‘Let There Be Lite-Brite’ show looking for artists to turn classic toy into art

Lite-Brites, those toys where colorful pegs and a small-watt bulb are used to create artwork, have been part of American culture since 1967 – it’s even among this year’s nominees for the National Toy Hall of Fame.

But it’s something that Wichita artist Maggie Gilmore never got her hands on.

“I think I remember seeing commercials for them, but I never did get one,” she recalled.

Gilmore is among those putting their creativity into “Let There Be Lite-Brite,” where area artists of all ages make unique works from the classic toy.

“I really liked the Lite-Brite concept, because it’s just fun and different, and I really as an artist love to have fun with my art, and I see it as an outlet to bringing joy to people,” said Gilmore, a professional artist for the past five years who has worked with digital art, watercolors and acrylics.

“This is sort of a fun way for people to think outside the box,” added Gilmore, who also draws live caricatures at area festivals.

“Let There Be Lite-Brite” is the creation of Deb Gruver, who said her love and appreciation for art grew exponentially since she moved to Wichita.

Gruver said that a specific Lite-Brite show was an idea percolating all that time.

“I loved playing with my Lite-Brite when I was a kid. My best friend and I both had one and we’d make things all the time,” said Gruver, a former Wichita Eagle reporter who is taking a step out with her first art show. “I just have always thought it would be so cool to see Lite-Brites in a gallery.”

This year, she added, was the perfect time.

“2020 has been such a down year for most of us, probably all of us, and I thought, ‘What better time to do something with a Lite-Brite than now, when things are pretty dark for everyone,’” she said.

She approached Crissy Peppard, who opened The District on Commerce, a co-working space at 420 S. Commerce in early March, with the idea.

The show will open on Friday, Nov. 6. A call for entries is out until Oct. 2, with completed Lite-Brites ready for pickup on Nov. 2.

Artists will set their own prices for their works and will not have to give a fee to the organizers. Gruver said she will even foot the bill for a Lite-Brite – around $14.99, according to most online websites – and the artists can reimburse her.

“I know that Lite-Brites are only $15, but I understand that for some people $15 is a whole lot of money right now,” Gruver said. “I want it to be open to anyone who has an idea.”

Those interested in being a part of the show can contact her, deb@wordscout.biz, for details.

Gruver is hoping families of artists can participate and collaborate on projects.

“Children are having a worse time right now than adults are,” she said. “Their lives have been turned upside down with COVID, so I think it would be a fun experience for kiddos too.”

One young participant will be Crissy Peppard’s son.

“It’s definitely something he’s excited about and he has a way he wants to present it,” she said. “It gives it a family feel and everything.”

Social distancing requirements, face masks and sanitizer are already in place at The District workspace.

“The District has a retro, coffeehouse feel, so I think it melds well with the space,” Gruver said. “We want this to be a bright spot for Wichita, because we’re all going through it in one way or the other.”

This story was originally published September 18, 2020 at 5:01 AM.