Friday marked the beginning of a new era for one of Emporia’s most popular regular community events in the downtown corridor.
The July edition of the monthly Emporia First Friday Artwalk was the first without founder Kaila Mock at the helm, as Mock has made the move to Manhattan to join her husband, Joel Smith, at Syndicate Tattoo. Now leading the way for the organization is former First Friday Marketing Director, now EFF Director, Kat Dorcas, who joined the organization in 2022 following a lengthy career in communications, notably with Flint Hills Technical College.
During KVOE’s Primetime Newsmaker Friday, Dorcas previewed Friday’s activities and updated listeners on the transition into her new role. Dorcas joked that “Aside from a little panic for myself,” there are very few, if any, changes planned for the monthly event or the agency’s overall mission moving forward.
That said, KVOE News asked if there are any current plans to expand the event’s reach or offerings in the near future. Dorcas says they are always looking for new vendors, hosts and offerings that will help enhance the art walk’s impact locally and abroad.
The change in leadership comes during a banner year for EFF, which recently celebrated its 100th art walk and received the 2024 Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce Community Impact Award. For more information on Emporia First Friday, visit Emporiafirstfriday.com.
