Art House 310 First Friday – Kelly Rundell & Michael Davenport
Opening Reception | First Friday August 1st, 2025 | 6-10pm
This event is free to attend and open to the public. Show hangs through August 24th, 2025.
Art House 310 is located at 310 S. Laura. Two blocks SE of Douglas & Washington in downtown Wichita.
KELLY RUNDELL
Sometimes artists present deep, moody work with a message that can change the world. But that’s not me. The only message I can relay now is that it’s okay, even necessary, to seek out lightness, happiness and fun, no matter how dark things seem to be.
So, welcome to my garden party! Because we have a shared understanding of what nature looks like, my art is immediately recognizable. My goal is not to be precise or realistic. Rather, I make joyful representations of flowers. Working with acrylic paint and ink, I fill paper with unique designs and color. I then cut the painted paper to create individual petals, leaves and other shapes. Like a jigsaw puzzle, I try different combinations and placements of the pieces. When it comes together, I have wildflowers–with the emphasis on wild. I find the process messy, but fun. And, importantly, the final art makes me smile.
See more of Kelly’s work on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kellyrundellart
MICHAEL DAVENPORT
Have you ever thought about the layers of yourself — the parts you show the world and the ones you keep tucked away? My work invites you to explore those layers, both in the art and within yourself. Through color, abstraction, and vulnerability, I aim to create space for emotional honesty, connection, and reflection.
At the heart of my work is the relationship between masculinity and vulnerability. I often depict physically strong men in tender, emotionally exposed situations to reflect the way I experience and process my own feelings. These figures disrupt traditional expectations of strength, revealing that real power can come from authenticity and emotional depth.
I work primarily in mixed media, using physical layers to echo the complexity of human emotion. Idioms like “falling in love,” “being held down,” or “protecting your heart” are explored both literally and metaphorically, offering viewers familiar entry points into nuanced emotional terrain. Each piece slowly unveils a part of myself that words alone can’t quite express.
Queer iconography plays a vital role in my practice. I incorporate symbols, gestures, and references drawn from queer history to honor those who came before me and to build a bridge between past and present. This is both a personal act of remembrance and a way of connecting with today’s LGBTQIA+ community — creating art that feels both rooted and relevant.
Recently, I’ve embraced abstraction more fully — letting bright colors, mark-making, and shape exploration bring joy and immediacy to the work. There’s something satisfying in this visceral, almost childlike play, which helps me express what’s difficult to say out loud. Blending realism with abstract elements lets me move between control and freedom, structure and release.
Subtle humor, double meanings, and whimsy are woven throughout my work. These elements encourage curiosity and connection, drawing viewers in while inviting deeper engagement. As a queer polyamorous man, I create from personal experience, but with the goal of amplifying underrepresented voices — especially in conservative spaces. By sharing stories through art, I hope to foster understanding, celebrate emotional truth, and honor the beautifully complex experience of being human.
See more of Michael’s work online at
https://michaelkdavenport.com or on Facebook and Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/micdav87
www.ArtHouse310.com
Facebook | @ArtHouse310, Instagram | @ArtHouse310, TikTok | @AngieAwesomePants
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