First Friday is returning to KU School of Medicine-Wichita this week, spotlighting a talented young artist in the first First Friday opening on campus in more than a year.

Mara Howes is a Wichita native and currently a senior at Wichita East High School. After graduation, she'll be heading to Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design with a $100,000 scholarship. She was also accepted to and offered scholarships by Parsons School of Design at The New School in New York City and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

The winner of multiple art awards, she's the recipient of two national awards. One of her pieces was awarded a gold medal in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and she received a silver medal in distinction for her entire portfolio that included a $1,000 scholarship.

According to Mara, "Routines" is a mixed media exhibit "about childhood." In her artist's statement, she says, "The childlike drawings respiting the confrontation of trauma in adulthood propose a deeper understanding of what is and isn't a dream. The exhibit deals with gender confusion, sexuality, childhood home, parents, emotional turmoil, lies, eating disorders and happiness."

The opening reception for the exhibit will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 7, in the William J. Reals Gallery of Art-East at KU School of Medicine Wichita. The exhibit is open to the public and masks are required. Use the clinic entrance at 1001 N. Minnesota on the KU School of Medicine-Wichita campus for the May 7 First Friday art reception.