Mark Arts presents 'Subcreators: Elisabeth Owens & John Pirtle'
The Wichita artists earned the exhibition by winning the 2025 Versus live art competition in the 2D and 3D categories.
The following announcement was submitted by Mark Arts. It has been lightly edited.
WICHITA — Mark Arts presents "Subcreators: Elisabeth Owens & John Pirtle," a two-person exhibition featuring recent work by two of Wichita’s contemporary artists. The exhibition opens Friday, July 31, with a free opening reception from 5-7 p.m. and remains on view through September 19 in the Gladys & Karl T. Wiedemann Gallery.
Wichita artists Elisabeth Owens and John Pirtle earned their upcoming Mark Arts exhibition through the Vesus live art competition, an annual fundraiser. Courtesy photos.
Owens and Pirtle were the winners of the 2025 Versus: Live Art Battle, Mark Arts’ live 2D and 3D art competition, earning a joint exhibition. "Subcreators" explores creativity as an act of response. Through distinct artistic practices, Owens and Pirtle examine the relationship between what already exists — whether found in the natural world or within ourselves — and what emerges through the creative process.
Together, the exhibition invites visitors to slow down, look closely, and experience creativity as an act of reflection, discovery and connection. Owens, a multidisciplinary artist working in ceramics, painting, murals and graphic design, draws inspiration from the patterns, movement and complexity of the natural world. Her current ceramic practice combines wheel-thrown and hand-built forms with layered carving, hand-painted underglaze and custom glazing techniques, resulting in richly textured works that celebrate craftsmanship, curiosity and wonder.
Ceramic works by Elisabeth Owens. Courtesy photos.
Pirtle's layered paintings and mixed-media works examine the tension between our outward lives and our "sub-self," balancing structure with spontaneity to explore identity, perception and the complexities of human experience.
"Although our work takes different forms, we're both interested in creating in response to the world around us rather than apart from it," Owens and Pirtle said in a joint statement. "'Subcreators' invites viewers to look closely and discover the beauty, meaning and the stories that emerge when we engage deeply with what has been given."
Works by John Pirtle, from left: "Lemonade Masquerade" and "Life Before the Simulation." Courtesy images.
Visitors can continue the experience at the 'Subcreators' Gallery Dinner on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The immersive evening pairs contemporary art with a four-course dinner inspired by the exhibition, prepared by Wichita chefs Jen Reifschneider of The Belmont and Kevin Lebron of Larcher's Market. Between courses, Owens and Pirtle will discuss their creative practices and the inspiration behind their work, offering guests an opportunity to engage more deeply with both the exhibition and the artists.
Event Details
"Subcreators: Elisabeth Owens & John Pirtle"
The opening Reception is 5-7 p.m. Friday, July 31, 2026, at Mark Arts, 1307 N. Rock Road in Wichita.
Free; RSVPs encouraged.
Exhibition Dates: July 31-September 19, 2026
"Subcreators" Gallery Dinner: 6 p.m. Thursday, August 13, at Mark Arts. $150 per person (includes a four-course dinner with cocktail and mocktail pairings). Reservations required; seating is limited.
For more information, to RSVP for the opening reception, or to purchase Gallery Dinner tickets, visit MarkArtsKS.com.
Founded in 1920, Mark Arts is a vibrant regional arts hub dedicated to providing opportunities to appreciate and create art in an atmosphere of lifelong learning. Through exhibitions, classes, outreach programs, special events and cultural experiences, Mark Arts serves thousands of individuals each year across the Wichita region. Galleries are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Learn more at MarkArtsKS.com or call 316-634-2787.
Announcements are submissions from arts and cultural organizations and community members. They are published at the discretion of SHOUT editors and may be lightly edited. Send press releases and other announcements to emily@shoutwichita.com.
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