First Friday Art Walk – May 2025
Step into a world of color, texture, and creativity with Maria Martin’s latest art exhibit. A lifelong artist, Maria’s passion for collage was sparked in childhood while watching her father work in his home studio. What began as playful exploration has evolved into a dynamic career in visual arts, where she masterfully blends mixed media to create striking, non-representational works with hints of the familiar.
Maria’s process is filled with excitement and unpredictability. Using acrylic paints, a variety of gels, and textured mediums, she builds depth through layers of monotype prints, bright colors, and intricate surface treatments. Oil pastels, chalk, markers, and pencil add expressive detail, while the fusion of print papers and inks brings each piece to life. Every artwork unfolds in a unique and unexpected way, keeping both the artist and the viewer engaged.
A longtime fixture in the Lawrence art scene, Maria studied art in Philadelphia before continuing her education at the University of Kansas. Over the years, she has been involved in numerous art exhibitions, including solo and group shows, and has earned significant recognition, including the prestigious City of Lawrence Phoenix Award for Visual Arts. Most recently, she was honored with the 2023 Best of Show award at Images Art Gallery’s annual juried exhibition.
Maria’s work is on display in private collections and galleries throughout the region. She currently serves as the President of the Lawrence Art Guild and works from her studio at Art Emergency in the East Lawrence Warehouse Arts District. Visit mariasmartin.com to learn more about her work.
Artist Image Gallery
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Our History
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NexLynx Gallery of Arts started in 2010, after being selected as one of the venues for the ReThink Topeka Exhibition and Art Walk that same year and each year after. The Re-Think Topeka Art Walk was a movement to spur re-building community awareness through art and cultural events. NexLynx continues to be a proud supporter of the art community with our monthly exhibits and opening receptions. We worked with the former Arts Council of Topeka, and now ArtsConnect to promote art in the community as a premier downtown gallery on the Downtown Topeka Art Walk.
The Gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the historic downtown Bates Building. Walter L. Bates' (1859-1903) last business enterprise was the building of the structures on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Jackson Streets, known as the Bates Block, which includes the I.O.O.F. Hall (117 W. 6th - c. 1910) and 123 W. 6th (c. 1902).
NexLynx Gallery was voted a Finalist for both 2016 and 2017 People's Choice Awards, nominated by people in the Topeka Community as their favorite stop on the First Friday Art Walk, a program of ArtsConnect.
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NexLynx Gallery of Arts