Artspeak Radio

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, October 2, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes author Dr. Sieglinde Othmer and artists Laura Nugent & Garry Noland.

SIEGLINDE OTHMER LAUNCHES JOYOUS LONGEVITY: The A-Z Field Guide

Author Sieglinde Othmer brings an energy into any room that far exceeds that of the average 83-year-old woman. Petite and with a German accent, one is reminded of the late Dr. Ruth Westheimer as she enthusiastically describes her mission: helping others experience joy, health, and wellness as they age. “I want to help! I want to bust the myth that older age is bad. It’s a badge of honor. This can be a glorious period of devotion to ourself and our passions,” said Dr. Othmer.

JOYOUS LONGEVITY: The A-Z Field Guide is Dr. Othmer’s how-to of shared information for living. It is committed to positivity and proactivity in a quest for a long and fulfilling life. It is available for purchase on Amazon.com.
Woven through the book’s narrative are the optimism and practices of Dr. Othmer, herself. A child refugee from post-war East Germany (behind the Iron Curtain), she and her mother put optimism into action in a daring escape. Navigating the walls of being both a refugee and an immigrant clearly inform her navigation of the wall of aging, which she approaches as just one more wall to scale with youthful and healthful attitudes and practices. “Anyone can decide to escape the tyranny of aging and simply adopt techniques to embrace the freedom of joyous longevity,” said Dr. Othmer.

JOYOUS LONGEVITY: The A-Z Field Guide, follows Dr. Othmer’s psychiatric books co-authored with her late husband, Dr. Ekkehard Othmer, and her “Seven Cousins” series for young people. The latter garnered these awards: the Eric Hoffer DaVinci Eye Book Award, the New York City Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite, the Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite, and the Missouri Writers Guild First Place for the Best Juvenile Fiction in 2018.

Arranged in 26 chapters according to the alphabet, JOYOUS LONGEVITY: The A-Z Field Guide is highly readable and practical advice on how to navigate the biggest pitfalls of aging by integrating healthy habits and activities. In simplifying sometimes complex health and wellness information and focusing on small and manageable tasks, it offers hope as it fulfills the function of the perfect field guide for a satisfying life.
“Sieglinde’s wonderful A - Z approach to aging provides us fellow travelers with inspirational, motivating, fun and creative ideas to maximize every moment of our gift of life,” writes Joan Israelite, Consultant at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts Kansas City.

FOR REVIEWERS of JOYOUS LONGEVITY: The A-Z Field Guide. Request a review copy of the book
at joyouslongevity@gmail.com.
@joyouslongevity on X, Threads, YouTube, and Instagram
Facebook - Sieglinde Othmer, Page Joyous Longevity

LAURA NUGENT & GARRY NOLAND- Artists Garry Noland and Laura Nugent debut “Hanging Paper,” a site-specific installation of new works at the Olive DeLuce Gallery of Northwest Missouri State University. This exhibition runs from September 23 - October 11, 2024. An essay by Charlotte Street Foundation programs manager and past curatorial fellow Kimberly Kitada accompanies the exhibition.

Garry Noland’s exhibited works are chromatically charged assemblages of a wall-covering scale. Over months in the studio, they are constructed by adhering tinted, hand-shaped forms on a pieced together, sturdy paper substrate. Described as “paper on paper,” each added facet is covered in paint mixed with baking soda which dries to a gritty texture, a distinctly tactile addition. In building surfaces over time, Noland has an openness to both glitches and patterns...

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, September 25, 2024, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes Crystal Hernandez, Vincent Medlin, and Carol Barnett & Caryn Hohnholt.

CRYSTAL MARTINEZ is from Dallas, Texas. Crystal Martinez is from Dallas, Texas.
Crystal graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of North Texas in the spring of 2017.
Following her graduation, Crystal began working for KXII in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Crystal spent two years there reporting on stories that made national headlines, including the statewide teacher walkout at the Capitol in March 2018, and the legalization of medical marijuana.
Crystal joined the KNWA and Fox 24 News team in Fayetteville, Arkansas in June 2019 as a Weekend Anchor / Reporter. In April 2021 Crystal was promoted to co-anchor of KNWA Today and Fox 24 Morning News.

In 2023, she was nominated for two Mid-America Emmys for her story “Remarkable Women: Laurie Adkins” and “Cold Case: Who Killed Gail Vaught?”
In her free time, she enjoys yoga, hiking, and checking out local restaurants and shops. She’s always looking for new places to try so don’t hesitate to send her recommendations!
You can follow Crystal on social media on Instagram at Crystal.MNews and on Facebook Crystal Martinez News.

This upcoming Saturday, Crystal Martinez will be the host for the Mattie Rhodes Masquerade Gala, Saturday, September 28, 2024
For more information; www.mattierhodes.org

VINCE MEDLIN- My name is Vicente Medellin and I was born and raised in Kansas City. I have lived all over the city, from Argentine and Prairie Village, Kansas to east of Troost in Missouri. My family has been cultivated from humble Mexican roots. We are hard workers who love a good laugh. I was exposed to art at a very young age while watching my older cousin draw. This lit a spark in me and the magic of creating art consumed every waking moment of my being. As an adult, I found work as a character designer for both the animation and video game industries.

Recently, I have begun to explore my Mexican heritage through my art with the motivation that I may have a conversation with my ancestors through the process of creating. This process includes visual art, such as graphic storytelling and sculpture, as well as writing fiction and poetry.

Artwork by Vincent Medellin - am fascinated by the manufacturing of identity, both on a macro and micro cultural level, and the homogenization of underrepresented groups. Through my art, I seek to understand the racial logics of our society, in an attempt to help discuss and dismantle the institutions promoting cultural erasure. By fragmenting our historical timeline through portraiture, we see our history as non-linear and in a constant state of flux. For more information, or for commissions, please email me at vinnymedellin@gmail.com Follow me on instagram - @vincemedellin
https://vincemedellinportfolio.squarespace.com/

CAROL BARNETT & CARYN HOHNHOLT, Chief Development & Communications Officer with Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care
KC Hospice - Sunday Night Live is October 6!
Bring your family and friends and join your team members for an unforgettable evening! Help families in the Kansas City area who are affected by serious illness or by grief. Sunday, October 6, 2024 5 to 8 pm KC LIVE! Block – Power & Light District
All attendees will enjoy:
• The best of KC’s downtown dining
• Open bars offering your choice of refreshment
• Exciting games with desirable prizes
• Complimentary valet or garage parking
• Silent and live auctions
• Amazing raffle packages
Why every dollar raised makes a difference…in 2023:

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes guest co-host Christopher Leitch and artist Lucía Vidales.

Lucía Vidales: Hambre
9th Annual Atrium Project
September 20, 2024–July 13, 2025

LUCÍA VIDALES is a painter who lives and works in Monterrey, Mexico. She is currently an art professor at University UDEM and has been awarded three times with the Jovenes Creadores grant by the Secretaría de Cultura, Mexico. Vidales’s layered paintings engage themes of materiality, the body, and the consequences of historical and colonial imaginaries. The beings that populate her paintings suggest the potential for confrontation, but seldom follow through. Instead they play with humor or anxiety, or seek consolation from ancient wounds.

About the Atrium Project
This annual commissioned installation presents the work of emerging and mid-career Hispanic and Latinx artists, often providing an opportunity for artists to push their work into ambitious areas of exploration in subject and/or scale. Past projects are by José Lerma, Firelei Báez, Paul Henry Ramirez, Angel Otero, Joiri Minaya, Aliza Nisenbaum, Pepe Mar, and Sarah Zapata.
“The first time I lived in an international context, I noticed that Latinos and Latin Americans stayed long after meals to chat, have coffee, dessert, a drink, or a smoke at a leisurely pace. In Mexico, where I live, as in other parts of Latin America, mealtime and after-dinner conversations are culturally very important and privileged spaces for social life. The time spent cooking, preparing meals and all the activities that go into preparing a gathering are what is usually considered in the realm of female activities, and often part of unseen and unacknowledged labor. Those are also spaces for building close connections, solidarity, and enjoyment, gossip, confessions, and skill building.” –
Lucía Vidales

Lucía Vidales (b. 1986, Mexico City) uses drawing and painting to explore and expand traditional art subjects. Her installation Hambre at Kemper Museum, commissioned for Kemper Museum’s ninth annual Atrium Project, will reinterpret the subject of the Last Supper, reflecting on both historical and modern dinner scenes. Reflecting on the significance of mealtime in Latin America, Vidales highlights its social and cultural significance, as vital gatherings for community building, yet often involve unrecognized female labor.
In Hambre, meaning “hunger,” Vidales layers charcoal drawings of multiple silhouetted figures behind a painting of guests at a table, connecting the roles of chefs and servers with the diners. The 2024 Atrium Project expands to fill the museum’s central core, featuring preparatory drawings for Hambre and Vidales’s mural-scale painting Viendo Desde El Monte Calvario (2020), which modernizes the depiction of the site of Jesus’s crucifixion. Both multi-panel works reflect spirituality, community, and Vidales’s desire to broaden audiences to the nuances of iconic imagery and reconsider its evolution in meaning in contemporary contexts.

