by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — This Friday afternoon, three Wellington downtown business owners will be holding its second monthly “First Friday Wellington Art Walk Downtown,” running from 5 to 7 p.m.

The event started in December, and is a new promotion by Wellington downtown owners to not only bring people to the business district but to promote Wellington’s burgeoning number of local artists and craftsman in the south-central Kansas area.

This month’s feature artists include: 

•Samson Ledesma at The Gold Corner.

•Bill Wisely from Backyard Wood X-Pressions at Barbara Jons.

•Norma Strunk ceramics at Pea Pod Consignment Gallery.

•Jessica Vega at the Slate Creek Book Store.

The Wellington Downtown Art Work is the brainchild of Gary Streepy, owner of the Pea Pod Consignment Gallery at 115 S. Washington in Wellington which opened its doors this fall.

“This is the second of what I hope is of many Art Walks in Wellington,” Streepy said. “We will do this on the first Friday night of each new month. The hours will be from 5 to 7 p.m.”

Streepy said Pea Pod has participated in the Final Friday Art Crawl in Wichita for the past year.

“We have found it a great way to get people in to see our store,” Streepy said. “The idea is to feature original artwork of local artists and offer free snacks and refreshments for the guests.”

It started Friday, Dec. 7 in Wellington. Pea Pod gallery featured art by Rose and Brent Litsey. Brent created the mascot for the Art Walk that you see above.

“We are thinking about naming him ‘Willie,'” Streepy said.

Barbara Jons featured Brooke Kuehnny in December, an artist from Caldwell.

The three featured artists this month are good ones.

As the advertisement below states, The Gold Corner will be featuring one of Wellington’s own. Ledesma is a Wellington High School graduate, who is now a professional illustrator.

His original drawings and prints will be featured from 5 to 7 p.m. at the jewelry store located on 102 N. Washington.

Next door at Barbara Jons, Wisely is from Conway Springs, who is known for baking goods. He also does wood working and will have some of his wares on display at the new gift shop in Wellington at 104 North Washington.

At Pea Pod Consignment the featured artist Strunk is from Wichita and she will be featuring various ceramic creations.

At Slate Creek Books, Vega will be featuring drawings and paintings mostly of local landscapes and trees.

Samples of Norma Strunk ceramics.