This month’s Friday Art Walk of Topeka will take place Oct. 7 at Southwind Gallery.

Southwind Gallery, joined with Framewoods of Topeka, is one of the founding galleries of the Art Walk. Nineteen years into existence, the gallery will offer art work done by Kansas artists. It is located at 3074 SW 29th St.

Gary Blitsch, director of Southwinds was a joy to interview on the upcoming event.

“We think it’s a major success,” said Blitsch. “We greatly appreciate all of the visitors. This event gives them a chance to see all of our art on display and to get to know us—that we are friendly folks, not snobbish at all.”

He said only 15 people showed up for the first Friday Art Walk, compared to the 200-250 people who attend the events now.

There will be two artists painting during this month’s art walk, pastel painter Michael Duane and oil painter Allen Chow. Their work will also be on display for the November art walk.

Southwind Gallery also has published a book, “The State of the Art,” featuring all of the 150 pieces of art on display this month. The pieces were created by 80 artists, mostly from Kansas, with the exception of a few who have Kansas ties.

Oct. 7 will be the last opportunity to view the “Kansas-150 Juried Art Competition” pieces featured in the book.

Ashley Backhouse, manager of Soho Interiors which her family owns, also agrees that the art walk is very successful.

December marks the fourth anniversary of the art gallery. The featured artist is Jane Heiserman, from Perry, Kan.

She said that her art gravitates toward abstract faces or human form (or alien, as she said her husband refers to her work.)

Heiserman said she just sits down on the floor, without any idea of what she is going to draw, and just starts drawing. She said it gives her joy and provides great mystery to her work.

Still on display is last month’s featured artist, Carol Keehn, who creates jewelry art. There are 16-17 local artists’ work on display at any given time.

Mulvane Art Gallery will display part of the Permanent Collection. The gallery is currently closed to set up for its upcoming display and will be open to the public on Sept. 27.