Want to give the gift of art? Here’s a guide to holiday art shopping in Wichita

If you’re looking for unusual gifts this holiday season, Wichita galleries, local shops and pop-ups offer numerous opportunities to purchase a unique piece of art.

Local gallerists say if you purchase from a local artist, the impact of the gift goes further than the recipient.

“Giving gifts of art is a great way to support your local arts economy,” said Chloe Lang, the program director at Mark Arts. “It’s also exciting to give a gift that will support someone who is one of your neighbors.”

If you want to avoid mass-produced gifts this year but don’t know where to start, here’s a guide to a few of the places you can find unusual and one-of-a-kind gifts:

The gallery scene

The most traditional place to purchase art is from a gallery, whose primary purpose is to exhibit and sell art. Though some are only open occasionally or by appointment, the galleries mentioned here all keep regular business hours[, which you can find on their websites or Google Business listings. Many galleries also extend their hours for a First Friday or Final Friday reception.

Mark Arts at 1307 N. Rock Road is a community art center with several different gallery spaces.

“There are works of art that start at just $30, so it’s a very accessibly priced place to support artists and champion artists within our community,” said Lang, the program director.

Mark Arts is now showing “Six by Six,” a series of works by their instructors, students, and community artists that are all six inches square and priced from $30 to $100.

One of Wichita’s newest galleries is Mulberry Gallery, located on the second floor of the Revolutsia shipping container mall at 2721 E. Central. There, the focus is on work by Black artists and other artists of color. Founder Anthony Joiner says it’s important to know the person you’re buying for well — if you think about the kinds of things they enjoy and their personality, you might just find the perfect fit.

Both Joiner and Lang agree that one of the keys to art buying, whether for yourself or for someone else, is to look at a lot of art then let your instincts take over.

“Let your intuition lead when you’re looking for a gift, and you’ll find the perfect thing for someone you love,” Lang said.

Reuben Saunders Gallery, 3215 E. Douglas, represents more than 60 local and regional artists working in a variety of styles.

Because the price points can be higher, co-owner Trish VanOsdel recommends gift certificates, which can be purchased in any denomination. The gallery also stocks artist-made jewelry and design-focused home goods.

Other local galleries to check out include Gallery 12, a longstanding artist cooperative located at 412 E. Douglas Ave, and CityArts at 334 N. Mead in Old Town Square. The latter is a publicly funded community art center that includes galleries and a gift shop that carries a wide range of items, from jewelry to hand-blown glass ornaments. If you’re interested in traveling farther afield, the Birger Sandzen Gallery in Lindsborg holds an annual holiday gift show, which is open now and continues through Jan. 2.

Shoppers who haven’t spent much time in galleries should know that while they look different from a traditional retail store, many of the same rules apply. People can ask questions or browse on their own, and a gallery employee will be happy to take payment by cash or credit card. One important difference: If you fall in love with a piece that is part of an exhibition, you may need to wait until it’s over before you can take your purchase home.

Art in the aisles

Alongside their inventory of gifts and stationery, Vortex Souvenir, 607 W. Douglas, stocks more than 75 different prints. These are usually made at least partly by hand but are sold in multiples, which means they are far more affordable than a one-of-a-kind piece. Co-owners Hannah Scott and Kevin Wildt are price conscious: Most of their prints are in the $20-$35 range, although smaller offerings cost as little as $8. They stick with prints that will fit in a standard frame and strive to stock a wide variety of styles, which include prints by local artists Wade Hampton, Bernardo Trevizo Jr. and Scott herself.

Some of their most popular gift prints depict animals or popular hobbies such as music or motorcycles. Shoppers can also browse their art inventory online.

Other local shops that have art in their inventory include the home goods and gift emporium The Workroom, 150 N. Cleveland, and The Hereafter, a vintage and consignment clothing store at 120 N. Hillside.

Pop-ups and buying direct

Arts and crafts markets can be great places to find handmade gifts. Think Etsy, but you get to browse the goods in person. The Haute Handmade Pop-Up Market is one of the oldest pop-up programs in Wichita, and it’s offering one more chance for holiday shopping at its “Christkindlmarkt” event from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 16–18 at Revolutsia.

Many local artists also host their own holiday pop-ups. Wade Hampton has held a successful holiday sale for many years. This is the fourth year he’s partnered with Local Roasters, a retail coffee shop at 2828 E. Douglas. (Before that, he hosted the sale in his home.) His $125 drawings are sold out already, but a handful of his paintings are still for sale on the Local Roasters website.

For a few months prior to his sale, Hampton makes a drawing a day. Likewise, local artist Armando Minjarez begins preparing for holiday sales in August. He won’t be selling in person this holiday season, but his work is available at both Vortex and Local Roasters and on the website for his company, Del Norte Studio.

Another source for handmade ceramics is Wichita Pottery, 300 N. Meridian Ave. Work by instructors and members is available during their holiday sale, which runs through Dec. 18.

Finally, one local artist recently opened a permanent studio space with regular shopping hours: Delilah Reed sells prints, stickers and stationery from The Loud Cicada, located in Revolutsia.

If this all feels overwhelming, Joiner has a piece of advice:

“Don’t be afraid to buy late,” he said. “Anytime before the gallery is closed for the holidays is a good time.”