Our amazing Ulrich Friends with Benefits members provide indispensable support for programs, community outreach, and student engagement through philanthropic contributions. It's our goal to bring more celebration, adventure, joy, friendships, and fun to the lives of our UFWB members while they enjoy all the Ulrich Museum has to offer. We hope you'll be inspired by the gatherings we've curated for our UFWBs inspired by our 2024 theme:
Friday, March 8, 2024 | From the Studio with Connie Ernatt | Diver Studio | 5:30-7:30 P.M. Artist Connie Ernatt splits her time between her personal studio practice and creating larger public works. She currently lives and works in Wichita alongside her husband and artist, John Ernatt. They operate out of the Diver, their full-time art studio and personal gallery. Connie invites us into the Diver studio to learn about how she works: “I love to hunt for treasure to use as inspiration in my work. Every piece starts with a special found object. These found objects or artifacts carry with them symbolic meaning and historical relevance.”
Friday, May 10, 2024 | From the Streets, a Public Art Panel | Harvester Arts | 5:30-7:30 P.M. Continuing the public art conversation from the spring exhibition, Urban Canvas, go beyond murals with Harvester Arts visiting artist, Aaron Asis of Brooklyn, N.Y.; City of Wichita’s Public Art Manager Jana Erwin; and Ulrich Curator of Public Practice and Executive Director of Harvester Arts Kristin Beal as they discuss A City Where I Belong, their National Endowment for the Arts Our Town project, designed to make local public art processes more accessible to artists.
Friday, August 9, 2024 | From the Kitchen, A Curated Meal by Chef Nick Korbee | First Mile Kitchen | 6 P.M. Savor an inspired meal curated just for Ulrich Friends by Chef Nicholas Korbee of First Mile Kitchen. Specializing in seasonal cooking with local ingredients from the live-fire hearth, First Mile Kitchen debuted in 2022, the concerted culinary vision of Korbee and Amanda Luginbill. Chef Korbee will discuss his journey and what sparks his imagination in the kitchen while you enjoy the works of his craft. $75/Guest, beverages additional.
Friday, October 11, 2024 | From the Ether with J.C. Fontanive | Beren Gallery | 5:30-7:30 P.M. In connection with the exhibition Dream Machine: Fantasy, Surreality, and Play, New York-based multimedia artist J.C. Fontanive will discuss the inspiration and process behind his whimsical analog kinetic sculptures, or sculptural animations, in the digital age. Fontanive's works have been exhibited all over the world, and his flipbook machines were featured on NPR's Science Friday in 2022.
Friday, November 8, 2024 | From the Past with Brittany Lockard on [RE]POSE | Beren Gallery | 5:30-7:30 P.M. WSU Assistant Professor of Art History and Creative Industries, Dr. Brittany Lockard, will engage with the exhibition, [RE]POSE, in a vibrant talk about art historical themes of the reclining female body and the woman in repose. As an art historian, Lockard's research centers on body diversity, identity politics, and the social dimensions of food and eating.
UFWB 2024
Renewal time is here! Membership in Ulrich Friends with Benefits is social, supportive, and sustaining. Belonging is an investment in experiences that are shared and transformational. We look forward to hearing from our current members and are excited to meet new members too. The new UFWB season begins in January, so renew today!
UFWB Duo | $1,000
UFWB Single | $750
Additional costs and/or add-ons may apply to some art experiences. Inquire for details.
For more information about Ulrich Friends with Benefits, contact Ann Keefer, Membership/Special Events Manager at Ann.Keefer@wichita.edu. You can also join online at WSU Foundation: select Ulrich Friends with Benefits Fund from the "designation" drop-down menu. Thank you for your support!
