Marc’s Picks for Final Friday

Final Fridays can be busy. Wichita’s monthly night of gallery openings can be so jam-packed with events that it’s hard to know where to go. In an effort to help you organize your evening, I plan to offer a monthly list of must-see shows. Here are my recommendations for May.

Dustin Parker at Watermark

Dustin says he no longer cares what his audience thinks about his work and is creating abstract paintings simply because he wants to. Well, good for him, because “The Beautiful Confusion” is sure to be a great show. Dustin’s abstract paintings contain all the color, texture and excitement that he is known for – without the recognizable imagery.

Watermark Books
4701 E. Douglas
6-8 p.m.
Click here for additional details.

Brian Hinkle at Artworks

Every few years, Brian’s work takes a dramatic stylistic turn. After a year of teaching high school in western Kansas, Brian is back in town with an exhibition of Kansas landscapes. What? Barns and silos? You may be skeptical, but with Brian’s abundant brush skills – backed up by his respect for and knowledge of art history – these are likely to be the best barn paintings you’ll see on this Friday or any other.

Artworks
7724 E. Central Ave., No. 300
5:30-8:30 p.m.

XX/4 at Fisch Haus

The fourth annual XX Women’s Invitational Exhibition continues its tradition of showcasing works by five women who were invited by the artists from last year’s show. I’m looking forward to seeing new work by former Wichitan Maggy Rozycki Hiltner, who now lives in Montana.

Fisch Haus
524 S. Commerce
7-10 p.m.

Brad Ruder and Marc Bosworth at Tangent Lab

Oh, did I mention I’m having a show? (I promise not to do this every month.) My good friend Brad’s digital collages are outstanding. Brad knows his way around a darkroom, so his complex and beautiful compositions are informed by much more than his ability to click a mouse. I’m showing hand-made prints, collages and paintings on canvas. We’ll give an informal gallery talk at 10 p.m.

Tangent Lab
143 N. Rock Island, Third Floor
7-11 p.m.
Be sure to check out details about the show here.