Hambre is organized by the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and curated by Erin Dziedzic.
The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art is located at 4420 Warwick Blvd. KCMO 816.753.5784 www.kemperart.org

CHRISTOPHER LEITCH served as Assistant Dean at Kansas City Art Institute. He was a consulting curator with the Center for Creative Studies, University of Missouri-Kansas City, and he was director of Kansas City Museum. Christopher has been a visiting lecturer and instructor at many schools across the United States.
Christopher earned an MA in Visual Arts from Goddard College in Vermont and a BFA from Kansas City Art Institute. He also attended the University of Oklahoma for three years.

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd talks with Artistic Director Unicorn Theater Ernie Nolan, Charlotte Street Programming and Residency Manager Patrick Alexander, and comic/performer Carlos Chamon.

ERNIE NOLAN, Artistic Director Unicorn Theater- Ernie Nolan is an award-winning playwright, director, and choreographer. He received the Illinois Theatre Association’s 2014 award for Excellence in Theatre for Young Audiences. As former Artistic Director of Emerald City Theatre, he helped create The Little Theatre, the nation’s first performance space dedicated exclusively to interactive and immersive theatrical experiences for early theatre goers ages five and under. Nolan’s work as a playwright has been featured both nationally and internationally. He has adapted and directed such storybook favorites as If You Give a Cat a Cupcake, If You Take a Mouse to School, Mo Willems’ Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, and The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle. His work at The Broadway Playhouse includes A Charlie Brown Christmas, Fancy Nancy The Musical, Pinkalicious, The Cat in the Hat, Cinderella, Charlotte’s Web, and the world premiere of Hansel and Gretel: A Wickedly Delicious Musical Treat, written in collaboration with GRAMMY nominated recording artist Justin Roberts.

As resident artist of The Coterie Theatre in Kansas City, MO, Nolan has directed and choreographed world premieres by such Tony-nominated artists as Willy and Rob Reale, Stephen Schwartz, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, and Bill Russell and Henry Krieger. For Chicago Playworks he has directed The BFG, The Giver, The Witches, A Wrinkle in Time, Number the Stars, The Day John Henry Came to School, Peter Pan and Wendy, and The Kid Who Ran for President.

In March 2012, Ernie made his Off-Broadway debut as a choreographer with Lucky Duck at the New Victory Theatre. Nolan is currently the International Representative for TYA USA to ASSITEJ, a global theatre for young audiences service organization. With his appointment at NCT, he departed his position as Assistant Professor of Theatre Studies at The Theatre School. He is a proud graduate of both the University of Michigan Musical Theatre Program (BFA Musical Theatre) and The Theatre School at DePaul University (MFA Directing).

Unicorn Theater is located at 3828 Main St. KCMO
www.unicorntheater.org

PATRICK ALEXANDER, Programming and Residency Manager- Negativeland, will perform as the headliner band at this year's OUTER REACHES Music Fest at the Record Bar on SAT. Sept 21st.
The following day, SUN. Sept.22nd 2pm the documentary, STAND BY FOR FAILURE will be screened as part of the The Kansas City Underground Film Fest (KCUFF) finale at Charlotte Street. The director, Ryan Worsley, and the band members will be in attendance for a pre meet and greet and Q+A after the screening.
https://kcuff2024.eventive.org/.../66be01f15958c4006c495bd7

• NEGATIVLAND BIO:
Since 1980, the multimedia collective known as Negativland have been creating records, CDs, video, fine art, books, radio and live performance using appropriated sounds, images, objects, and text. Mixing original materials and original music with things taken from corporately owned mass culture and the world around them, Negativland rearrange these found bits and pieces to make them say and suggest things that they never intended to. In doing this kind of cultural archaeology and "culture jamming" (a term they coined way back in 1984),
Negativland have been sued twice for copyright infringement. Their art and media interventions pose both serious and silly questions about the nature of sound, media, technology, control, ownership, propaganda, power, and perception in the United States of America.

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, September 4, 2024, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes Beth Noser, Addison Parrish, and Cory Imig.

BETH NOSER, a beloved figure in the local tech scene, is not just a children's book
author but a beacon of inspiration and exploration. Her debut book, Adventure’s
Calling, is making waves and officially hits shelves in mid-September.

Beth’s journey to becoming an author is as inspiring as
the tales she tells. Her new book, Adventure’s Calling, is a
call to action for adventure underlined with a heartfelt
tribute to a life-changing experience and a loving
homage to a mentor who left an indelible mark on her
heart. The book’s inception is deeply rooted in Beth's
personal story, shaped by her time at Camp BlueSky in
Nairobi, Kenya, and her experiences with an orphanage
nearby.
Beth’s personal life further enriches her storytelling.
Adventure’s Calling is a culmination of her life’s
adventures and a way to pass on the legacy of
exploration and bravery to future generations. Alongside
her husband Alex, Beth embarks on various adventures
with their two sons, Holden and Finnegan. These family
escapades, whether kayaking or exploring new places
have strengthened the family and inspired Beth to
weave her experiences into her writing. Holden and
Finnegan even appear as characters in the book,
symbolizing the courage and curiosity that drive the
Noserfamily.

Adventure’s Calling’s preorder campaign is available on
her website, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Proceeds of
the book sales go towards Beth and Alex’s adoption
fund. They are adopting their daughter from South
Africa.
Adventure’s Calling is an invitation to explore, dream,
and make a difference. Dive into Beth Noser’s world of
adventure and support a cause that will touch hearts and change lives.

PRESS RELEASE

Press Contact:
Beth Noser - Author
info@bethnoser.com 816-263-1366
www.bethnoser.com
www.facebook.com/authorbethnoser
www.instagram.com/adventures_calling

ADDISON PARRISH, KCAC Exhibition Director-Figwurm (Addison Parrish) is a local, emerging, artist born in 1997 in Des Moines, IA. He is a
self taught, multi-disciplinary artist, having spent the last 5 years (after completing his bachelors
in Marketing & Finance at Loyola-Chicago and California Polytechnic University) developing his
practice. This past year he has had 2 solo exhibitions in Kansas City at the Plug gallery and the
Kansas City Artists Coalition. His work has been exhibited across the United States, most
notably in New York, Arizona, California, Iowa, and Missouri. He is a black artist who is engaged
in community building and providing accessibility to the arts + greater quality of life for all.
Website: www.kansascityartistscoalition.org/exhibitions-1/protectnserve
IG: @figwurm
Upcoming news/events: Recently Hired as the Exhibition Director for KCAC, will be exhibiting
later in the year at Kansas City’s first and only digital gallery (Digital Dreams) combining
physical art, digital art, and music into a totally immersive experience.

CORY IMIG, CHADWOOD BROOKS KCAI-September 28, 2024 | 6 - 9 p.m.
Join us for an evening of revel with live entertainment, unique experiences, and delicious fare. Bid on works from KCAI Alumni, Faculty, Friends, and Staff in the silent auction or purchase outright in the Auction Marketplace.
All proceeds benefit the KCAI Fund and support student scholarships.

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, August 28, 2024, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes artists Matt Dehaemers, Isaac Tapia, and Rodrico Alvarez.

MATTHEW DEHAEMERS- 2024 Art Residency Installation; Is it Water Under the Bridge?
Project Overview-The Art and Natural Resources Residency (ANRR) is a short-term residency program to engage a local artist and allow them to embed with the JCPRD Natural Resource team to learn, respond artistically, and amplify this important work. The 2024 Art and Natural Resources Residency (ANRR) will focus on the role of water in Johnson County and the importance of clean water and quality watersheds as part of our regional ecosystem’s resilience. The art will respond to this theme and be placed somewhere along the Mill Creek Steamway within JCPRD.
Temporary Installation by Matthew Dehaemers Location: Mill Creek Streamway, just to the north of Prairie Star Parkway.
Directions to Artwork:
Address to Mill Creek Streamway Park: 10298 Ridgeview Rd, Lenexa, KS 66220
“It’s water under the bridge," as the saying goes. This implies that everything is okay now, there are no more issues. As I started to explore our watershed through various entities that work to protect and deliver our water, I learned it is no longer water under the bridge. It is not just something that is okay. There are many things that challenge our watershed every day. We all have a vital role in being good stewards of our watershed. It is something we take for granted when we don’t look below the surface.
During a rain event, water hits all surfaces and gravity makes it run constantly to the lowest point--from the roof to the ground, down the street, down the storm drain, into the creek, into the river and eventually to the ocean. All the while our water picks up unwanted hitchhikers such as oil, residue from overfertilized yards and fields, trash, etc.  All of this constantly converges merging into each other. The installation begins with 81 strands of rope that form 27 braids, then even larger 9 braids and still yet bigger 3 braids, ultimately becoming one large, massive braid. For me this represents the journey of our watershed and how we all have a hand in it.  Instead of the strands being all blue as water is usually represented, we have blue intertwined with yellow, orange, red and white representing the unfortunate mixing of these unwanted hitchhikers. The braid flows down through a large-scale water drop and eventually down back into our water supply. The pattern of the braid echoes the ebb and flow of water. I have learned over my residency from various experts about the watershed. Over time with construction and more paved areas our water has less ground to absorb into, creating the runoff of these hitchhikers. We have increasing flood events in which the peaceful Mill Creek before you becomes a massive flooding waterway.  It’s almost hard to imagine as you stand here, that during significant rain events, this creek has flooded over this bridge leaving debris and erosion behind. As a result of these events…as you look downstream to the north you will notice the banks of the creek so badly eroded that the entire root structures of trees are exposed, eventually widening the bank further and toppling these trees over. As one who enjoys experiencing this trail it is easy not to look closer at what is happening to our creek and riverbeds.
This rope also represents the collective efforts of all the organizations and people here in Johnson County who work tirelessly to keep our water healthy for our community to consume. They also work to educate the public on what we can do to keep our water viable. Local ecology specialists work to increase native prairies to slow down, absorb and filter our water. They also actively work to combat erosion and keep our two area riv...

