By Dania Jumpa, Staff Writer
The Steckline Gallery in the De Mattias Fine Arts Center is planning an exhibit that will explore the phenomenon of online dating, and it will be the first juried exhibit in Newman’s history.
The exhibit, called “Swipe Right,” will open on Jan. 25, said Shannon Johnston, the gallery’s director.
The theme “will definitely be a play on dating apps and the social media network that we use to connect with people, which will allow the audience to learn what love and relationships in the 21st century look like.”
The title “Swipe Right” refers to the movement of one’s finger when scrolling through profiles on in various dating apps like Tinder.
Johnston said that anyone, including students and community members, can submit art to be considered for the exhibit. There will be no submission fee.
Kristin Beal, co-founder of a gallery in Wichita called Harvester Arts, will look at all submitted works then blindly select which will be displayed in the gallery.
The selection process, Johnston said, will offer a good opportunity for students to get their work out there without fear that being new to the art world will impact their chances. Anyone, from the hobbyist to the aspiring artist, can submit any artwork, she said, and she welcomes all mediums, including oil on canvas, installment art or performance art.
“Doing the jury show will be a way to connect the art scene in Wichita, which seems to be only one correlated with the downtown area. Simultaneously, by making it light-hearted and fun, it will increase viewership and interaction,” she said.
Those interested can submit artwork to johnstons@gmail.com before Jan. 4.
PHOTO: Courtesy photo, Newman Advancement
