A new exhibit in the William J. Reals Gallery of Art at KU School of Medicine-Wichita will give visitors a peek inside someone's daydream, according to the artist. 

"Windows Into Daydreams," an exhibit by artist Carissa Dacayo, will open Friday, April 7, in the William J. Reals Gallery of Art-West. A First Friday opening reception is open to the public from 5-7 p.m. in the West Atrium at KU School of Medicine-Wichita. Complimentary refreshments will be served.

The exhibit, which features watercolor, gouache and acrylic paintings, will be on display through May 31.

Dacayo, a self-taught watercolor artist and local farm-country Kansan, credits her husband and son as her muses, with her inspiration coming from the sweeping Kansas winds as well as social interactions. She creates pieces for her son's developmental creative space and offers private lessons for children interested in the arts, educating them about how versatile art can be and how it can help them cope in their formative years.

Her work is derived from her emotion and the emotions of those around her. As a mental health advocate and someone who battles with mental illnesses herself, her goal is to spread the magic and wonder of each emotion. 

In this exhibit, her goal is to showcase the pure magic of daydreaming and solitude. Each painting is specific and unique with each detail illustrating someone’s specific safe space. She also goes beyond the reserved scope and ventures into the absurdity that dreaming can be.

Dacayo described her new exhibit in a statement:

A peek inside someone’s daydream. Wacky, adventurous or cozy. Catered to the daydream’s owner, but a nice pit stop for you. These detailed, vibrant paintings act as an escape from the mundane. They are illustrated portrayals of what goes on inside our minds for brief moments. The little details offer a way of travel through each piece and add to the daydreamer's narrative. The vibrant color adds to the dream-like scene from exaggerating color in our everyday surroundings. Their purpose is to give the viewer a break from anything that may be burdening them.

The William J. Reals Gallery of Art is free and open to the public. The public entrance is the patient entrance on the east side of the building (1001 N. Minneapolis). Parking is available in the visitor parking lot or on Minneapolis Street.