About OpenStudios Lawrence

OpenStudios Lawrence is a program in Lawrence, Kansas that animates vacant storefronts with practicing local artists.

The Program

OpenStudios Lawrence was founded in January 2026. The program is a franchise of OpenStudios in Wichita, conceived in 2018 by Elizabeth Stevenson. OpenStudios in Wichita has successfully served 100+ artists across 10 locations.

Leadership

John Harrison - Founder and Director, OpenStudios Lawrence

John is a musician, electrical/computer engineer, educator and new media artist. He is best known as the inventor of Friendship Lamps, interactive lights that connect you with those you love. To manufacture the lamps and to further explore related technologies, John founded Filimin in 2015. An active musician, John was Concertmaster of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra from 1998 through 2019. He is currently Concertmaster of Wichita Grand Opera. John also creates and installs interactive and immersive artwork as a solo artist and collaboratively throughout the region.

Tyler Lindquist — Collaborator, OpenStudios Lawrence

Tyler serves as a Vice President of Multistudio in Lawrence. His focus is on how architecture can energize a community. Tyler is an active part of the Lawrence scene, especially when it involves using local art to breathe new life into urban areas.

Fisch Bowl - The not-for-profit arm of Fisch Haus in Wichita, KS Fisch Bowl Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization that endeavors to promote the arts and offer a wide variety of cultural experiences and resources to the public. Thegroup created OpenStudios to address a fundamental problem: vacant storefronts drain neighborhood vitality, and rent is the biggest barrier to artistic practice. Fisch Bowl has continued to develop refined the model, resulting in a professional program that works for landlords, artists, and communities.

Selection Committee

OpenStudios Lawrence uses a local selection committee to ensure quality, community fit, and artistic integrity. Committee members include a rotation of local practicing artists as well as faculty and staff from Lawrence Arts Center and University of Kansas Art Department.