A Lookback at Get Ya Color On Adult Coloring Night at the Wichita Art Museum

The Wichita Art Museum concluded 2024 with a spectacular event, featuring Get Ya Color On Studios for another Adult Coloring Night! However, this particular night was unique. It was an enchanting evening with designs specifically inspired by the renowned Robert Peterson's 'Somewhere In America' Collection.

Robert Peterson is a contemporary artist who renders striking African American life, rejecting all stereotypes and telling vivid stories through the stroke of his paint brush.

Every Friday, the Wichita Art Museum opens it's doors for WAM NIGHT, where adults can come relax, unwind and graze the museums fine gallaries.

Through collaboration, Get Ya Color On and the Wichita Art Museum worked together on a distinctive project to produce colorable designs inspired by Robert's work, similar to an earlier collection that year in which Sontia crafted pieces inspired by the evolutionary {Im}Permanent Collection.

Sontia spent months, researching Robert Petrson's work to create unique colorable pieces that paid homage to his already exquisite collection.

Sontia explained Robert's work as "Stoically Powerful & truly inspiring." The journey began in mid 2024. Robert came to the Wichita Art Museum November 2024, and during his interview, he sat astute, speaking highly of his family, expressing the need to capture and share the stories of his loved ones, throughout his work.

"I studied Robert's work, frequenting the museum and really sitting with his masterpieces, for months before I ever attempted to picked up a pencil to even begin creating this mini collection of designs." Sontia says.

"His (Robert Peterson) work inspired me to look into my own family's story, which is how the first piece, entitled 'Her Name is Mary' was created. This design was a tribute to my grandmother. A woman who I'd admired in photo's but, never met. Without ever meeting her, I always felt that her eyes had stories that hadn't been told, which is similar to how the subjects in Robert's paintings makes me feel...I wanted to express that in the colorable designs for this project."

It appears that the 'Her Name Is Mary' proved to be a big hit during Adult Coloring Night, as it was one of the number one picks for those in attendance! Guests gathered under the famous Confetti glass chandelier by Dave Chihuly and unleashed their creative powers on Sontia's designs in the center of the Wichita Art Museum.

Sontia's second piece of the evening was largely inspired by Robert's Halo pieces and is entitled 'The Essence Of A Black Woman'

"I'm so grateful to Wichita Art Museum for giving me the opportunity to work on such a impactful project and pay homage to an talented artist like Robert Peterson.”

Want to join us for the next Adult Coloring Night at Wichita Art Museum? Join us Friday April 4, 2025 for new designs inspired by Impermanent Gallery! CLICK HERE for more information about this fun, FREE event !