Envision Arts Gallery Hosts Holiday Greenery Craft Night

Envision Arts Gallery Hosts Holiday Greenery Craft Night

By Beth Walker • Dec 22, 2023
A collage of art participants with their holiday wreaths.

Blog Content

The Envision Arts Gallery recently hosted a craft night that brought Envision Arts participants, Envision employees, community members and family members together in the spirit of the holiday season. The inspiration for the event came from Susayn Brandes, Chairman of Great Plains Ventures and owner of the Aloft Hotel of Northeast Wichita. Brandes has been a longtime supporter of Envision, most recently collaborating on a mural facing the highway at the Aloft Hotel Wichita that the Envision Arts team helped create and bring to life.  

“Susayn had been hosting craft nights for friends and family at her house, then came to me with the idea of offering a similar experience for individuals who are blind and visually impaired,” said Sarah Kephart, Envision Arts Manager. “She explained to me that the craft projects activate all the senses, and she really wanted people who are blind or visually impaired to have the opportunity to experience it for themselves and tap into their own creativity.”  

Brandes brought in Landscape Architect to the gallery to assist in the creative process. Volunteers Becky Landers, Sandy Arnold, and Rabecka Eakins brought flats of Douglas Fir, Pine, Cedar, Box Wood and Holly, along with a variety of ribbon and holiday decorations to help participants make their holiday greenery baskets and wreaths. Participants had a choice to either bring a vessel or wreath frame or select from what was provided. The event was catered by The Kitchen, located in the Historic Union Station downtown next to the gallery, and wine and margaritas were served as holiday music played.  

“It was a true multi-sensory experience all around,” said Kephart. “As we begin to utilize the Envision Arts Gallery for more multi-sensory workshops and events such as the Holiday Greenery party, we are learning that as the gallery grows, the more the Wichita community at large is searching for new and stimulating experiences. Many want to gain a deeper connection to our mission and the community that we support.”