Hannah Worthen is no stranger to the Emporia First Friday Artwalk. Nearly seven years ago, she was asked by former director Kaila Mock to join the walk and she’s “done them ever since.” Now, she can mark something else she’s also done: be one of the artwalk’s featured artists.
Worthen is a life-long artist. The 15-year resident of Emporia said that her family always encouraged her to express her creativity growing up.
“I was always doing an art class or coloring on something,” she said.
“Lisa Frank meets Kansas” is how Worthen describes her artistic style. She focuses on vibrant colors and animal portraits, citing her kid as her biggest inspiration. Worthen often uses acrylic paint on canvas or upcycled materials like wood and glass in an effort to “keep things out of the landfills.”
“I don’t want to create more things to add to the growing problem, I want to use items already here. The best that I can, anyways,” said Worthen.
Outside of her artistic endeavors, Worthen volunteers in a world-wide preaching network to help teach about the Bible. She also homeschools her kid and spends time with her dog.
Since her beginnings with EFF, Worthen said that she has “done everything” for the artwalk. She’s been in almost every business for the art walk, won the EFF sticker design contest and has had her own exhibit in Trox Gallery. Receiving the designation of featured artist was her final goal.
“I felt a lot of emotions being this art walk’s featured artist,” said Worthen. “…but this was like the last thing I personally wanted to accomplish- to be able to say I have officially done everything on the art walk. Kinda silly, I know. But it was a goal…and it’s now been achieved.”
Worthen is grateful for the opportunities afforded to her by EFF, she said. She hopes that everyone who experiences her artwork will “take away inspiration to go out and create their own beautiful works of art!”
Emporia First Friday will host their next art walk on Oct. 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. October’s featured artist has not been announced.