Artspeak Radio, August 21, 2024, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org
Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes writer/art historian Elisabeth Kirsch and artist/activist Christopher Leitch.

ELISABETH KIRSCH is an art historian, curator, and writer who has curated over 100 exhibitions of contemporary art, American Indian art and photography, locally and across the country. She writes frequently for national and local arts publications including The Kansas City Star, Flatland KC, and KC Studio Magazine. Elisabeth Kirsch received her Ph.D in Art History, Religious Studies from The University of Missouri – Kansas City.

CHRISTOPHER LEITCH served as Assistant Dean at Kansas City Art Institute. He was a consulting curator with the Center for Creative Studies, University of Missouri-Kansas City, and he was director of Kansas City Museum. Christopher has been a visiting lecturer and instructor at many schools across the United States.
Christopher earned an MA in Visual Arts from Goddard College in Vermont and a BFA from Kansas City Art Institute. He also attended the University of Oklahoma for three years.
Christopher’s art works have been widely exhibited and toured, and his writings have been published in ArtPapers Atlanta, New Art Examiner and Ceramics: Art and Perception. Christopher was lead author of “LGBTQ Welcoming Guidelines for Museums: developing a resource for the museum field” in Museums and Social Issues, and he is a contributing author with Renae Youngs to companion article, “Diversity in Museum Hiring” for Museum Magazine. Christopher has presented papers for the American Alliance of Museums, Alliance of Midwest Museums, the Hall Center for the Humanities, and the Canadian Museums Association. More information at: www.christopherleitchstudio.net

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, August 14, 2024, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes designer/artist Sean Ramirez and InterUrban Arthouse Artistic Director Wolfe Brack.

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, August 14, 2024, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org
Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes designer/artist Sean Ramirez and Artistic Director interurban Arthouse Wolfe Brack.

SEAN RAMIREZ joined Build-A-Bear Workshop in 2017 as a Product Designer. Prior to BAB, he animated for Walt Disney Feature Animation on many of the most popular animated films of all time: Mulan, Tarzan, The Emperor’s New Groove, Lilo and Stitch, John Henry, Beauty and the Beast: Special Edition, and Brother Bear. A graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute, Sean’s illustration clients include Nike, Starbucks Coffee Company, Andrews McNeel Publishing and The Bradford Exchange. Sean is proud to be part of the Build-A-Bear team that dreams and designs thoughtful, expressive toys that spark imagination and encourage emotion-rich play. He brings his appreciation for global cultures and individual expression to every furry friend.

WOLFE BRACK, Artistic Director InterUrban Arthouse
Opening Reception “It’s the Little Things” Friday, August 16th 5-8 pm

About: 3 artists & 109 works of art, you don't want to miss this one!
About this exhibition:
Pay attention to the small, mundane, fleeting, and overlooked details in life, as they are the building blocks of our conscious and subconscious existence. It could mean a flash of joy and/or pain, fragments of memories, encounters, lessons learned, moments of inspiration, or sudden understanding. In a more literal sense, it could mean all the tiny physical things that make up our universe; infinitesimal quarks and atoms that make up the largest objects, the cells that compose all life on our planet, the bricks in a building, or the dust motes that cause our biggest sneezes.
You’ll, of course, see tiny paintings and sculptures, but also huge renderings of small things or ideas, short poems and performances, and conceptual pieces that do not focus on physical size. Just as we’d hoped we’d find, It’s the Little Things means a lot to a large number of people.
This show is in partnership with the Toy and Miniature Museum of Kansas City.
From scratch | open mic: https://www.interurbanarthouse.org/calendar/2024/8/25/from-scratch-arthouse-open-mic
Join ArtHouse residency artists Justin Canja and Nettie Zan for this awesome open mic event where anything goes and all are welcome. Bring your poetry, comedy, essay, storytelling, spoken word, juggling, miming, dancing, music, song, chant, cookies or party tricks and join into some creative community.
6 pm sign-ups, 6:30 - 9 pm open mic
cost: free
tickets: claim your spot to perform or simply attend below!
Creative Conversations 2.0
We're creating a series of small groups designed to improve human connection, personal creativity, and our overall well-being.
We are forming 2 new groups in our series "Creative Conversations".  One will take place on Weekdays and the other on Weekends.   No questions asked scholarships available (full and partial) to anyone who needs one.
We hope that these meetups will improve human connection, personal creativity, and our general well being.
• Are you interested in meeting some new people?
• Are you interested in having more courageous conversations?
• Are you willing to share and inspire others with some of your creative talents?

Project Funding: https://www.interurbanarthouse.org/opportunities-for-artists
Identity Performance Funding
InterUrban ArtHouse presents an open call for ou...

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, August 7, 2024, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes artist, writer, and podcaster, Jenny Hahn.

JENNY HAHN- I believe every person is creative and worthy of expression. Creativity is an inherent life force energy that opens a doorway to the soul and invites a deep exploration of what is true and essential. It brings deep joy, fulfillment, and helps us explore what it means to be alive, to heal and to thrive.
No matter how disconnected you might feel from your own creative flow, reconnection is just a brushstroke away.
Jenny’s debut book Creative Flow is here! Praised as “an exceptional guide” and “a treasure trove of practical teachings”, Creative Flow brings together twenty years of wisdom through vibrant visuals, real-life stories, writing prompts, mindfulness practices and creative expression activities using basic art materials, inviting you home to your fullest potential. Learn how to transcend fears and overcome creative blocks in order to discover the joy of free-flowing creativity, vitality, and self-connection.

Jenny’s podcast, Creative Nectar: Talks & Tools for Heart-Centered Living in a Changing World, co-hosted by Stephanie Gray, is a resource to support you on your own creative path. Listen to each new episode every other Tuesday, or browse the archive for topics that speak to you.

Tune in as Jenny talks about her book, discuss inspiration, and offers listeners prompts to open channels of creativity.

www.jennyhahn.com

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes artists Ruben Castillo, Andrea Cira, and Chico Sierra.

RUBEN CASTILLO is a visual artist and educator investigating themes of intimacy, queerness, archival history, and the body using a range of media including print, drawing, installation, sculpture, and video. His most recent imagery draws from photographs and documents, seeing the ordinary as a site for transformative potentials and connections. Castillo’s work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally at venues such as Print Center New York (NY), the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art (KS), the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (MO), Petaluma Art Center (CA), Haw Contemporary (MO), Semillas Galeria (MN), Highpoint Center for Printmaking (MN), Zygote Press (OH), Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (NC), Big Medium (TX), Front Gallery (LA), San Dao Gallery (Wuhan, China), and Doosung Paper Gallery (Seoul, Korea) among others. His work has been collected widely, both privately and publicly at institutions such as the Museum of Texas Tech (TX), Brooklyn Art Library (NY), Crossroads Hotel (MO), Mexic-Arte Museum (TX), Mulvane Art Museum (KS), National Museum of Mexican Art (IL), Queer.Archive.Work (RI), Zuckerman Museum of Art (GA), The Turner Print Museum (CA), and the Thomas J. Watson Library at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (NY), among others. In 2023 he received the Charlotte Street Foundation Visual Art Award and was a finalist for the 21C Kansas City Artadia Award. Ruben was born in Dallas, TX and received his MFA in Visual Art from the University of Kansas and a BFA in Printmaking from the Kansas City Art Institute. He has taught printmaking and drawing at the Kansas City Art Institute (MO) and Johnson County Community College (KS). He is currently an Assistant Professor of Printmaking in the Art Department at Skidmore College (NY) and is the Co-managing Editor of the Mid America Print Council Journal. A selection of his work is available through Uprise Art. rubenbcastillo at gmail dot com

ANDREA CIRA is a Mexican artist based in Kansas City. She creates intricate illustration compositions using cut paper, with much of her work inspired by her Mexican heritage.
I'm Andrea Cira, a paper artist and illustrator from Mexico, based in Kansas City. I create dimensional illustrations with cut paper, as well as 3D paper models. My passion is delivering colorful, detailed artwork to my clients in editorial, branding and publishing.
Growing up in Mexico, I was surrounded by vibrant colors, and traditional crafts. I learned the importance of creating something with my own hands and the value of the time and effort put into everything handmade. This upbringing has influenced my creative process, and I strive to incorporate these same values into every piece I make.
My creative process begins with sketching ideas for each project. Once the concept is defined, I meticulously craft dimensional illustrations and 3D paper models. After creating the physical piece, I photograph it and apply finishing touches using Photoshop and Lightroom to ensure the final artwork meets the standards. The completed designs are then delivered as digital files to my clients. Additionally, I offer the option of delivering physical pieces if needed for a different purpose.
In addition to traditional paper art techniques, I also specialize in digital illustrations with paper texture. This approach offers the flexibility of digital media while replicating the tactile feel of real paper, making it a cost-effective solution for certain projects.
Through my art, I hope to share the joy and beauty of paper creations with others. I believe that the process of creating something by hand is a meaningful and meditative experience,

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Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes Beth & Mark's BIG BANG at KC FRINGE 20.

