Arthur Byron Kenyon

1946 - 2025

Arthur Byron Kenyon

September 7, 1946 - November 15, 2025

Wichita, Kansas - Art Kenyon was a character with character.

No dull moment lasted long around Art. A constant reader who knew that the book was the original immersive experience, he also immersed himself in many cups of carefully nursed coffee.

He was a dedicated conversationalist. He loved to talk to people. He loved to discuss people, politics, books and human nature. He had read widely about the Russian revolution and its consequences.

He was a constant thinker with an active imagination and a roaming curiosity. He was possessed of a mind critically thinking about everything. In fact, he has both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science from WSU.

He was not as well acquainted with that dubious practice he knew as exercise.

At one point, having read "The teaching of Don Juan" he made strenuous efforts to levitate, but returned to reality.

He collected art from regional artists he knew, including Fred Burton, Steve Murillo, Larry Webb and Art Fairchild.

In the late sixties, he was a founder of Wichita's first commune. A photograph of the inhabitants sans clothing, caused considerable comment around "Our Town."

He worked for many years at Kreonite Corporation, a large format photographic equipment manufacturer.

He was an active photographer and his collection of blues performers and other photographs constitute 985 items at the Wichita Art Museum. He was also a curatorial assistant at the downtown temporary Wichita Art Museum location during that period while the museum was closed for major additions and renovations.

He had traveled to India and Southeast Asia. He was in the Peace Corps. He was a frequent volunteer at the Tallgrass Film Festival and the Zoo where a memorial is established in lieu of flowers.

Often seen around town in a vintage Miati and wearing vintage hats, he was probably on his way to or from Watermark or the Vagabond.

He died November 15 after a short illness.

He is survived by his sister, Carolyn J. Kenyon M.D. of New Orleans and Phil Kenyon of Carol Stream, Il.

A celebration of Art's life, and a gathering of friends in his memory is scheduled at the Vagabond cafe/bar, located at 614 W. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS 67203, this Sunday, the 23rd, between 3 and 5 PM.

Our world was enhanced by his presence.