Rice County Arts Council - RCAC

05/10/2026

The RCAC partnered with Rice County schools to bring the Wichita Childrens Theater to town! K-2 grade students enjoyed a production of “Three Billy Goats Gruff.”

Thank you to Kyle and the Wichita Children’s Theater, and we wish you a safe and fun touring season!

28/04/2026

An announcement from our friends in Chase:

The Central Prairie Art League exhibition is open to the public from 3:30 -4:30 on April 28. There are 300 pieces of art at the Chase High School gymnasium!

15/04/2026

Our annual Prairie Art Exhibition wouldn’t be possible without the help of our amazing volunteers.

We are looking for a community member/s to volunteer as docent for the exhibit this Saturday, April 18th from 1:00-4:00. Duties include greeting guests, instructing them to vote for their favorite piece and sign the guest book.

If you’re able to give of your time, please reach out to us here on Facebook or call Katelyn at 816-809-0233. You can sign up for one hour or all three!

Thank you for supporting the arts in Rice County!

13/04/2026

We’re thrilled that The Buffalo Ornithological Society stopped by The Prairie Art Exhibition! They’ve been birding out at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge and made a stop in Sterling before heading back to New York.

They loved how many birds are hanging in the gallery, as well as seeing the pottery of former Quivira Wildlife Manager, Dave Hilley, on display.

The gallery is open M-F from noon-6pm and this Saturday from 1:00-4:00pm.

03/04/2026

The Prairie Art Exhibition opens tomorrow, Saturday, April 4th.

Gallery hours:

Saturday and Sunday: 1:00-4:00pm

Monday-Friday: Noon-6:00pm

01/04/2026

Congratulations to the artists of the 52nd annual Prairie Art Exhibition!

AWARD WINNERS

BEST OF SHOW -- $500

Gulnura Taylor​ Greensburg
“Crochet Artist” (Watercolor)​$2100

FIRST PLACE -- $400

Hugh Greer​ Wichita
“Red Horse Trailer” (Acrylic)​$3100

SECOND PLACE -- $350

Rebel Mahieu​ Ashland
“Love Hurts” (Pastel)​$400

THIRD PLACE -- $300

Naomi Ullum​ Hutchinson
“Clematis on the Fence” (Acrylic)​$325


MATTSON AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT
IN POTTERY/CERAMICS -- $100

