Egypt and her people, the art, the Nile, the revolution.

Since my first art history class more than 30 years ago, I’ve had a love affair with Egypt. The art, architecture, gods, creativity and adornment captured my imagination. Now I wouldn’t go as far as to say I’m Queen Nefertiti reincarnated – like our National Geographic guide says many visitors do – but I do have an awe-inspired connection to this one-of-a-kind culture.

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Signature Flight Support brought it all together at the recent NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference in San Diego. It launched a groundbreaking loyalty program and an aviation card that complements and builds upon Signature’s already-strong, values-added program, Signature Status. (more…)

Final Friday just took a big leap forward. This highly popular monthly art crawl has had everything going for it – but a strong identity. You can now check that off the list.

The Greteman Group-designed logo made its first public appearance in today’s Wichita Eagle.  Tomorrow an event hosted by the Wichita Downtown Development Corporation will celebrate the new energy and promotions planned for this event –  which currently attracts about 4,000 people a month. (more…)

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

If you’re thinking of visiting the new Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas – do it. Chris and I recently went on a private tour arranged by the WSU Ulrich Museum and it is, without doubt, the Midwest’s most impressive major museum. Built by Walmart heiress Alice Walton, the building was designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie. The permanent collection spans five centuries of masterworks ranging from the Colonial era to the current day. And not all the beauty’s inside. The museum’s 120-acre grounds lets you immerse yourself in the Ozark landscape and outdoor sculptures nestled into the forest. The experience outweighs the almost 5-hour drive from Wichita. Go.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Full disclosure. Growing up with an aviation photographer for a dad influences my belief in the power of visual storytelling. That said, the facts are also on my side.

The Wharton School of Business reports that quality video can increase retention up to 50 percent over print and accelerates buying decisions by as much as 72 percent. Forrester Research predicts a 70+ percent growth in online video advertising next year.

So, my question to you, what are your plans for video in 2012? If you’re still in the planning phase, here are some examples to prime the creative pump. (more…)

In 1982 I attended the Aspen International Design conference with a small cadre of WSU professors and students, and we all stayed in a big house. To my delight I arrived only to discover that one of my housemates was none other than the famous designer and my hero, Milton Glaser. For me it was like meeting John Lennon, or Frida Kahlo. WOW. My eyeballs about popped out of my head when I spotted this icon of design.  Of course, I’d studied his work throughout college, drooled over the infamous Bob Dylan album cover that defined the ’60s psychedelic art style, and had total admiration for this illustrator/designer/thinking man. Being the shy demure art student, I ended up sitting smack dab next to him at dinner. I wanted more insight into the man and he did not disappoint with his charisma and verbal dexterity. He could turn a phrase, help you see the truth, and share his passion. I was mesmerized by his stories about creating the “I  New York” ad campaign, and never receiving one dime of profit. Can you imagine how much he would be worth if he had retained reproduction rights to the most famous, long-lived campaign of all time? (more…)

From left to right: Greg Johnson and Chris Frank, Mark Walker Mixed Media, Ted Krone Sculpture

Idology at Go Away Garage
In “Freudian Slips,” the first Idology show since 2006, David Christensen, Chris Frank, Greg Johnson, Ted Krone, Greg Turner and Mark S. Walker pull out all the stops in a fine show that’s heavy on sculpture and object-oriented mixed media. And it includes special guest artists Charles Baughman and Dustin Parker.

Go Away Garage, 508 S. Commerce, 6-10 p.m. (more…)

Art & Copy

If you work in advertising or if you’re simply interested in big idea messaging, add Art & Copy to your Netflix queue right now. This compelling documentary from filmmaker Doug Pray features a host of interviews with some of the biggest names of the last few decades. My personal favorites: the work of Mary Wells on behalf of Braniff Airlines; the infamous launch of Apple Computer’s 1984 Super Bowl commercial introducing Macintosh; “Just Do It,” the Think Small Volkswagon campaign; Hal Riney’s Morning in America videos for Ronald Reagan; I want my MTV; and the exuberant creative of the brightly colored iPod campaign. (more…)

Straight Arrow, works by Marc Bosworth

Straight Arrow – Marc Bosworth @ Gallery One Nine
Greteman Group’s own Marc Bosworth introduces multi-layered works that take on themes such as role models and gender stereotypes. In his works you can find references to such styles as abstract expressionism and pop art.

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
@ Gallery One Nine
125 N Market St, Wichita, KS (18th Floor)

Judith French Millard – In Memoriam @ Gallery XII
A long time member of Gallery XII, the venue, her friends and husband will being paying tribute to her art in a memorial showing this Final Friday. Judith was a Kansas native, WSU Grad and an award winning artist in oils and pastels.

6:00pm
@ Gallery XII
412 E Douglas Av, Wichita, KS

Negative – Ryan Moran
Artists at Old Town will be presenting works by innovative artist Ryan Moran. Created using a unique technique, he begins by stapling several layers of paper together, and then cuts away layers to create his pieces.

6:30pm
@ Artists At Old Town
412 E Douglas Suite C, Wichita, KS

New Footprints: 5 Destinations at Fiber Studio
Novelene Ross, Marilyn Johnson and Kathleen Shanahan will present new paintings, Ginger Tarrer will show mixed-media and Marilyn Grisham will exhibit her fiber works in this group show that promises great things from five great artists. You can see some of the pieces by clicking the thumbnails below.

6-10 p.m.
Fiber Studio
Commerce Street Arts District
418 Commerce

Bob Schwan Studios
Bob Schwan, who has had some success in Santa Fe, will once again open up his local studio and gallery for Final Friday, showing his own work as well as paintings by Brian Hinkle, photos by Michael Roach and sculpture by David Murano.

6-10 p.m.
Bob Schwan Studios
111 S. Ellis

Have any shows captured your attention this month?