Art and Book Fair returns to Wichita Art Museum

Don’t let the chain-link fence enclosing the Wichita Art Museum grounds put you off. The museum is rolling out the welcome mat this weekend for Wichitans interested in books and art.

More than 10,000 books of all genres will be for sale at this year’s Art and Book Fair, called “The Art of the Book.” Visitors will be able to browse the titles under the Chihuly chandelier in the Grand Hall. They also are free to explore the galleries, enjoy arts-related programming in the auditorium and shop for small works in the Living Room area with no admission fee.

The Art and Book Fair has been a tradition for 55 years, and for many of those years it took place at Century II over Mother’s Day weekend in conjunction with the Wichita Riverfest. However, in 2011 Riverfest moved to June, leaving the Art and Book Fair as a standalone event. And this year, the event is moving back to the museum.

“We need to go back to our roots, and we needed to come back to the museum,” said Jill Miller, who is chairing the event for the Friends of the Wichita Art Museum group.

And all that chain-link fencing plays a role in the vision the Friends of WAM has for the event. Construction is currently underway for a $3.5 million art garden, expected to be finished later this fall. The museum’s nine acres will get new landscaping, pathways and outdoor spaces, including an amphitheater. Although this year, the art part of the fair is scaled back, the plan for next year’s event is to have the garden dotted with tents of artists selling their works.

“The big energy comes with really looking at the grounds’ transformation,” said Diane Post, a Friends of WAM member and publicity chair for the event.

Post and Miller joined the Friends of WAM last year and quickly stepped in with a vision for transforming the Art and Book Fair.

“We’re the kind of women who jump in with both feet and make things happen,” said Miller, whose past experience includes 20 years organizing the ArtAID fashion show fundraiser. “I know how to organize an event and shake things up.”

Miller views this year’s event as a transition year, but she still wanted there to be some emphasis on art. Miller has recruited 35 artists to bring 98 pieces to sell in the small works market.

The works needed to loosely be themed on the “Art of the Book” and be no larger than 18-by-18 inches. A bonus, Miller says, is that the pieces are more affordable and easier to transport.

“The artists have responded and been excited about being here,” Miller said. “We wanted to make sure that we have very high-quality artists worthy of being shown at the museum.”

The works will represent jewelry, mixed media, drawing, painting, photography and printmaking.

Additionally, the Friends of WAM has arranged for special programs during the fair with Arts Partners, the Tallgrass Film Association and Creative Rush, an organization that fosters connections among Wichita creatives.

“I love how the creative community in Wichita works together,” Miller said. “Our community partners really to add to what we’re doing.”

Miller says she wants to create more of a festival feel rather than simply a sale. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Also, artists Linnebur and Miller will set up an imaginative art photography booth. “It’s a one-of-a-kind work of art that’s you,” Miller said.

The programs Saturday morning are geared toward families with storytellers and drawing demonstrations. The film “Big Fish” will be screened twice over the weekend, and Creative Rush will lead a panel discussion.

“My vision for this year is let’s bring them back to the museum,” Miller said. “This has always been an event where we feel people would come and celebrate their mothers.”

This story was originally published May 7, 2015 at 2:49 PM with the headline "Art and Book Fair returns to Wichita Art Museum."