Dave Hilley​ Kingman
“Buffalo Bowl” (Ceramic)​$45


MERIT AWARDS -- $50

Larry Bolton​ Hutchinson
“Monday Morning” (Watercolor)​$300

Vickie Folck​ Lyons
“Deer Lake Fishing Camp” (Watercolor)​NFS

Hugh Greer​ Wichita
“Rocky Mountain Autumn” (Acrylic)​$2800

Karen Holliday​ Newton
“Grand Entrance” (Mixed Media)​$450

Michael Hotze​ Wichita
“Kansas: Once Upon a Time” (Watercolor)​$400

Frank Martinez ​Wichita
“Blue Jar” (Ceramic)​$230

Emily Nuss​ Plevna
“Chaps” (Graphite)​$700

Alvin Schultz​ Garden City
“Against the Wind” (Printmaking)​$350

Jan Thorp​ Wichita
“Sunny Daze” (Watercolor)​$650


EXHIBITS

Larry Bolton ​Hutchinson
“Monday Morning” (Watercolor)​$300

Daniel Branham​ Albert
“Farm Life” (Oil)​NFS

Daniel Branham​ Albert
“Eagle” (Oil)​$400

April Brooks​ Sterling
“For Everything There is a Season” (Watercolor) $125

Samantha Corwin​ Sterling
“Spider Brings Fire” (Felt and Beads)​NFS

Michael J. Cox​ Greensburg
“Unsettled” (Mixed Media)​NFS

Don Crouse​ Great Bend
“Spiral Bowl” (Ceramic)​$100

Ann Dixson​ Greensburg
“Reflection Ridge” (Pastel)​$900

Ann Dixson​ Greensburg
“Jim’s Reverie” (Pastel)​$750

Diane Engle​ Great Bend
“Where the Back Road Ends” (Watercolor)​$650

Susan Elstun​ Lyons
“Zane”​NFS

Vickie Folk ​Lyons
“Irons” (Conte)​NFS

Vickie Folck​ Lyons
“Deer Lake Fishing Camp” (Watercolor)​NFS

Mary Goering​ Newton
“Prairie Sunset” (Acrylic)​$195

Mary Goering​ Newton
“Song of the Prairie” (Acrylic)​$100

Mary Goering​ Newton
“Wildflowers in the Meadow” (Acrylic)​$250

Hugh Greer​ Wichita
“Rocky Mountain Autumn” (Acrylic)​$2800

Hugh Greer​ Wichita
“Red Horse Trailer” (Acrylic)​$3100

Hugh Greer​ Wichita
“Head Waters” (Acrylic)​$3100

Susan Griffin​ Lyons
“Surveying His Domain” (Oil)​NFS

Deb Hanes-Nelson​ Centralia
“A Look at God’s Heavens (Isaiah 30:18a)” (Watercolor)​$215

Deb Hanes-Nelson​ Centralia
“Apple of His Eye (Sirach 17:22b)” (Watercolor)​$525

Acacia Haspels​ Buhler
“My Homeland” (Colored Pencil/Pen)​$200

Acacia Haspels​ Buhler
“Living Different” (Digital)​$35

Dave Hilley​ Kingman
“Frog Platter” (Ceramic)​$60

Dave Hilley​ Kingman
“Buffalo Bowl” (Ceramic)​$45

Dave Hilley​ Kingman
“Resist Vase” (Ceramic)​$45

Karen Holliday​ Newton
“Grand Entrance” (Mixed Media)​$450

Karen Holliday​ Newton
“Tournesol” (Mixed Media)​$275

Karen Holliday​ Newton
“Top Cat” (Mixed Media)​$250

Michael Hotze​ Wichita
“Marsh’s Arches” (Watercolor)​NFS

Michael Hotze​ Wichita
“Kansas: Once Upon a Time” (Watercolor)​$400

Betty Jo Houchen​ McPherson
“Autumn in the Ozarks” (Pastel)​$700

Louise Hutchison​ McPherson
“Spring Woodland” (Oil)​$400

Louise Hutchison​ McPherson
“Sunflower Bouquet” (Oil)​$400

Mary Kottman​ Great Bend
“Knocked Down but Not Destroyed” (Mixed Media)$200

Vickie Koontz​ Hutchinson
“Hummingbird/Poppies” (Oil)​NFS

Vickie Koontz​ Hutchinson
“Lookin’ for Trouble” (Oil)​NFS

Sue Krehbiel​ Inman
“Katie” (Pencil & Colored Pencil)​$800

Sue Krehbiel​ Inman
“Can You See Me Now” (Colored Pencil & Pastel)$700

Nancy Luttrell​ Bel Aire
“Downtown Twilight” (Oil)​$325

Nancy Luttrell​ Bel Aire
“Spring Returns” (Acrylic)​$300

Nancy Luttrell​ Bel Aire
“Bridge at Prairie Pines” (Acrylic)​$350

Rebel Mahieu​ Ashland
“Shadow Dance” (Mixed Media)​$500

Rebel Mahieu​ Ashland
“Love Hurts” (Pastel)​$400

Paul Martin​ Great Bend
“Shades of Age” (Acrylic)​NFS

Paul Martin​ Great Bend
“Shades of the Cool Shades” (Acrylic)​NFS

Paul Martin​ Great Bend
“Shades of the Fuzzy Duckling” (Acrylic)​NFS

Frank Martinez​ Wichita
“Blue Jar” (Ceramic)​$230

Frank Martinez​ Wichita
“Red Stem Bowl” (Ceramic)​$150

Frank Martinez​ Wichita
“Tall Jar” (Ceramic)​$300

Sherry McCurry​ Hutchinson
“Otto’s A” (Watercolor)​$500

Sherry McCurry​ Hutchinson
“Flower Angel” (Oil)​$500

Kathie L. Moore​ Hutchinson
“Solar Power” (Oil)​$350

Kirk Mustard​ Sterling
“Shazam” (Pen)​NFS

Emily Nuss​ Plevna
“Wynonnas’s Paint” (Graphite)​$700

Emily Nuss​ Plevna
“Kind Eyes” (Charcoal)​$700

Emily Nuss​ Plevna
“Chaps” (Graphite)​$700

Janice Richardson​ Hutchinson
“Two for the View” (Acrylic)​$375

Joe Schlimm​ Wichita
“The Works” (Watercolor)​$350
Muriel Schneps​ Sterling
“Ballet is Art” (Acrylic)​NFS

