CathARTic: A History
The CathARTic Art Expositions in Wichita KS began in October 2005,
with it's first exhibition CathARTic: What Scares You at an Old Town
web design firm. Curated by that company's then marketing
coordinator, Matt Orsman, the concept was for each artist to do a
piece or pieces showing their own greatest fears. It was a phenomenal
success, leading to several more monthly art shows over the next year.
When Orsman left the web design firm for a job in motion picture graphics, he decided that he would continue the CathARTic show in another venue. Enter one of Matt's featured artists, Patty Ringgenberg.
Patty and her husband Randall were on the board of directors of the recently formed Wichita Film Festivals, Inc., and had just had their grand reopening at their facility, the 20th Century Center and Murdock Theatre. They were glad to provide a venue for the art show, and the 20th Century had just the right ambiance.
The 20th Century Club Center was, in its first incarnation, the private residence of a prominent Wichita judge. At the turn of the century, while the home was still quite new, it was acquired by the 20th Century Club, a fledgling organization whose founder, Mrs. Louise C. Murdock, hoped to establish a lasting cultural and civic group specifically for Wichita women. Mrs. Murdock's club flourished and as the country in general moved from Jazz Age excess to the grip of the Great Depression, the Club found itself in need not of reduction, but expansion. The Center's middle structure was thus added as an entryway to the expanded club, followed by the 500-seat Murdock Theatre. Throughout the remainder of the century and the beginning of this one, the Club has continued its work, cultivating the cultural life of Wichita, and maintaining the Center with remarkable care. Particularly impressive is the Theater, with its balcony, shuttered windows, original frescoes, and Art Deco chandeliers.
So it was decided that The second CathARTic art show, named -- in good
horror movie fashion -- CathARTic 2: What Still Scares You, would be
held in the victorian parlor. 'Twilight Zone" episodes, a performance
art piece, and a classic Horror film, Roman Polanski's "Famous Vampire
Killers" would concurrently be shown in the Murdock.
Well it was mentioned several times during that successful event that Wichita has a burgeoning filmmaking community, and it might be fun to do a film festival of Short Horror Films the next year. So that's exactly what they did.
CathARTic 3: Reel Scary opened on the Final Friday in October 2007.
Not only did they have the art (this time the artists were asked to
base their pieces on the title of a movie, without using any of the
key art or imagery FROM the movie), but also a full compliment of
Short Horror Films from both local and nationally known filmmakers.
It was held as a fundraiser for the Wichita Film Festivals, to help
with operating costs and planned upgrades such as a first-floor coffee
shop and dedicated art gallery, and the development of an expansive
film reference library.
It was also somewhat successful, but both Matt and the Ringgenberg's realized that the program was going to have to grow to be able to effectively help with the upgrades. More than one night. Special guests. Make CathARTic an event not to be missed.
Which brings us to Friday Nightmares. Big things are happening. CathARTic is becoming its own business entity as a philanthropic organization, helping charities while expanding the cultural gamut of fine and cinematic arts, especially genre-related.
No longer a single night event, plans are for this year's event to kick off on Halloween 2008, with the 4th annual Art Show and Film event, and continue into 2009 with events on Friday the 13ths of both February and March. And NEXT October? 5 Fridays of Fearful Fun for our Fifth Anniversary!
Be part of our history, contact us for more information TODAY!