30x BEST OF FEST Global Fringe Producing Artist & Core Big Bang Buffet Artist Beth Marshall & KKFI Radio Host & Co-Founder of Big Bang Buffet- Mark Manning reunite on stage at KC FRINGE 20 to take you on their unapologetic autobiographical journey of what it was like to BE FRINGE in KCMO BEFORE there was KC FRINGE ! A Performance Art -MixTape Buffet-set to the soundtrack of their friendship serving up laughter & tears of 35 years of friendship & delving into the dark artistic truths of the old mantra... "The Show Must Go On"... Or Should It?

MORE ABOUT THE SHOW
Beth & Mark's BIG BANG WORLD PREMEIRE at its heart is a story of longtime friendship through art and life. We delve unto the underbelly of the world of theatre with direct stories dealing with the national & local news of the ugly side of theatre including direct accounts of sexual abuse and news around late former Artistic Director of The Coterie Theatre, Jeff Church.
It is an autobiographical tale full of nostalgic memories of every art/theatre space of the 90's in KCMO and offers advice & inspiration for the future generations of all artists. Laughter, Tears, Memories, Friendship, Trauma, Empowerment, Flashbacks and Fringe!

OUR TEAM
Executive Producers: Big Bang Buffet (KCMO) & Beth Marshall Presents (Co/Fl)
Co Writers/Co-Creators: Mark Manning & Beth Marshall
Director: Beth Marshall
Stage Managers/Front of House: Chris Foster, BJ McBride, Janice Woolery
Sound Design: Mark Manning & Beth Marshall
Sound Mixer: Mark Manning
Logo/Poster/Program/Ad/Reel/Postcard/Social Media Design.... Christopher "CMAC" Mcintrye
Set Design Artwork.... Janice "JWoo" Woolery

Show Info: WORLD PREMIERE
Venue: The Center for Spiritual Living
1014 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO 64111
Part of KC FRINGE 20

ShowTimes:
9:00 PM Friday, July 19
4:30 PM Saturday, July 20
7:30 PM Sunday July 21st
7:30 PM Wednesday, July 24
9:00 PM Friday, July 26
7:30 PM Saturday, July 27
Show Length: 60 Minutes
Genres: Comedy, Storytelling, Drama to Soundtrack of our Lives
Show Warnings: Rated R (Adult Language, Mature & Sexual Context, Frank talk of rape, suicide, Jeff Church)
Ticket Price: $15 plus KC Fringe Button
Tickets & More Info: KCFRINGE.ORG

Past Press Quotes:
"The 1st Amendment isn't just for people who think like you. Free speech means sometimes listening to people and ideas which you may disagree. Kansas City's Performance Art Group BIG BANG BUFFET was founded on this belief and they have stuck to it" -Kansas City Magazine

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, July 10, 2024, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd talks with artist Fernando Achucarro, Missouri Miss Amazing candidate Haley Martin, and Amanda & Michael O’ Leary with Crossroads Comics and Art.

FERNANDO ACHUCARRO is an artist who has recaptured the mystical line and the visceral aspect of painting which seem so mistreated and prostituted in the modern era. His is a crude expressionism where desperate persons are shown with an extreme vulnerability, tortured by ghosts that inhabit the unconscious. Fernando uses a magical symbolism. His tortured bodies, sharp objects and carnal devils tell a story without words. He is the executioner of the romantic ideal of beauty. Religion is a constant obsession in his work, one that oppresses life and the natural impulses of man. In Fernando's work, woman are a difficult muse to obtain and every kind of obstacle appears. Love is constantly lost in the universe of madness and desire. Ghostly visions govern the stage of the tortured painter, they move between heaven and hell in search of the absolute. Dark angels protect the condemned prophet who observes life from his dark kingdom of loneliness. The testimony is honest and painful. Love cannot be bought. Ghostly visions govern my scenario that moves between heaven and hell in search of the absolute. My testimony is honest and painful. Love can not be bought.

Education Finish education in Asuncion Paraguay Visual Artist - Musician Work History • Self employed Fine Artist 3/01/2008-Present Participates in group and private art shows in local galleries, and creates Resume October 2021 “C.D.L”Leedy- Voulkos art center October 2020 “Memories”Leedy- Voulkos art center October 2019 “Night visions”Leedy- Voulkos art center. November 2016 “Paraguayan Mythology” October 2015 “Line up”Leedy - Voulkos art center Cabinet of Curiosities, Group Show,Slap-n-Tickle Gallery, KCMO, USA 2012 • Things, Slap-n-Tickle Gallery, KCMO,USA 2011 • Mod Gallery, KCMO, USA, 2011 • Bang, Bang Xmas, Group ShowSlap, and Tickle Gallery,KC,USA,2009 • Aquello: Simón en su laberinto, Buenos Aires, Argentina 2006 • Untitled: The Zuppe Gallery, KC, USA 2005 • SICK: The Green Door Gallery, KC, USA. 2005 • Untitled: Centro Cultural Paraguayo Japonés, Asunción, PY 2003 • Visiones Nocturnas: Centro Cultural, CITI Bank, Asunción, PY 2003 • Rutina: Paraguayo Japonés Centro Paraguayo, Asunción, PY 2002 • Rutina: Pub la placita, Asunción, PY 2002 • Untitled: Casa Hassler - San Bernardino, PY 2002 • Untitled: Viejo Galpón - San Bernardino,, PY 2002 • Untitled: Club Lago Azul - San Bernardino, PY 2002 • Untitled: Pub Espacio Sajonia, Asunción, PY 2002 • Untitled: Galería Martha Manchini Arte latino, Asunción, PY 2001 • Untitled: Bajo La Línea: Manchini Arte latino Americano Centro, Asunción, PY 2001 • Untitled: Centro Cultural Manzana de la Rivera Centro, Asunción, PY 2001 • Untitled: Museo Nacional de Posadas Argentina 2000 • Untitled: Embajada de Argentina, Asunción, PY 1998 • Untitled: Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Asunción, PY 1999 • Untitled: Club Internacional de Tenis CIT, Asunción, PY 1998

https://kcstudio.org/artist-watch-fernando-achucarro/
https://www.thepitchkc.com/tag/fernando-achucarro/

HALEY MARTIN- Missouri Miss Amazing providing opportunities for girls and women with disabilities across Missouri to build self-esteem. The options available to girls with disabilities should reflect their boundless potential. But because of widely-held myths about their capabilities, girls with disabilities are often held back from taking risks that could enrich their personal development, deprived of opportunities to make friends, and granted less access to resources. As a result, girls with disabilities are more likely to experience low self-esteem than girls without disabilities.

Bill Clause discusses the history and impact of the cultural organization initially known as The Foolkiller, etc., and about a Foolkiller Folk Singalong scheduled for July 20, 1:30 PM, as part of this year's Kansas City Fringe Festival.

The Foolkiller, etc., was founded in 1970, and later renamed CrossCurrents Culture in 1986.  CrossCurrents Culture remains to this day, 54 years later.
The Foolkiller was a membership based nonprofit with the ambitious mission of changing the world by encouraging people to create their own culture. Their motto “We prefer crude vigor to polished banality” highlights their philosophy that everyone, regardless of talent, should not just be audience consumers of culture, but participants in cultural creation.

Located at an ex-chicken plucking factory in a tiny building on 31st street just West of Troost, the Foolkiller presented a mind numbing series of cultural activity. Nearly every Friday and Saturday, amateur performers produced what was called the Folk Opry: open mic walk ons, followed by a one act play, followed by a featured performer.

After nearly every Friday and Saturday night performance, dozens of FK members would retire to an after-hour party at one of the half dozen three story communal houses near the theater. After-hour parties included a jam session in the living room, with guitars, fiddles, banjos, dobros, and plenty of sing along, while debates raged in the kitchen on religion, politics and world affairs. A foursome of card players might be at the dining table.

The Foolkiller made great use of a UMKC student activity known as Communiversity. Much like Free University on other campuses, Communiversity sponsored a semester catalogue that featured non-accredited courses for the community. Over the years, the Foolkiller presented scores of diverse courses, e.g., Philosophy for Human Beings, Playwriting for the Hell Of It, Song Writing, Canoe Trips…scores of diverse classes involving literally hundreds of folks in Greater KC.

Foolkiller Singalong, July 20, 1:30 PM

Bill also discusses the KKFI’s Foolkiller Folk Audience Singalong at Kansas City Oasis, 1717 W 41st St, KCMO, on Saturday, July 20, 1:30pm. Net proceeds will support the Missouri Peace Foundation, a 501(c)(3) associated with Peaceworks Kansas City. This is part of the Kansas City Fringe festival. Tickets are available on the Fringe website.

NOTE: You may need to purchase a Foolkiller Button for $5 in addition to a ticket for the Singalong. (This was communicated verbally by someone who thinks they know. It was NOT documented in the web page for ticket sales when checked.)

There is so much more to the Foolkiller story than can be covered in a 30 minute radio show. But Bill hopes to underscore the importance of culture and community, especially in these fraught times.

Copyright 2024 Bill Clause and Spencer Graves, Creative Commons Attibution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) 4.0 international license.

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes artist James Ramirez and Tj Templeton artist/Gallery Director for The Bunker Center for the Arts.

JAMES RAMIREZ- Trashed Cans, a small works found art show by James Ramirez will make its gallery debut at the Bunker Center for the Arts, at 1014 E 19th, Kansas City, MO, United States, Missouri 64108

Join us for the free opening reception of our July Exhibition: "Trashed Cans" by James Ramirez. The show is entirely made up from discarded aluminum cans that Ramirez found in the streets and will make it’s gallery debut.

