April's First Friday Art Walk kicks off a weekend celebrating art, glass blowing and space at ESU

Emporia, KS (03/30/2026) — Emporia State is at the center of a vibrant lineup of art and creative experiences showcasing student work, musical performances, glass blowing and a space-themed exhibit. The celebration begins with the Emporia First Friday Art Walk on April 3.

Art Forum

April 3, 4 to 5 p.m. at the Lyon County History Center.

The April Art Forum features speakers Sam Spees and Blaine Steiner, who share their collaborative approach to glassmaking as they create functional and sculptural objects through a lens of memory and sensory experience.

Annual Juried Student Art ExhibitionReception is April 3 from 5 to 8 p.m., and the exhibit will be on display through April 25 at the Emporia Arts Center.

The exhibition features work by Emporia State art students selected and juried by Ben Ahlvers, ceramicist and executive director of the Lawrence Art Center.

Dave Leiker's 'Faces'

Available April 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Emporia Granada Theatre.

The long-running portrait project, Dave Leiker's "Faces," will be accompanied by Emporia State Music program clarinet and saxophone ensembles. The event is sponsored by Emporia State.

Salon des Refuses

Reception is April 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. and the exhibit will be on display through April 25 at the Trox Gallery.

Also juried by Ahlvers, Salon des Refuses means "exhibition of rejects" and references art history by celebrating rejected juried artwork.

All That Remains

Reception is April 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Eppink Gallery in Emporia State's King Hall. The exhibit will be on display through April 24.

All That Remains features work by Emporia State Bachelor of Fine Arts students Sydney Hickman and Michael Kidwell, bringing together intentional processes and inherited ideas to explore connections between presence and reflection.

Because Someone Taught Us

Reception is April 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Gilson Gallery in Emporia State's King Hall. The exhibition will be on display through April 24.

The exhibition features student artwork alongside handwritten letters to their high school art teachers. Visitors are invited to write letters to their own teachers, which will be displayed during the exhibition.

ARISS Space Mural

Friday, April 3 beginning at 5 p.m. at the Ninth and Commercial Green Space.

Join Emporia State's Amateur Radio on the International Space Station team, which will soon host a groundbreaking event connecting students with astronauts aboard the ISS. The ARISS team will be joined by the Emporia Amateur Radio Society and Emporia State's art outreach team to paint a 4-by-8-foot mural. The mural will be displayed during the space station event before going on display in Emporia State's Science Hall. Activities will be available for all ages.

Glass Blowout

Saturday, April 4 at the Art Annex on the Emporia State campus, 1590 Highland St.

Visitors will see molten glass take shape during live glass-blowing demonstrations by visiting artists Sam and Blaine Spees. Live demonstrations run from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., with a live auction beginning at 5 p.m. The event includes a full bar and artwork available for bid. Cash and card are accepted. Glass Blowout is hosted by Emporia State's Art program.

Limited-edition Hornet Nation Space Beer

Available Friday, April 3 at Radius Brewing Company.

In collaboration with Emporia State and the Peterson Planetarium, Radius Brewing Co. developed an exclusive Hornet Nation limited-edition golden ale, "To the Stars," celebrating all things outer space. The beer features specially designed can artwork by Emporia State biology professor Erika Martin and is available to purchase at Radius Brewing Company while supplies last.

All activities are free and open to the public.