First Friday Art Walk

NexLynx Gallery is the “must see” art gallery on the First Friday Art Walk located in the historic Bates Building in the heart of Downtown Topeka. Beginning in 2010, we have shown hundreds of original photographs, paintings, carvings and sculptures from dozens of local and regional artists. The First Friday Art Walk is our “Opening Reception“ for each new monthly exhibit at NexLynx Gallery of Arts. The First Friday Art Walk is a program of ArtsConnect.

First Friday Art Walk – October 2025

Jump into the colorful and imaginative world of Phoebe Trites. Her paintings explore the themes that inspire her most; fantasy, landscapes, and the beauty of nature. Using primarily acrylic paint, Phoebe brings her ideas to life on canvases of all sizes, from tiny 2-inch squares to large statement pieces. Often working on several paintings at once, letting her creativity flow as inspiration strikes.

Phoebe was born with Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus, conditions that have also contributed to her dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. Rather than holding her back, these challenges have given her a unique way of seeing the world. For Phoebe, art is more than self-expression—it is a source of healing and strength.

At just 17, Phoebe has already built an impressive artistic path. She began painting in 2018 and has shown her work in both Florida and Kansas. Her piece Mischievous Cats was recently published in a San Francisco online art magazine, and her painting Calm Flight of Imagination is featured at the “What Do You See?” show in Overland Park. For more information visit her website, phoebetritesart.com.

Artist Image Gallery

  • Our History

  • 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.

    • NexLynx Gallery of Arts