In the words of the artist:
"I’ve been creating assemblage art out of found objects for years. Trinkets. Trash. Wood, metal, glass... I started picking up spent bottle caps for no reason and it became an obsession. I’d even seek them out in some pretty dangerous places. Like snowflakes, no two bottle caps are alike. Smashed cans were also everywhere, but I refused to pick them up. I already had my head full of bottle caps. Then one day I saw two smashed cans lying side-by-side looking up at me. And looking down at them I realized they were spent and cast out just like the bottle caps. So I gave in, with no idea what I was going to do with all these brand new beautiful things that I found in the street.

As an artist, I wait patiently for the next project to appear. I don’t force it. Over time I notice things that are supposed to be art, and pick up things that don’t know that they are. I never know what’s going to come together. But sooner or later, without any deep thought on my part, something will. One night, out of the blue I thought, cut the smashed cans into one inch squares and make simple abstract designs out of them. Lightning Bolt. So I started cutting up the cans and playing around. As I did this I was reminded of the mosaic tile walls by Jackie Ferrara that decorate the Grand Central subway station in New York. Among the most incredible (minimal) designs that I have ever seen, and I’m sure my memory of them are coming into play. Some of these cans had just been tossed out, and some were so distressed, paper-thin and faded by the sun who knows how many times they’d been run over or how long they’d been out there. I picked up a smashed Budweiser can, but I couldn’t cut it up. It was too perfect just the way it was. It had a personality to it. Almost a sadness. I decided to try making it the centerpiece, designing around it with the one inch squares, and finally, something had come together.

I started looking through all the cans for more of these special ones that spoke to me, but there were very few. So I went looking for them. This quickly proved to be a waste of time. I can find smashed cans everywhere, but these special ones that become a centerpiece, somehow find me when I’m not even looking. So far, out of the hundreds of cans that I’ve collected these very few have. I left them Untitled, letting the viewer decide what each piece says to them.
And I still have my head full of bottle caps."
The event is free and treats will be provided by @thelittlestbakeshopkc

Tj TEMPLETON is an interdisciplinary artist and Kansas City native. His work has been collected for over 30 years nationwide and been featured in such outlets as The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, ArtMove Magazine, and the Martin Scorsese screening room at the Tribeca Film festival. He is currently the artist-in-residence at the Bunker Center for the Arts, where he maintains his studio and curates the gallery’s inventory of over 20 local, regional, and international artists.
www.templeton-arts.com

Bunker Center for the Arts Wednesday through Sunday 12 - 6 p.m.
1014 E. 19th KCMO
thebunkercenter@gmail.com
816-866-8350

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Guest Producer/host John Todd welcomes artist/author Stephen T. Johnson and Travis Pratt.

STEPHEN T. JOHNSON-Stephen T. Johnson’s creative and whimsical approach to the alphabet is featured in the Art of the Imagination case beginning April 10, 2024. The case features artwork made to illustrate concepts in his three children’s alphabet books (A is for Art: An Abstract Alphabet, Alphabet School, and Alphabet City) and further expand on some of these elements. Johnson’s work invites the viewer to reconsider ordinary objects as extraordinary opportunities for adventure.

“Art of Imagination” up through December 31st. https://toyandminiaturemuseum.org/.../art-of-the.../

Art of the Imagination Summer Camp
Learn about how all the ways you can use your imagination to create and tell stories through this unique camp experience.
Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity for your child! At Art of the Imagination Summer Camp, campers will learn that imagination has no bounds and explore their creativity alongside artists featured in the Museum and Museum staff! This engaging camp provides hands-on activities where campers learn the art of storytelling, make their own toy, and examine how everyday objects can become truly transformational with imagination.
Day 1– The Art of Storytelling
• Campers will explore the art of storytelling through the Museum’s Portraits of Childhood: Black Dolls from the Collection of Deborah Neff.
Day 2–The Art of Imagining
• Artist Stephen T. Johnson will join the camp to encourage campers to consider how ordinary objects can be transformed into creative and whimsical pieces.
Day 3 – The Art of Creating
• Campers will design and make a figure or creature with a unique story with guidance from collector Maria Vasquez Boyd, visual artist Sue Moreno, and writer Miguel M. Morales.
The National Museum of Toys & Miniatures is located at 5235 Oak, KCMO www.toyandminiaturemuseum.org

Stephen T. Johnson’s most recent series of published books by Simon & Schuster - My Big Series… in particular My Big Silver Rocket Ship which is the latest. The other three are reissues in a new format with the new “My Big” titles. http://www.simonandschuster.com/.../My-Big.../9781442421424

stephen@stephentjohnson.com
www.stephentjohnson.com
www.instagram.com/stj_art/

TRAVIS PRATT was raised in the midwest and studied Ceramics at The Kansas City Art Institute. The House and other structures of human habitation have been a consistent theme in his paintings since undergrad. The early houses were often bright, loose and strange, stilted, or in scary weather to evoke different emotional states. All of these were imagined and realized without reference. After moving to New York in 2010 he set his favorite subject aside for a period of intense material and conceptual experimentation. In May of 2011 an F5 tornado leveled a large swath of his hometown, Joplin Missouri. Upon his return to help with the cleanup efforts there, he was confronted by tragedy and by a new perspective of his old muse. He spent three years developing a body of work painted from photographs he took during this time - most depicting family homes affected by the storm. Now his works range from tightly rendered pictures painted from photos of personal experience to abstraction and imagined portraits, but the common armature from which all his interconnected ideas grow is drawing. The practice of mark making in an attempt to describe physical reality or imagined circumstance is tightly woven with his view of the world and essential to translating his particular existence into memory.
Travis opens Mace gallery Saturday, June 29.

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, June 19, 2024, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org
Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes art experts Elisabeth Kirsch and Christopher Leitch.

ELISABETH KIRSCH is an art historian, curator, and writer who has curated over 100 exhibitions of contemporary art, American Indian art and photography, locally and across the country. She writes frequently for national and local arts publications including The Kansas City Star, Flatland KC, and KC Studio Magazine. Elisabeth Kirsch received her Ph.D in Art History, Religious Studies from The University of Missouri – Kansas City.

CHRISTOPHER LEITCH served as Assistant Dean at Kansas City Art Institute. He was a consulting curator with the Center for Creative Studies, University of Missouri-Kansas City, and he was director of Kansas City Museum. Christopher has been a visiting lecturer and instructor at many schools across the United States.
Christopher earned an MA in Visual Arts from Goddard College in Vermont and a BFA from Kansas City Art Institute. He also attended the University of Oklahoma for three years.
Christopher’s art works have been widely exhibited and toured, and his writings have been published in ArtPapers Atlanta, New Art Examiner and Ceramics: Art and Perception. Christopher was lead author of “LGBTQ Welcoming Guidelines for Museums: developing a resource for the museum field” in Museums and Social Issues, and he is a contributing author with Renae Youngs to companion article, “Diversity in Museum Hiring” for Museum Magazine. Christopher has presented papers for the American Alliance of Museums, Alliance of Midwest Museums, the Hall Center for the Humanities, and the Canadian Museums Association. More information at: www.christopherleitchstudio.net

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, June 5, 2024, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes artists Hugo Ximello-Salido, Rodolfo Marrón III, and Sue Moreno.

Hugo Ximello-Salido (B. 1982) is a multidisciplinary, Mexican artist whose work explores cultural identity, personal identity, communication, connection, and more. Born and raised in Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, Mexico, Ximello-Salido’s natural creativity and passion for creating art stems from a family background full of artists. Upon moving to the United States, new inspirations emerged from initial cultural shocks, new communities, and new relationships, which prompted him to develop his own style and techniques. Ximello-Salido’s early work was primarily inspired by the traditions and colors of Mexican folk culture. Through a fusion of folkloric symbols, old-world history, and explorations of language and contemporary social issues, the artist creates a dialogue about identity and culture that abounds with color, texture, and meaning. He continues to find inspiration in the intersection of various communities, especially the Mexican and LGBT communities, and strives to convey distinct yet universal perspectives to the viewer through his work. Ximello-Salido practiced and lived in Kansas City for many years and built strong, ongoing relationships with local artists and institutions. While in Kansas City, his artwork was extensively exhibited in educational settings and at prominent museums (including the Nelson-Atkins and the Kansas City Museum), as well as at many libraries, galleries, art centers, and art fairs. Having recently relocated to Santa Fe, New Mexico, he finds himself inspired by its natural beauty, cultural vibrance, and renowned art scene. Ximello-Salido’s artwork have been exhibited in galleries and at events in Mexico, across the United States (including at Agora Gallery in New York City), and in Europe, and the artist has been featured in several print articles and documentaries. Ximello-Salido's current project features his documentary -MUXE: The Language of Art & Culture -an artist's journey through the perception of Gender Fluidity in Oaxaca, Mexico. World Premier on Friday, June 28th, 2024 at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, MO, 7:00PM CT. Overlapping with the year long Latino/Hispanic Exhibition “A Layered Presence- Una Presencia Estratificada” October 2023-September 2024, where Ximello-Salido's art piece inspired by gender fluidity "The Finesse of Gender Fluidity" will be still on displayed allowing spectators a better understanding of Gender Fluidity, Art & Culture.

