Fall Opening Exhibit – Downtown MHK

New Art Exhibition – Opening Reception
Saturday, October 4 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM | Downtown Manhattan

Meet our featured Artist at our Opening Reception – 
Join us at Midtown Plaza at 116 S. 4th Street for a special showcase of artwork by Daphne McNelly & Reagan Johnson

• 🕔 Reception: 5:00 – 7:00 PM

• 🎤 Artist Panel: 6:00 PM at Midtown Plaza

• 🖼️ Exhibits remain on view at Midtown Plaza, and The Underground through October & November

• Following the Plein Air Competition, our 409 Poyntz Art Space will host a special showcase featuring the works of this year’s participating artists. This exhibition will give the community an opportunity to view the completed pieces up close and celebrate the talent and creativity captured during the event.

Reagan Johnson is a self-taught photographer and a native of Olsburg, Kansas. She
specializes in concert photography as well as portrait and nature photography. From
2022 to present, Reagan has provided coverage for four publications of 73 concerts
featuring 132 different bands and artists. This coverage spans 35 venues across 12
cities in 6 states.

Daphne McNelly – is a watercolor artist based in Manhattan, Kansas, and I’ve been creating for as long as I can remember. Art, for me, is more than expression, it is a connection to the human experience, a language that communicates emotions and stories too intricate for words.

My work is recognized by vibrant colors, whimsical designs, and a love of floral elements. I draw inspiration from the natural world, the way flowers bloom and fade, the dance of light and shadow, and the endless possibilities of color and shape. Butterflies also appear throughout my work, carrying their own symbolism of transformation, resilience, and renewal. Their presence reflects my belief that art, like life, is ever-evolving, delicate, and full of possibility.

As a self-taught artist, my journey has been one of experimentation and continual growth, but also plenty of happy accidents. Watercolor constantly reminds me that I’m not in control. The way the paint runs, blends, or does its own thing keeps me on my toes, and I’ve learned to embrace that unpredictability. It’s a practice in letting go, laughing at the unexpected, and remembering that art doesn’t always have to be serious, it can simply be play.

In the end, my work is an offering: a celebration of joy, nature, and the moments that remind us to notice the extraordinary within the everyday and to always have a little fun with life.”