life, it’s like baseball is a just part of someone’s life. But everyone once in a while you get to go to that professional game, everyone once in a while you get to go to the championship playoff. That’s kind of what the art walks are, they’re that special night.”
Art Walk locations include:
Hays Arts Center, 112 E 11th
Hays Public Library, 1200 Main
Nex-Tech Internet Solutions, 210 E 12th
Gella’s & Lb Brewing,117 E 11th
The Brass Rail, 114 E 11th
The Arc of the Central Plains, 116 E 11th
Madd Matter Frame Shop & Gallery,112 E 11th
Semolino Building, 110 W 11th
Hays Arts Center Annex, 1010 Main
Diamond R Jewelry, 1008 Main
Salon 1007, 1007 Main
Union Pacific Park, 10th & Main
Schwaller Building,9th & Main
White Chocolate, 810 Main
dV8 Designs, 809 Main
Kris Kuksi Fine Art, 807 Main
Northglen Antiques, 801 Main
Crossroads Photography, 719 Main
Artists@Work Studio, 717 Main
Ellis County Historical Society, 100 W 7th
Moss Thorns Gallery, FHSU Rarick Hall
Early or Extended Hours
Sternberg Museum Lobby27th & Sternberg Dr, 4-6 pm
Thirsty’s Grill & Pub, 5-10 pm
Singers, Live Music 6:30-9pm, Concert 9pm
Saturday, August 24th
Hays Arts Center, 10 am – 2 pm
Hays Public Library, 9 am – 5 pm
Madd Matter, 10am – 5 pm
Hays Arts Center Annex, 10 am – 2 pm
Diamond R Jewelry, 10 am – 4 pm
Salon 1007, 9 am – 1 pm
Union Pacific Park, 9 am – 10 pm
White Chocolate, 11 am – 6 pm
Kris Kuksi Fine Art, 11 am – 2 pm
Northglen Antiques, 10 am – 3 pm
Moss Thorns Gallery, 10 am – Noon
Thirsty’s Grill & Pub, 11 am – 10 pm