Origin Story
The Sumner Center features artists on a rotating basis though our Featured Artists
Program. The idea evolved from a consignment sale, photo display that Sumner
County Economic Development Commission (SCEDC) was providing for local
photographer Rhonda Newberry, from R. Newberry Photography. At the suggestion of
SCEDC we spoke with Rhonda about how we might help her further. From this
discussion around helping one artist through display of her work at the Sumner Center,
it became clear that by establishing an ongoing program we might, in a small way,
benefit emerging as well as established artists, help contribute to downtown
revitalization, and add to quality of life.
Elements of the Featured Artist Program
Presently our Featured Artists program consists of a static display, an Artists Drop-In. It
will soon also include ongoing reference here on the Sumner.Center site.
Selected pieces by each Featured Artist are presented for public viewing in the center of
downtown Wellington, Kansas through the West facing storefront window and exit doors
at the Sumner Center. For two-dimensional pieces we prefer to use the wood wall
paneling that came out of the old shoe store as our display format. Doing so helps
connect the new with the history of the City. Thought has gone into the future display of
pottery, sculpture and the similar works, and we are accumulating stands with a view
towards providing additional display formats. We are also in the process of exploring
display specific lighting enhancement.
The Artist Drop-In is a free, evening event at the Sumner Center, during which the then
current Featured Artist is available to discuss their work, inspiration, evolution, preferred
media, and the like. We encourage Featured Artists to bring in additional pieces above
and beyond what is displayed in the windows. The Featured Artist is free to make the
drop in as formal or as informal as suits their interest. Although a formal presentation is
not required, artists who wish to do so may project from our video projector.
While Featured Artists are entitled to sell one or more pieces of their work, either in
connection with the display and/or the Artist Drop-In, they are not required to do so. If a
Featured Artist does choose to sell their work they are responsible for sales tax
collection, reporting and remission. Sumner Center LLC neither collects a commission
on the sale of any work, nor participates in the sale of any work.
Although the Featured Artists Program includes work of selected local artists, Featured
Artists will not be drawn solely from the City of Wellington, or Sumner County. Among
other things our plans include artists whose impact contributed to the renovation of the building
and creation of the Sumner Center, including in some non-obvious ways. We
will also be selecting Featured Artists who we want to bring in, given aspects of the
artist or their work that Sumner Center LLC believes can enrich the arts community.
Among other things we want to emphasize a breadth of media and styles.
Selection and Sequence
The selection and sequence of Featured Artists is not a grading or assessment of the
artists, their work, or other matters. Selection is influenced by an interest in mixing
things up, availability, scheduling, specific display requirements and similar factors that
may include other programs at the Sumner Center. In addition, art is subjective. What
one Featured Artists Program is a private undertaking at a privately-owned facility. As a
result, there should be no expectations of entitlement as to either selection as a
Featured Artist, the timing of such selection, or the display of any specific pieces in any
particular way. Sumner Center LLC appreciates the generous assistance of our next-
door neighbor NPN Tattoo in helping to promote and recruit for our Featured Artists
Program.
The “Business of Art”
Let’s face it – like it or not there are business aspects to art. While Sumner Center LLC
does not require sale of any work, nor collect any commission, it does encourage all
artists to think carefully about the business aspects of creating and commercializing
their work. In a digital world it is often too easy for creators to be taken advantage of.
While Sumner Center LLC is not in a position to advise artists, exploration of copyright
protection, licensing versus sale, sale of prints not underlying works, watermarks,
signatures and the like is encouraged.
Participation Requirements
For Artists: The requirements for artists include entering into a Featured Artists
Program – Participation Agreement. This includes establishing clear expectations
regarding matters of scheduling, display particulars, protection of works, risk, sales of
work (strictly at the artist’s option), sales tax remittance, participation in the Artist Drop-
In, social media and ongoing reference on the website (www.sumner.center/artists).
For Visitors: While the Artist Drop-In is open to the public, the Sumner Center is a
private facility. As such we have General Facility Rules that are in place and apply to all
visitors. [Link]. These include, among other things, no smoking, vaping, illicit drugs,
outside alcohol, firearms or weapons of any kind.