Recent showings of Ximello-Salido’s work include:
-MARCH 2024, Mesilla Valley Community of Hope, ​ Public Art-"The Tuning of Gender Fluidity"- Las Cruses, New Mexico-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024, Slocum Galleries, "Corazón Latino", Johnson City, TN-JUNE 28TH 2024, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art~World Premiere-"MUXE: The Language of Art & Culture" KCMO-JUNE 12th- JULY 6th 2024, Prism Arts~Gruet Winery "Gender, Culture & Tradition" Santa Fe, NM

Rodolfo Marrón III is a self-taught Chicanx visual artist from the West Side neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri. His work involves digital archiving, community, storytelling and assemblage. He was one of the recipients of the Charlotte Street Visual Artist Fellow award in 2016, and the Byron C. Cohen award the same year. Rodolfo featured his site-specific installation, Michoacánx, in the traveling exhibition Monarchs: Brown and Native Contemporary Artists in the Path of the Butterfly, curated by Risa Puleo. He was an artist-in-residence at Art Omi, and the Fire Island Artist Residency/FIAR 2017 in NY state, Ox-Bow Fall Residency, 2018 in Saugatuck, Michigan, and Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, 2019 in Madison, Maine.

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, May 29, 2024, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes artists Carlo Ortiz, Kiki Serna, and Cesar Lopez.

CARLOS ORTIZ- Carlos Ortiz-Gallo was born in Lima, Peru in 1993 and migrated with his family to Miami, Fl in
May 2001. Currently based in Kansas City, MO, Ortiz-Gallo works with a diverse array of
mediums to create large hybrid installations. Ortiz-Gallo has participated in several solo and
group shows and has exhibited work at spaces such as the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, 19
Below, La Esquina, Beggar’s Table and the Curiouser in Kansas City. He has also exhibited
work in galleries in Illinois, Florida, and Texas. Ortiz-Gallo obtained his B.F.A in Printmaking and
Art History from the Kansas City Art Institute in 2016, and is currently the Curatorial Fellow at
the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures.

ARTIST STATEMENT
The development of my practice is rooted in instinctive approach and eclectic interests
surrounding family history, cultural intersectionality, everyday interactions, and the human ethos.
Through collage, mixed media, and sculptural objects, I create “printstallations” of
liminal spaces linked to my own migratory journey and socioeconomic experiences.
Everchanging in approach, I draw from a variety of sources, including family photographs and
documents, as well as found imagery in magazines and newspapers that I recycle and
re-contextualize as sources imperative to the language within my work.
As these elements come together, it engages the audience in a didactic and common ground,
sharing personal narratives related to my adaptation and assimilation to a different culture, my
own family’s separation and disintegration and the absence and presence of these individuals in
my life.
UPCOMING EVENTS
1. I will be introducing my work to guests and leading a printmaking demo at Night/Shift at the
Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, May 30th 5-9 PM, Free admission, https://cart.nelson-atkins.org/46624/46745
2. As the Curatorial Fellow at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, I will be working with the museum to curate around 20 artists to a juried exhibition at the museum. The exhibition is titled “Local Artists Go Miniature”, which will feature local Kansas City based artists, a first for the museum. We are looking for miniature submission that are either inspired by everyday objects or things, miniatures that are created from imagination, conceptual miniatures

Aquetzali (Kiki) Serna is a Mexican visual artist living and working in Kansas City, Missouri. She received her Bachelors of Fine Art in sculpture from The Kansas City Art Institute. Most recently, Kiki has exhibited at MDW Fair at Mana Contemporary, Chicago, IL; H&R Artspace, Kansas City, MO; Galeria Venenoise, Mexico City, MX; and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO. Kiki was also a recipient of a two-term residency at Charlotte Street’s Studio Residency program from 2018-2020. In addition, Kiki’s work is included in local private collections, including that of The Kansas City Museum.

Serna’s video, “Ghosts, Memories, and Imaginary Homelands” is currently on view at the Nelson Atkins Museum.

Cesar E. Lopez Mejia (B. Coatepeque, Guatemala; Kansas City - based) He received his Bachelors of Fine Art from the Kansas City Art Institute.
He has exhibited at Gallery Bogart, Kansas City. The Charlotte Street Foundation, Kansas City. MDW Fair at Mana Contemporary, Chicago. The Front, New Orleans. Galleria Venenoise, Mexico City, Mexico, Nelson Atkins Museum, Kansas City, Mo. Meca Art Fair, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Lopez sculpture, “Structural Coupling: Sequence,

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes artists Vania Soto, José Faus, and Chico Sierra.

VANIA SOTO, Kansas City Artist/Muralist/Art Instructor - Vania Soto was born in Juarez, Mexico and began selling paintings at age 13. Vania describes her style as realism with a pop of surrealism.She was named Best Local Artist in 2021 by Pitch Magazine.

“Mis raíces is a tribute to my past, present, and future. The lady in the painting represents me. Her braid serves as a connection to my roots, linking me to my ancestors who played a crucial role in shaping who I am today. My matriarchal lineage traces back to Durango, Mexico, where all my ancestors were born except for my mother. By representing my family five generations back, I honor the women who have made me who I am today.”

JOSE FAUS is a visual artist, performer, writer, independent teacher/mentor with an interest in the role of artists as creative catalysts for community building. He is a founder of the Latino Writers Collective and sits on the boards of The Latino Writers Collective, The Full Frame Initiative, UMKC Board of Governors Alumni Assn, and Charlotte Street Foundation. His chapbook This Town Like That was released by Spartan Press. His book The Life and Times of Jose Calderon was published by West 39 Press.

“I was exposed to dance at an early age as my mother was a practicing dancer and teacher. I have always been intrigued by the idea of movement within the confines of the space. Figures and gestures are composed of a series of forms reminiscent of shells or other organic forms, undulating across the surface seemingly entwined but separated by a thin line. They are in a constant state of motion, about to escape the limits of the surface.”

CHICO SIERRA, Originally from El Paso Texas, visual artist Chico Sierra now resides in the midwest. Having relocated from his familial homeland, Chico attempts to connect the dots of his cultural history and create new stories based around humanism, class structures and social justice. Influenced by his interests in varying social sciences and spiritual iconography he is attempting to create new narratives using symbolism that has been previously clouded by colonialism and more recently appropriated by euro-centric new age spiritualism.

“Mama gave me soul, not that fairy tale soul but SOUL. The kinda SOUL that cracks your DNA wide open, takes out all that conquest all that greed.
My mama’s magic, your mama’s magic not that bedtime story magic live to live kinda magic.
Beans and rice magic, tortilla MAGIC. In my DNA is color magic, light, darkness, nature. I’m free. Free from belief in anything but us. Us, like you and me.

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd, writer/curator/art historian Elisabeth Kirsch, writer/artist/curator Christopher Leitch talk with Melissa Butler, Izzy Vivas & Alan Gray with Zhou Brothers Art Center.

MELISSA BUTLER- We Didn't Invent Painting, We Just Make It Easy! I started teaching painting parties as a part time job in 2013 at Hook Gallery in Westport. Later that same year I got a chance to open my own small location in the Crossroads, and this became known as Happy Trees Painting. We operated in the Crossroads for couple of years before moving in 2016 to Cap Gun Studios in The West Bottoms. Happy Trees is Paint & Sip business model similar to some of the franchises like Pinot's Palette, Painting with a Twist, etc. At Happy Trees we have tried to set ourselves apart by our vast selection of original painting examples. Cap Gun Studios is the quintessential artist loft & is the perfect place to come and get creative. There are not a lot of spaces left like ours and we love sharing it with people. In addition to the Happy Trees art class calendar, we are working with other artists and makers to have pop-up markets, craft nights and live music. I am also a musician in local bands Good Time Charley and Dimension Bill Edwards and have appeared on Under the Radar, Wednesday Midday Medley and River Trade Radio.
Happy Trees was founded in 2014 by local artist and musician Melissa Weinman. Since its inception thousands of paintings have been taught, and over time a tried and true Happy Trees method has developed. Register for a class, bring a beverage, and receive step by step instruction on creating your own masterpiece! Happy Trees is located at 1219 Union Ave, Kansas City, MO 64101
Melissa Weinman | Owner
happytreespainting.com

IZZY VIVAS, Art Director Zhou Art Center & ALAN GRAY, Partner at Zhou Brothers Art Center; A LABOR OF LOVE FOR KANSAS CITY’S 18TH AND VINE JAZZ DISTRICT: GRAND

OPENING OF THE ZHOU B ART CENTER KANSAS CITY
[Kansas City, MO] - The Zhou B Art Center of Kansas City proudly announces the grand
inauguration and renovation of the Attucks School, marking a significant milestone for the Kansas City arts community and the 18th and Vine Jazz District. The Grand Opening Benefit will take place on June 1st 2024 at 6:00 PM. This monumental event not only celebrates the cultural history embedded in the former Crispus Attucks School but also marks the launch of the Zhou B Art Foundation of Kansas City, a non-profit initiative dedicated to fostering the arts with future creatives and residents alike.

The Zhou B Art Foundation of Kansas City’s commitment to nurture creativity and promote inclusivity extends beyond the studio and into the community. Through educational programs, community partnerships, exhibition sponsorship and advocacy efforts, the Zhou B Art Foundation aims to cultivate a vibrant and sustainable arts ecosystem. Proceeds from the Grand Opening Benefit will go directly to subsiding artists’ studios, curating renowned exhibitions and developing engaging workshops and community events.