Muriel Schneps​ Sterling
“She Loves Flowers” (Acrylic)​NFS

Alvin Schultz​ Garden City
“A Clockwork Cicada” (Printmaking)​$350

Alvin Schultz​ Garden City
“Against the Wind” (Printmaking)​$350

Peg Stevens​ Hutchinson
“The Old Straw Hat” (Pastel)​$200

Taryn Stout​ Lindsborg
“Cathedral” (Acrylic)​$300

Gulnura Taylor​ Greensburg
“Bronc” (Watercolor)​$2100

Gulnura Taylor​ Greensburg
“Crochet Artist” (Watercolor)​$2100

Gulnura Taylor​ Greensburg
“Peace” (Watercolor)​$600

Lori Thomas​ Wichita
“Christchurch College” (Watercolor)​$280

Lori Thomas​ Wichita
“Ancient Ephesus” (Watercolor)​$350

Jan Thorp​ Wichita
“Frisco” (Watercolor)​$650

Jan Thorp​ Wichita
“Sunny Daze” (Watercolor)​$650

Jan Thorp​ Wichita
“Leaves and Berries” (Watercolor)​$550

Naomi Ullum​ Hutchinson
“The Light & The Crowns” (Oil)​$2500

Naomi Ullum​ Hutchinson
“Lemon Tea - Cool” (Oil)​$550

Naomi Ullum​ Hutchinson
“Clematis on the Fence” (Acrylic)​$325

Karen Voss​ Manhattan
“Singing Meadowlark” (Oil)​$150

Cathy Wilkins​ Hutchinson
“Poppies” (Watercolor)​$600

Ginny Young​ Manhattan
“Danseuse” (Oil)​$295

Ginny Young​ Manhattan
“Crucified” (Digital Photography)​$195

24/03/2026

2026 RCAC High School Exhibition Results

Judge’s Choice
“Low Visibility”
Acrylic
Keirah Davis
Lyons High

Best of Show Little River
“Leaf Impressions”
Lino Block Cut
David Crandall

Best of Show Lyons
“A World Within”
Pen and Ink
Keirah Davis

Best of Show Sterling
“Freedom”
Oil
Chelsie Brown

GOLD AWARD

Lyons
“This is Home” — Acrylic — Keirah Davis
“Unbothered” — Pencil — Angelica Pena
“Prism Guardian” — Watercolor — Tegan Tipp

Little River
“Kanopolis Cove” — Oil Pastel — Bryson VanEaton
“Ceramic Symphony” — Ceramics — Mia Bower
“Feels” — Pencil — Saio Neufeld
“Calm Collage” — Paper Collage — Brooke White
“Peaceful Gardens” — Oil Pastel — Sun Ching

Sterling
“The Run” — Pencil — Natalie Williams
“Evening Pose” — Watercolor — Jaiden Jaeger
“Pawn” — White Charcoal — Lathem Kizzar
“All-Star” — Pencil — Gretchen Buchberger
“News” — Ceramics — Mikaela Miller
“Moments Before the Ring” — Colored Pencil — Josie Heter
“Homestead” — Oil — Natalie Williams
“Dali Vase” — Ceramics — Mikaela Miller
“Romanesque Revival” — Oil Glaze — Sydney Roelfs
“By Candlelight” — Colored Pencil — Julia Wohler
“Night Life” — Scratch — Jaiden Jaeger
“Bovine Stare” — Scratch — Nolan Wellman
“Pixeled Ducks” — Tempera on Canvas — Stokley Smith
“Bear in Black” — Ink — Kasey Spangenberg
“Dessert” — Oil Pastel — Kennadee Schmidt
“Battles” — Chalk — Julia Wohler
“Prowler” — Scratch — Kaitlyn Schwerdtfeger
“Hunter” — Scratch — Julia Wohler

