In a solo show at Reuben Saunders Gallery, Needham utilizes vibrant hues to acknowledge the quiet comfort and abundance of nature. Recently, a friend mentioned that a tree’s roots go as deep into the earth as the tree itself is tall. I think about that bit of trivia every single day — about the abundance of nature,... Continue Reading →
Bill Andrews and the forgiving nature of woodworking
Bill Andrews spent over three decades working in hospitals throughout the south and central regions of the state. But throughout his life, his passion has been woodworking. “I think of the two things — pharmacy and woodworking — as two separate parts of my life,” said Andrews, who is 82. “Hospital pharmacy was pretty stressful,... Continue Reading →
When it rains, it pours…ICARUS
They call it the Frequency Illusion (or the Baader–Meinhof Phenomenon), that once you see something, you can't stop seeing it. And now all I can see is Icarus flying, falling. It started with Private Rites by Julia Armfield. Our queer book club loved Armfield's debut novel Our Wives Under the Sea so much so that when her sophomore novel came out, we immediately placed it on our to-read piles. The novel's drenched in literary allusion...
Sarah Henning, Kansas Notable Author
Kansas author Sarah Henning has penned a dozen books. Most are geared towards young adult readers, but her novels are also popular with adults who enjoy the YA genre. Henning’s latest fantasy novel “The Lies We Conjure” is a 2025 Kansas Notable Book, one of 15 titles recognized by the State Library of Kansas. “It... Continue Reading →
Interview with author CJ Janovy
As anti-LGBT rhetoric intensifies, the queer community needs stories of political engagement — and triumph — more than ever. C.J. Janovy’s 2018 book “No Place Like Home: Lessons in Activism from LGBT Kansas” is full of such accounts. A newly released version is arriving at just the right time. The University Press of Kansas reached... Continue Reading →
Creative Family Tree
Each creative family is creative in its own way, and it’s that uniqueness of artistic expression that Derby Arts Council offers for consideration in their “Art in the Family” exhibition on display through June 24 at the Derby Public Library. The library sits just off the bustle of Rock Road, yet the building is quiet,... Continue Reading →
Immigrant Artifacts Show Travelers’ Journies
Family heirlooms, travel items link immigrant stories to lives in the Midwest at the end of the 19th century, on view at the Kauffman Museum at Bethel College through June 1. "Unlocking the Past: Immigrant Artifacts and the Stories They Tell," at the Kauffman Museum in North Newton, Kansas, foregrounds the stories of Mennonite immigrants.... Continue Reading →
Wicked City Roller Derby
Wichita's roller derby league has grown to more than 40 skaters. For the first time in more than 15 years, Wicked City will field two home teams. Wheels, boots, plates, trucks, elbow pads and mouth guards: These are the tools of the trade for the skaters of Wicked City Roller Derby. Founded in 2006 as... Continue Reading →
I was *this* close to the ice
The view from the front row at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships was so much different than the one from my couch. For one, I was struck by the depth of the fans' commitment — I met more than one person who’s been to the championships every year for over a decade. And being rink-side... Continue Reading →