Though sitting vacant for 20 years, the Attucks school’s renovation is finally complete. In
remembrance for the school’s innovation and impact, the Zhou B Art Center intends to
memorialize its legacy with the first Inaugural Exhibition: A Benediction from the Rubble. The exhibition is curated by renowned actress and collector, CCH Pounder. The exhibition will feature two international artists; Tony Ramos and Harold Smith, and two Kansas City based artists Michael Brantley and Robert Hale whose work captures the emotional intricacies found in the everyday juxtapositions of the human condition.

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, May 8, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes trumpeter/producer Alber (Alberto Racanati) Chris Dalquist, Erin McGrane, & ArtsKC.

Trumpeter and producer Alber (Alberto Racanati) will release his first multimedia show “Born At Sea” on May 23rd, 2024, at the Charlotte Street Foundation’s Stern Theater.
“Born At Sea” is the latest work by Kansas City-based artist Alber, a multimedia production featuring a live original soundtrack, poetry, dance, video projection, and live visuals.
Conceived as an ode to water, “Born At Sea” is an immersive celebration of life on the
coastline. “Born At Sea” is articulated in four movements, each one of them featuring a guest musician: Lauren Auge (voice), Alex Mallett (double bass), Evan Verploegh (percussion), and Austin Glassco (guitar and live electronics) will join Alber and his trumpet.
On the visual side, there will be Alexis Borth (dance), Zach Latas (lights), and Matt Thomas (live visuals). Every movement is introduced by Kansas City poet Vanessa Aricco, and presents different visual representations of the beautiful coastline of Alberto’s hometown in Bisceglie, Italy.
The inspiration for “Born At Sea” comes from Alberto’s personal need to feel close to one of the things he misses the most as an immigrant: life around a large body of water. “People tend to absorb their surroundings and make them a part of their own persona, and the sea is definitely part of my life” says Alberto. With “Born At Sea,” his hope is to take the immersive landscapes of the Southern Italian coastline and translate them into an all-encompassing work of art. Furthermore, Alber is thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with talented artists across multiple disciplines to explore new facets of his ever-expanding vision.
This production won an ArtsKC’s Inspiration Grant in 2023, and it is a part of the ProdoLAB series, curated by Eddie Moore and the Charlotte Street Foundation. Alberto is currently a studio resident at the Charlotte Street Foundation.

Alber (Alberto Racanati) was born and raised in Bari, Southern Italy. He started playing the trumpet at age 11 while cultivating a passion for underground music, which led him to spend his developing years playing bass and drums in rock and metal bands. Following his dream, he first enrolled at the Piccinni Conservatory of Music in his native Bari, then relocated to Gdansk,Poland, to study at the Moniuszko National Music Academy. He moved to the United States in 2014, where he studied at Western Illinois University (Macomb, IL), and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. He started releasing music and performing as Alber in 2018.
After a long gestation period of growth and sound searching, he began playing
live shows in Kansas City, gradually becoming a staple in the local scene.
In 2020, he went to the studio during the first months of isolation and released his self-titled debut album. He followed with “Journey” in 2021, along with relentless live performance activity around the US, as well as in his native Italy. April 2024 brought the release of his third album “Lento,” a further evolution of his musical journey.
In addition to the “Born at Sea” ProdoLAB, Alber will be a featured performer at the annual Charlotte Street Open Studios, as well as 90.1 KKFI’s annual band auction.
Further Kansas City dates include recordBar, Manor Fest, and ArtsKC’s Kansas City Contemporary Music Festival. Alber will also perform at the Italian Institute of Culture in Manhattan, Rockwood Music Hall in NYC, and more dates in Boston and Providence as part of an East Coast tour in June.

Trumpeter and producer Alber released his third studio album, Lento, on April 12th, 2024.

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes artists Israel Garcia, Emily Alvarez, and Miguel Rivera.

A Layered Presence / Una presencia estratificada
Artists and art are multilayered.

Each artist in this exhibition is a nuanced individual, with many layers informing their identity and the stories they tell through their art. Among them are their experiences, passions, and roles in our community. These layers are interwoven with strong personal ties to Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Colombia, Uruguay, and Peru.
Like the artists themselves, their art is also multifaceted—composed of layers of subject matter, materials, and meaning. At the intersection of these layers, there is evidence of lived experiences. Artists also reckon with immigration and LGBTQIA+ issues as well as address family dynamics, ancestral relationships, healing, place, and more. While some of these layers reveal, others purposefully protect and conceal.
The power to authentically tell one’s own story is significant. It can foster connection, promote understanding, preserve history, and signify resilience. For this exhibition, the artists wrote labels to accompany their art and recorded audio interviews. Using the Smartify app, scan a work of art to hear more from each artist.

A Layered Presence on view now through September 2024
Nelson Atkins Museum 4525 Oak KCMO www.nelson-atkins.org

Israel Alejandro Garcia Garcia is a native of Michoacán, Mexico and spent his formative years growing up in Los Angeles, California. In early 1997 he transplanted his art practice to Kansas City to become part of Kansas City’s arts community. Now a longtime resident and artist of the Kansas City area, he is the Creative Director/Curator of Garcia Squared Contemporary in the Crossroads Arts District. Garcia Squared is a contemporary art gallery serving Kansas City’s diverse communities by introducing national/international artists and their works through a curated experience.
http://garciasquared.com

Emily Alvarez is a professional illustrator with years of experience in mural painting, digital art making, design, sculpture, visual storytelling and art education. Her work has been featured in the Nelson Atkins museum and been covered by PBS and NPR among others. Her main sources of inspiration are children's media, horror, comics and the challenge of new artistic experiences.
She is bilingual in English and Spanish, is of Dominican and Cuban descent and has been based in the Kansas City area since 2014.
She graduated from KCAI with a BFA in illustration in 2018. www.emilyalvarez.art

Miguel Rivera, associate professor and chair of printmaking, is a practicing artist who has had many solo and group exhibitions in Romania, Poland, China, Argentina, Mexico, Japan and the United States. Before joining KCAI, he was chair of the art department at the University of Guanajuato in Mexico, where he also served as an associate professor of printmaking and computers in art. He has lectured as a visiting artist in Argentina, Peru, Mexico and the United States, appearing at the Contemporary Arts Festival in Guanajuato, the Southern Graphics Council conference and an alternative printmaking workshop at the second annual Art Students Conference in Queretaro. He earned a B.F.A. degree in printmaking and painting from Southern Oregon University in Ashland and an associate degree in printmaking from the University of Guanajuato. He also received an MFA from West Virginia University in Visual Arts and Applied Media. He has been a visiting artist in the Italy, Mexico, Japan, US, Argentina, China and Peru.
His work is collected by university collections, private collections and museums.

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes filmmaker/artist/gallery owner Hugo Ximello- Salido and artist/author Jenny Hahn.

~WORLD PREMIERE~ ​ Friday, June 28th- 7:00PM CT at ​The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO
Muxe: The Language of Art & Culture Screening and Meet the Director Friday, June 28, 2024, 7–8:45 p.m. $13 public / $10 members
Join us for the screening of the new documentary with an introduction and Q & A with the producer and director, Hugo Ximello Salido. Muxe: The Language of Art & Culture documents his efforts to learn about Muxe culture, appreciate its singular history and contemporary expression, and to help share its beauty with the world. The film illustrates Ximello-Salido’s artistic journey through the perception of gender fluidity in the state of Oaxaca, directly connecting with his artistic approach through 2D & 3D artwork. Presented in commemoration of Ximello-Salido’s Muxe sculptural work on display in the featured exhibition, A Layered Presence, Una presencia estratificada featuring 22 local artists at the Nelson-Atkins and Pride Month.

"Art is the soul of our human existence"
Hugo Ximello-Salido Mexican  Artist

Hugo Ximello-Salido's Production & Direction will include Rolando Jimenez ~ Director  & Editor, Mikel Ramirez Aquino ~ Cinematographer & Editor, Jesus Said Martinez Ramirez ~ Second Camera & Audio , Juan Jones ~ Photographer, Tomas Vicente Contreras ~ Assistant Director. The documentary will include interviews from Dr. Heriberto Ruiz, Phd~ Institute of Sociological Research Autonomous University of Oaxaca, as well Dr. Charlynne Curiel, Phd~ Professor of Sociologica; Anthropology Sociological Research Autonomous University of Oaxaca, Leobardo Pacheco, Archeologist, Uriel Sanchez, Anthropologist  Melissa Bojiseauneau, Attorney in law and first transwoman to legally change gender in the state of Oaxaca; Muxe talents includes, Amitai Verdugo, Felina Valdivieso, Victoria Lopez, Rubi Diaz, Estrella Vasquez, Damián Xaneri, Naomy Mendez,  Elvis Guerra & Franzua Ruiz.   MUXE: The Language of Art & Culture, the documentary tells Ximello-Salido's artistic journey through the perception of gender fluidity in the state of Oaxaca, directly connecting with his artistic approach through 2D & 3D artwork. Ximello-Salido’s Muxe series is currently being display in various galleries in the states of Tennessee, Kansas, Virginia, Missouri, New Mexico among others, moreover, one of his sculptural art pieces is currently included for display at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, MO from October 2023-September 2024.  From the Artist: I first experienced Oaxaca, Mexico as a 15 year old, traveling from my home in Guadalajara during a crucial time in my discovery of my sexuality. The vibrant culture in Oaxaca informed my journey to self-acceptance. Years later I would visit Oaxaca again - as an adult and an artist, now living in the American Southwest - and meet the Muxes. I encountered Felina and Rubi in Juchitan, and although I had little prior knowledge of Muxe and their culture, I was immediately struck by the enigmatic beauty and power that they brought to their daily lives. ​ I remembered my journey to Oaxaca as a young man and was immediately inspired to celebrate and share in this unique and vital community - a fusion of Zapotec culture and colonial influence that created a place where gender fluidity could blossom, where self-expression could create beauty, and where art and life could converge. This meeting was the beginning of a new journey - an effort to learn about Muxe culture, appreciate its singular history and contemporary expression, and to help share its beauty with the world.

