After a decade-long hiatus, Wichita State alumni and spouses John and Connie Ernatt reopened their art gallery, The Diver Studio, at 424 S Commerce St. in Wichita with a new exhibition on October 24, 2025. The opening drew a large crowd of family, friends, and local art lovers, featuring individual and collaborative works priced from $500 to $12,500, including a piece titled “Cold Sand” with price available upon request. The couple had closed the gallery during the COVID-19 pandemic to renovate the space, and this show marked their first public display in 10 years.
The reopening matters because it highlights the resilience of local art communities in the wake of the pandemic, as well as the personal motivations of artists to reconnect with their audience. John Ernatt noted the loss of friends and the urgency to create while the opportunity remains, underscoring how art can serve as a means of community bonding and personal expression. The event also reflects the importance of grassroots support in Wichita’s art scene, where word-of-mouth and local events like First Friday art crawls sustain small galleries.