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Every first Friday, Emporia, Kansas transforms into a living gallery, with its Art Walk bringing local talent, community energy, and public art to the streets.
In 2025, the event reached a new high when colorful mosaic columns were installed at Sixth Avenue and Merchant Street, turning ordinary public space into a bold testament to local creativity.
Here’s an up-to-date, detailed look at how this project came together, who’s involved, what it means for Emporia, and what to expect next.
Bringing Art to the Streets: The Project’s Genesis
- The Emporia Community Arts Alliance selected the installation in collaboration with The Gazette Collective, supported by ESB Financial, and presented by the Art Walk (First Friday Emporia).
- The columns are set up on the east side of the park at Sixth Avenue and Merchant Street, in White Memorial Park.
- Designed with ADA-compliant spacing, the columns ensure accessibility for all visitors.
- The artist behind the project, Kate Pepper, is well known for her large-scale mosaic works, especially using recycled and discontinued materials. She runs The Art Park in Wichita along with her husband, Charles Baughman.
- Colleen Mitchell (co-owner of The Gazette Collective and board member of the arts alliance) described the installation as capturing Emporia’s “dynamic canvas of creativity.”
This is not just a temporary art show — the columns are intended as a permanent feature of downtown Emporia, anchoring public art in the urban landscape.
Installation Details & Community Involvement
- The public was invited to participate in placing tiles on the mosaic pillars during a community event held October 4, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Every tile is placed by hand, making the installation deeply participatory.
- The event was free, though preregistration was requested to manage materials and space.
- Families and artists of all ages took part, transforming the process into a collective celebration of creative expression.
- The columns’ base structure accommodates hundreds of mosaic pieces, with each added element contributing to the evolving visual story.
What It Means for Emporia
| Feature | Impact |
|---|---|
| Permanent Public Art | These mosaic columns will remain long after this year’s Art Walk, acting as a lasting legacy of community creativity. |
| Accessibility | Designed with ADA spacing and placement, the installation invites viewing and engagement by all. |
| Local Identity | The columns become a landmark symbolizing Emporia’s growing reputation as a vibrant arts destination. |
| Community Engagement | The hands-on nature of creation helps build connection and ownership among residents. |
| Tourism & Culture | The installation adds visual appeal to downtown, drawing visitors, art lovers, and media attention. |
Emporia First Friday: The Art Walk Framework
- Emporia First Friday Art Walk occurs downtown on the first Friday of every month, typically from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- The event links together galleries, local businesses, street art, live music, and pop-up installations like the mosaic columns.
- Participants often receive “passports” to collect stamps at venues, with prizes and incentives to explore more of the city.
- The Art Walk has been instrumental in promoting cultural growth and connecting local artists with the wider community.
Why This Project Resonates
- It stands as a tangible expression of community identity — locals literally helping build public art.
- The use of recycled materials reflects sustainability and creativity under constraints.
- In a smaller city, such bold initiatives help elevate public perception, positioning Emporia as a cultural hub in the region.
- The permanence of the columns turns a one-night art walk into a lasting legacy embedded in local infrastructure.
With the Emporia Art Walk and its new mosaic columns, the city has turned ordinary streets into a canvas of collective creation.
What began as a collaborative effort between the Community Arts Alliance, The Gazette Collective, the city and local sponsors has matured into a vibrant, permanent monument celebrating both local talent and community identity.
Each hand-placed tile tells a story, and together they underscore a bold message: in Emporia, art is not just on display — it’s built by the people, for the people.