SILVER AWARD

Lyons
“Elephant in the Tub” — Ceramics — Angelica Pena
“Berry Brew” — Ceramics — Alexa Mason
“Mindscape” — Oil Pastel — Tegan Tipp
“Three of a Kind” — Acrylic — Keirah Davis
“Veiled” — Pen and Ink — Keirah Davis

Little River
“Pike Point” — Ceramics — Duncan Olander
“Kitty” — Scratch — Lydia Ratley
“Complex” — Oil Pastel — Abby Schroeder
“Sunset Dream” — Ceramic — Cody Chappell
“The Hunt” — Pencil — Brooke White
“Pier Pressure” — Lino Block Cut — Jacob Paden
“Free Hugs” — Watercolor — Kenzee Bengston
“Baby” — Pencil — Lakin Wege
“Birds of a Feather” — Watercolor — Delilah Kaiser
“Radiant” — Paper Collage — Dempsey Lafferty
“Big Snuggles” — Pencil — Saio Neufeld
“Silent Swim” — Fabric Batik — Liberty Moore
“End Game” — Lino Block Cut — Eastyn Wohletz
“Groovy Mountain” — Lino Block Cut — Nash Look

Sterling
“Giving Peaches” — White Charcoal — Emma Lockhart
“Paper Mountain” — Collage — Sydney Roelfs
“Stacked” — Oil Glaze — Aspyn Black
“Flower Breeze” — Oil Pastel — Gretchen Buchberger
“Front End” — Pencil — Sebi Simpson-Eighmy
“Rough” — Pencil — Ameliyah White
“Lantern in Color” — Pencil — Nolan Wellman

MERIT AWARD

Lyons
“Shielded, not Hidden” — Pencil — Keirah Davis
“Cupcake Companion” — Ceramics — Keirah Davis
“Rhythms of the Reef” — Pen and Ink — Celina Lara

Little River
“Hell or High Water” — Watercolor — Jackson Mailloux
“Hometown Pride” — Fabric Batik — Bryson VanEaton

Sterling
“88 Lamb” — Pencil — Maddox Link
"Walking on Water” — Oil on Masonite — Mikaela Miller
“Fierce” — Pencil — Elizabeth Buchberger
“Out of the Water” — Pencil — Chelsie Brown
“Hermit” — Pencil — Maggie Madden
“Headlight” — Pencil — Levi Miller
“Fruit Shadows” — Colored Pencil — Izzy Kuhn
“The Ride” — White Charcoal — Cadence Padgett
“Instrumental” — Pencil — Cadence Padgett
“Tail Fin” — Pencil — Jacynn Boeken
“Running” — Pencil — Shade Carter

06/03/2026

We love hosting the Rice County High School Art Exhibition! Students from county high schools will have their work displayed for our communities from March 23rd through March 28th.

McPherson artist and art educator Michaela Groeblacher will adjudicate the show, and the Mattson Gallery will be open to the public.

Hours:
Monday, March 23rd-Friday March 28th: 9:30-6:00
Saturday, March 29th: 9:30-noon

Send a message to learn more

06/02/2026

Artist entry forms for the 2026 Prairie Art Exhibition are going in the mail! If you entered your work in 2024 or 2025, we have your address and are sending you a form. If you haven’t ever entered, or it’s been a few years, please reach out! You can either message us here on Facebook or contact Katelyn at 816-809-0233. We can email you the form or send you a hard copy along with a return envelope.

06/01/2026

Mark your calendars for the 52nd annual Prairie Art Exhibition! We are overjoyed to announce our 2026 adjudicator, Kansas artist Christina Renee Rodriguez.

March 28-30: Receive entries

April 3-18: Prairie Art Exhibition is open to the public

April: 19: Closing reception and award ceremony

We will be mailing out entry forms in February. If you've received an entry form from us in the past, expect to see one in your mailbox. If you've never entered and are interested in more information, please send us a message.