Emily Ritter began her role as director of the Steckline Gallery in Fall 2024.
Ritter was no new face upon her appointment, having had a previous year under her belt working as the assistant professor of digital design at Newman University, which she began in Fall 2023.
Located on the campus of Newman University, Steckline Gallery is the perfect landing point for an idea to become reality. This gallery is one of the premier galleries in Kansas and offers monthly exhibits during the academic year. It features an array of artists each semester: local, regional, national and international artists have displayed their work in the Steckline.
Prior experiences
Ritter’s prior work experiences prepared her well for the position of director. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art with an emphasis in printmaking from Wichita State University in 2012. In 2014, she became an intern-in-residence at Women’s Studio Workshop in Rosendale, New York, then earned her master’s degree in fine arts from Arizona State University in 2018.
But Ritter’s long list of accolades doesn’t stop there.
Her experiences also include being an instructor of record for foundational art courses, working in several nonprofit places such as Phoenix Center for the Arts and Mesa Arts Center, both in Arizona, as well as City Arts in Wichita.
Bringing artists to the Steckline Gallery
Newman University’s Steckline Gallery encourages appreciation and understanding of art and its role in society through direct engagement with original works of art and the artists who create them. The gallery promotes active learning about art, cultural diversity and the creative process by teaching and dialogue among communities of Newman students, faculty, artists, scholars, alumni and the general public.
“The most rewarding aspect of running the Steckline Gallery is working with a variety of artists,” explained Ritter. “You get to learn about their different processes and approaches to art making, experiencing their artwork in a more intimate way.”
Additionally, Ritter is passionate about showcasing emerging artists who haven’t had the opportunity to show their work.
“There are so many different worlds within the art community and I strive to expose students and the larger Wichita community to artists from all those different worlds,” she said. “Emerging artists, business-based artists, or fine arts academic artists — I want our students to see all the different paths they can take and all the different types of art that are out there.”
Gather in the gallery
Ritter encourages students, faculty and staff to visit the Steckline Gallery for Art for Lunch and First Friday.
Art for Lunches takes place from noon to 1 p.m. on the Thursday before each First Friday and allows guests to listen as the artist discusses his or her work. Students can also enjoy a pizza. First Fridays occur each academic month. All Steckline Gallery events are free and open to the public.
“I enjoy having these artists that work in a variety of mediums show their work,” Ritter explained. “Of course we have the traditional artists that are painters or sculptors, but I also try to exhibit artists that work in new and experimental ways, like screenprinting with dust. I like having variety in the gallery, from traditional to experimental, fun to serious and weird to standard.”
Inspirations
While Steckline Gallery takes up much of Ritter’s time and efforts, she still finds time for her first love and passion.
“Nature is a huge inspiration of mine,” said Ritter. “I tend to pay attention to both the little detail and the bigger picture; those observations definitely influence my artwork. I am currently working on a new body of work where I am combining my nature illustrations with my emotions drawings.”
Ritter plans to display her new body of work at the Clayton Staples Gallery, located at Wichita State University, in March 2026.
You can stay up to date with all the latest news announcements at the Steckline Instagram page (@steckline_gallery) and Ritter’s personal social media accounts (@emilyeritterart).
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