This summer, a series of compelling exhibitions—ranging from immersive art installations to world-class photography retrospectives—are bringing rare collections and celebrated creative work to cultural venues within a day’s drive of Wichita. Below is a curated list of must-see exhibitions, organized by closing date.
“Fish Bro Show” | May 31–June 29 | The Volland Store, Alma, Kansas
The Volland Foundation Gallery hosts an exhibition that pairs Kansas-born artists and fishing enthusiasts Joe Tomelleri and Ray Troll. Tomelleri presents meticulous Prismacolor drawings of fish, while Troll offers surreal, science-informed illustrations. The gallery is open Friday through Sunday.
“KAWS: FAMILY” | March 15–July 28 | Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas
Featuring works by internationally recognized artist and designer KAWS, this exhibition includes drawings, sculptures, altered advertisements, and the 2021 sculpture “Family.” The show is organized by the Art Gallery of Ontario and is ticketed at $15 for adults over 25. General museum admission is free.
“Samurai: Armor from the Collection of Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller” | March 12–August 3 | Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa, Oklahoma
With over 80 artifacts including full suits, helmets, and horse armor, this exhibit spans eight centuries of samurai culture. Assembled over 35 years, this collection is considered one of the most significant outside Japan. General admission ranges from $8 to $18, with an additional fee for this special exhibit.
“A Match Made in Heaven: Katherine Bernhardt x Jeremy Scott” | February 7–August 3 | Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Overland Park, Kansas
This collaborative exhibit explores shared themes between fashion designer Jeremy Scott and contemporary painter Katherine Bernhardt, both born in Missouri in 1975. It features Moschino and adidas fashion by Scott alongside Bernhardt’s vibrant, pop-culture-infused paintings. Admission is free at the Nerman Museum, located on the Johnson County Community College campus.
“Renoir: A Luminous Evolution” | November 8, 2024–September 5, 2025 | Museum of Art + Light, Manhattan, Kansas
This immersive animated installation on Pierre-Auguste Renoir was the inaugural exhibit of the Mezmereyz gallery at the newly opened Museum of Art + Light. General admission is $10–$15, with Renoir requiring an additional ticket. Rotating exhibitions across three floors offer further reason to visit.
“Discovering Ansel Adams” | June 7–September 28 | Oklahoma City Museum of Art
This traveling exhibit showcases 124 photographs by legendary American photographer Ansel Adams, ranging from early works to iconic landscapes. The exhibit also includes portraits, personal artifacts, and correspondence. Admission, which includes all exhibitions, is $19.95 for adults and free for visitors under 18.
“PARTY!” | May 24–September 29 | Factory Obscura, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Created by fiber artists Krista Jo Mustain and Emily Madden, this interactive installation evokes childhood nostalgia through an imaginative, blanket-fort-inspired experience. Entry is $12 for adults and $8 for children ages 4–17. Factory Obscura also offers all-access passes.
“The Prison Concerts” & “Front Row Center” | May 24–October 12 | The Momentary, Bentonville, Arkansas
The Momentary explores the intersection of music and photography with two major exhibitions. “The Prison Concerts” presents Jim Marshall’s photographs of Johnny Cash’s Folsom and San Quentin performances. “Front Row Center” features 70 images by Larry Hulst documenting rock, blues, and soul legends from 1970 to 1999. Both exhibits are free to the public.
“WE THE PEOPLE: Portraits of Veterans in America” | May 24–December 2025 | Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum, Abilene, Kansas
Watercolorist Mary Whyte’s exhibit features 50 large-scale portraits of veterans from each U.S. state, showcasing a diverse cross-section of American service members. General admission is $10–$20.
Museum of BBQ | Opened April 12, 2025 | Crown Center Shops, Kansas City, Missouri
The world’s first museum dedicated to barbecue has opened in Kansas City. Developed by local author Jonathan Bender, the museum features 10 interactive installations, from spice-scent sniffing stations to hands-on smoker wood samples. A bean pit play area and a gift shop stocked with sauces and rubs round out the experience.
From world-renowned photography and ancient samurai armor to pop art and sensory-driven installations, these exhibitions offer rich cultural experiences close to home. Whether for a weekend outing or a summer-long art tour, these destinations promise to make the trip worthwhile.
