Compared to New York and San Francisco, Wichita may seem devoid of culture. But on the last Friday of every month, the city comes alive with vibrant local art.

Ever since it began in April 2009, the Final Friday events take place on the last Friday of every month. The event features a variety of artists- professionals, amateurs and students. During the event, several art galleries, museums, restaurants and retailers participate by opening up to the public and displaying visual artwork like paintings, photographs, sculptures and installations.

“Final Fridays are fun,” said Melinda Sudbrink, a fine arts sophomore at WSU. “It is inexpensive and a good chance to expose yourself to all types and forms of art.”

Since it features several artists, the wide range of artwork appeals to multiple demographics. Apart from benefiting the average art patron, Final Friday is quite important to art students who are seeking avenues to display their work and have their work received by a significantly large audience.

“My experience at Final Friday is very warming,” said Matthew Eames, a Wichita State University graduate. “For a city as expansive as Wichita is, the amount of appreciation for art can be limited. When Final Friday comes around, it’s nice to see how many people come out.”

As a student at WSU, Eames participated in the Final Friday on multiple occasions. He works a studio resident technician at the Carbondale Clay Center in Carbondale, Col.

The hours of operation for different venues may vary. However, all participating venues remain open between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. There is no charge for entry, and some artwork selections are typically available for patrons to purchase.