Magic Makers

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👏 Way to go, Hutch Rec team! 🎨

We’re so proud of our Community Initiatives division for an inspiring presentation at the Kansas Recreation and Park Association conference highlighting programs where artists lead the way like: Third Thursday and Magic Makers.

Denice & Jace sparked meaningful conversation and energized recreation and parks professionals from across the state to look through a creative lens.

Thank you for championing creativity, elevating arts and culture, and reminding us that when artists are empowered to lead, communities shine a little brighter! ⭐️

Check out the 2026 Third Thursday themes!

Art. Music. Community. Always.

Happy New Year, friends! The 2026 Third Thursday themes have just dropped!

Artist and musician submissions are open!

Visit our website to see how you can be a part of the movement and help shape the year ahead. https://bit.ly/3Ag39XN

Happy New Year! Please read for some insight behind our work!

Happy New Year! Read the first edition of our Community Initiatives Newsletter! https://bit.ly/3YlsPdT

✨𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐲: 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐈’𝐦 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 —

During September’s Third Thursday, DCI Park became a living canvas of memory and place. Poems, stories, art, and photos revealed the some of the voices of our community — echoes of where we’ve been and visions of where we’re going. Thank you to everyone who shared their piece of “where I’m from,” and helped weave together this collective story of our community.

𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘳𝘴:
Jacelyn Chambers
Jennifer Pettay
Glenn Koster
Jennifer Wiegel
Tammy Gilley
Denice Gilliland
Loribeth Reynolds
Bradley Reynolds
Collin Roberts

✨ What’s going up in Downtown Hutchinson? 👀

The Magic Makers have been busy behind the scenes… and they just pulled off something BIG. The Prism Passage has officially arrived in Avenue A Park! 🌈

Come see it in person at Third Thursday as our last hoorah to the summer season — and don’t forget to snap a pic under the colors!

✨ Magic Makers Gathering – September ✨

We’re kicking off this month’s storytelling gallery theme, "Where I’m From," with a creative night at 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 on 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭. 𝟏𝟏, 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟔:𝟑𝟎–𝟕:𝟑𝟎 𝐩𝐦. Everyone is invited!

Join us for a playful Poetry Mad Libs activity where we’ll explore the theme of Where I’m From together. No writing experience needed — just bring your curiosity and a willingness to create!

The piece you create during this gathering can even be submitted to the Magic Makers Gallery for this upcoming Third Thursday display!

Grab a coffee, connect with friends, and let’s see what stories unfold.

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Don’t forget to stop by DCI Park and take a selfie with a Positivity Pet at Third Thursday!

Join us tomorrow - Thursday, August 14 at Hutch Rec Downtown for a Positively Pets sign painting evening. Everyone, no matter skill, or experience is welcome to join!

🐾🎨 CALLING ALL PAW-SITIVE PEOPLE! 🎨🐾

We want YOU to be a Third Thursday Magic Maker! Swing by Hutch Rec Downtown (17 E 1st Ave.) and pick up a blank yard sign to turn into a paws-itively uplifting work of art featuring your pet: dog, cat, hamster, hedgehog ... all furry (or feathery!) friends welcome!

•Free to participate
•All ages and abilities welcome
•Pick up + drop off signs: Hutch Rec Downtown (17 E 1st Ave)

Return your finished sign to us by Tuesday, August 20 at 5 PM.

✨ All signs will be displayed during Third Thursday’s Dog Days of Summer on August 21 in DCI Park!

🐾✨A big round of a-paws to the incredible team at Adams Brown. This Magic Makers crew spent their morning building and painting a custom dog obstacle course for Third Thursday's Dog Days of Summer, August 21.

Their hard work and heart will be on full display in DCI Park, where pups and their people can enjoy the course all evening long.

Help us say thank you for bringing the magic to Downtown Hutchinson!

✨ Magic Makers at work! ✨
We've had some great Positivity Pollinator signs show up already today.
It's not too late to join the fun! All are welcome! We'll be in Chester I. Lewis Plaza tonight, July 16 from 5:30-7:30 PM with signs, paint supplies, light snacks, and lots of creativity! Our signs will be displayed at Third Thursday and travel to other locations throughout the year spreading positivity!