Wichita Arts Panel Explores Vaccine Science
A new exhibition at Ahlberg Hall pairs medical expertise with thermal photography to visualize body reactions to vaccines.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Fine Art
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The Ascension Via Christi-Wichita State School of Nursing and the Ulrich Museum of Art recently hosted a panel discussion on vaccinations in Wichita. The event showcased the photography series Injection Site by artist Linda Alterwitz.
Why it matters
The exhibition serves to illustrate physical body responses to vaccinations while providing a public forum for medical professionals to debunk myths. It highlights the intersection of artistic inquiry and scientific understanding.
Artist Linda Alterwitz captured these images using specialized thermal lens cameras between 2021 and 2023. The project specifically focuses on human arms photographed at the exact site of injection within a range of 20 minutes to 30 days post-vaccination.
The players
Linda Alterwitz
She is the artist behind the Injection Site photography series which explores medical themes through thermal imaging.
Ulrich Museum of Art
This museum based in Wichita serves as a cultural hub for artistic research and community engagement.
Ascension Via Christi
This healthcare provider operates facilities throughout Kansas and partners with local academic institutions for medical education.
The details
The event featured a combination of visual displays located in Ahlberg Hall and a question-and-answer session led by medical professionals. Panelists addressed both the biological processes visualized in the art and common misconceptions regarding vaccine safety.
Timeline
The COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.
Vaccinations were made public in 2021.
Linda Alterwitz created the Injection Site series between 2021 and 2023.
The panel discussion and exhibition presentation occurred on Oct. 22, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This project reflects a broader trend of integrating scientific inquiry into fine art exhibitions following the 2021 global COVID-19 vaccination rollout. It highlights how institutions are increasingly using visual media to bridge gaps in public understanding of complex health topics.
Residents can view the photography series currently housed within Ahlberg Hall on the university campus. The exhibition provides visitors with a unique visual perspective on post-vaccination body reactions that is not typically accessible in a clinical setting.
The takeaway
Artistic exploration can offer unique ways to visualize medical concepts that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye. Viewing these images may help community members better conceptualize the physical responses to vaccination in a non-clinical setting.
Further reading
For more information on current exhibitions, visit the Fine Art section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Sunflower.
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