Print edition: 
Wichita art veterans Mary Werner and Matthew Hilyard have worked together on many exhibitions over the years but their newest collaboration is the first based on gender.
Far from representing a battle of the sexes, however, their "He/She" exhibition is a celebration of them. "He" opened Friday at Newman University's Steckline Gallery with 36 works by male artists. "She" will open at the same gallery on April 29 with 10 pieces.
Hilyard, a teacher at Wichita Center for the Arts, curated "He," inviting 18 artists from Wichita and across the country to participate. Werner, director of visual arts at Newman, curated "She," inviting eight female artists to participate.
There is no theme connecting the works, except that the artists in each show are exclusively of one gender. Werner said she was most interested in putting together a show that highlights the work of artists not usually seen in the Wichita area.
"It is a really good mix of both local and regional artists as well as artists who are much farther away," she said.
Said Hilyard: "A show like this really opens the doors to others outside of Wichita and shows that the Midwest is open and we have some really great art and artists here."
Some of the artists Hilyard brought in are from as far away as California, Florida, New York and even Berlin. Hilyard said he sought a mix of two-dimensional and three-dimensional works. Werner said that of the eight artists represented in "She," only two create two-dimensional works. The others do three-dimensional pieces and installations.
Among the Wichita artists in "He" are Michael Pointer, Marc Durfee and Steve Atwood. Pieces in the show includes photographs, sculptures, evolving installations, paintings and prints.
Jana Erwin Durfee, Kristin Beal-DeGrandmont and Tabitha Bean are among the Wichita artists in "She."
"I love to show all different artists at the Steckline Gallery," Werner said. "I don't want it to be limited to the works of just the faculty and students. It is important to show different works and styles and give exposure to the art that we don't see everyday."
If you go
'He'/'She'
What: Two exhibits featuring the works of all male artists ("He") and all female artists ("She").
Where: Steckline Gallery, De Mattias Fine Arts Center, Newman University
When: "He" will be on view through April 21. "She" will be on view from April 29 through May 20, with an opening reception from 5-7 p.m. April 29. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri. or by appointment.
How much: Gallery admission is free.