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes art experts Elisabeth Kirsch and Christopher Leitch.

ELISABETH KIRSCH is an art historian, curator, and writer who has curated over 100 exhibitions of contemporary art, American Indian art and photography, locally and across the country. She writes frequently for national and local arts publications including The Kansas City Star, Flatland KC, and KC Studio Magazine. Elisabeth Kirsch received her Ph.D in Art History, Religious Studies from The University of Missouri – Kansas City.

CHRISTOPHER LEITCH served as Assistant Dean at Kansas City Art Institute. He was a consulting curator with the Center for Creative Studies, University of Missouri-Kansas City, and he was director of Kansas City Museum. Christopher has been a visiting lecturer and instructor at many schools across the United States.
Christopher earned an MA in Visual Arts from Goddard College in Vermont and a BFA from Kansas City Art Institute. He also attended the University of Oklahoma for three years.
Christopher’s art works have been widely exhibited and toured, and his writings have been published in ArtPapers Atlanta, New Art Examiner and Ceramics: Art and Perception. Christopher was lead author of “LGBTQ Welcoming Guidelines for Museums: developing a resource for the museum field” in Museums and Social Issues, and he is a contributing author with Renae Youngs to companion article, “Diversity in Museum Hiring” for Museum Magazine. Christopher has presented papers for the American Alliance of Museums, Alliance of Midwest Museums, the Hall Center for the Humanities, and the Canadian Museums Association. More information at: www.christopherleitchstudio.net

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, April 10, 2024, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes artist/curator Cesar Lopez, Samantha Haan curator, Mandi Strange collector, playwright/producer/founder of Whim Productions, Kevin King and musician/writer Jonathan Doram.

KEVIN KING & JONATHAN DORAM-Whim Productions is dedicated to creating challenging and evocative queer theater. Our mission is to produce works written by LGBTQ+ writers with narratives that center queer characters. We are committed to sharing the diversity of queer lives with Kansas City audiences and providing a platform for LGBTQ+ theater artists to tell their own stories.

Join us for an evening of seven short plays written by members of Kansas City's LBGTQ+ community!
All plays are presented at each performance. You're in for a treat!

Advance tickets are $20. Walk-up: $23 Select performances will have Pay What You Whim pricing. *PWYW pricing is not available for every performance.
Performance Dates: Fri. Apr 12th 2024, 8:00 pm Sat. Apr 13th 2024, 8:00 pm Sun. Apr 14th 2024, 3:00 pm Mon. Apr 15th 2024, 7:30 pm Fri. Apr 19th 2024, 8:00 pm Sat. Apr 20th 2024, 8:00 pm Sun. Apr 21st 2024, 3:00 pm

Kevin King (he/him) is the founder and Producing Artistic Director of Whim Productions. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Creative Writing. Kevin is a playwright-in-residence at the Midwest Dramatists Center, former playwright-in-residence in the Charlotte Street Foundation Studio Residency program, and a member of the Dramatists Guild.

Kevin has directed many of Whim’s shows to date, including Swimming in the Shallows (2019) and Film Classics Presents: Heaven So Far (2011). He also directs shorts in Alphabet Soup: Stories from Queer Voices. Kevin has also directed for Fishtank Theatre’s production of Every 28 Hours and Kansas City’s Project Playwright competition (2015).
His plays have appeared in the Kansas City Fringe Festival, The Barn Players’ 6x10 Short Play festival (2018), Midwest Dramatists Conference (2018), One-Minute Play Festival (2016), Fishtank Theater’s 12 Plays of Christmas (2014), and others. His short play Debating was a semi-finalist for the 2021 Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival. The Swallows, another of Kevin’s short plays, was selected for the 2019 William Inge Theater Festival New Play Lab. His work ranges from campy to slice-of-life realism, portrayed through a quirky, queer lens. You can check out his work at New Play Exchange.

Kevin’s acting credits include Whim’s Bad Auditions series (2014, 2015, 2016), Snowed Inn (2017), Whim’s production of After Orlando (2016), and Tradewinds Arts’ #ResistanceMatters (2019).
He lives in Kansas City, MO, with Calliope, his cat, who dislikes everyone but him.

Jonathan Doram is a Kansas City musician and writer. He is the Assistant Conductor for the Heartland Men's Chorus and made his conducting debut at the Kauffman Performing Arts Center in June 2023. He won the KC Literary Lens Fall 2023 Poetry contest and one of his choral works will be performed at the 2024 Kansas Music Educator's Association convention. He wrote the Alphabet Soup play "The Rainbow on Trial," which Kevin King directs. "Three people - one gay, one bi, one trans - walk into a courtroom - charged with the moral decay of society."
Kevin King’s,” Welcome to Herbalicious” - "Chaos ensues when a gay couple refuses to sell pot to a right-wing television host."
King will chat about all 7 plays being presented, and about the developmental workshop process involved in getting the plays from submission to stage.

Here’s what’s coming up at Whim Productions;
Seven Polaroids of Men's Bottoms - A Cautionary Tale by John Adams Gideon’s on a mission to recover ...

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes poets/artists Mary Silwance, John Sandbach, Andrew MCIlvaine, and Kevin Demery.

ANDREW McILVAINE is a Mexican-American interdisciplinary artist. Born in San Antonio, Texas, and later moved to Missouri, Mcilvaine creates work about displacement and replacement home, culture, language, and name and how these issues effect both cultural and personal memory, identity, and a sense of self. Mcilvaine earned his BA in studio art from the University of Missouri Kansas City. After receiving his BA, Mcilvaine moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he attained his MFA from Washington University in St. Louis in painting and drawing. Currently, Mcilvaine lives and works in Kansas City and holds an Assistant Professor position in the Foundation Department at KCAI.

Threshold II: Migration Patterns
A Two Person Exhibition by Kevin Demery & Andrew Mcilvaine
Gallery Bogart is pleased to present Threshold II: Migration Patterns. This exhibition is the second iteration of an ongoing series dealing with the intersections of Black and Brown cultural identities within North America. It features the work of two artists based in Kansas City, Missouri, Andrew Mcilvaine (born 1993, San Antonio, TX) and Kevin Demery (born 1992, Modesto, CA). Threshold II is the result of many conversations between Mcilvaine and Demery about the convergence of their respective worlds and, with this presentation, specifically, the ways in which their two cultures have dealt with migration. Migration, forced or otherwise, is investigated in this exhibition through topography in metaphor and material. Place, space, and time are framing devices to reveal the geopolitical currents in their biographical narratives. Prominently featured are themes surrounding their Mexican-American and African-American heritages and how they diverge and intersect. Threshold II embraces the triangulation of history, personal narrative, and sociology. Demery and Mcilvaine hold the position of Assistant Professor at the Kansas City Art Institute in the Foundation Department.
Opening Reception
Saturday, April 6th
4:00pm to 7:00pm
1400 Union Avenue Kansas City, MO 64101
www.gallerybogart.com

KEVIN DEMERY is an interdisciplinary artist from the San Francisco Bay Area. He
holds a BFA from California College of the Arts and an MFA from the School of
the Art Institute of Chicago. Demery received the Municipal Art League Grant
from SAIC and participated in the Artist in Residence programs at Kala Art
Institute in Berkeley, CA, The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts in Omaha,
NE, and Acre Residency in Steuben, WI, and Charlotte Street Foundation in
Kansas City, MO. He has exhibited work both nationally and internationally at
the University of Chicago’s Arts Incubator, H&R Block Space at the Kansas
City Art Institute, and the Art Berlin Fair in Berlin, Germany. He most recently
participated in a group exhibition at SakhileandMe gallery in Frankfurt,
Germany in 2023 and in 2024 received the Charlotte Street Visual Artist Award.
He is currently an Assistant Professor at the Kansas City Art Institute.

MARY SILWANCE- Originally from Egypt, I live in Kansas City where I make my home with three daughters who daily inspire me to evolve. My life trajectory has taken many paths: I have worked as an English teacher, a stay-at-home mom, a farmhand, & a farm to school coordinator. I have worked in environmental education & green infrastructure. Currently I am a writing adjunct & teach adult EAL.   What has been a constant through all those vocations? Writing! I am an award-winning internationally published writer active in Kansas City’s writing s...

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, January 17, 2024, noon – 1pm CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org
Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes artists Teresa Dirks, Sue Moreno, and Laura Nugent.

TERESA DIRKS -Growing up in the rural quasi-south, around seamstresses, quilters, gardeners, and farmers, I learned to love nature, nurture, growing and making. This made me. Creative. So now, when I create art, my aim is to reconstruct those experiences from life as a woman, and from the landscape, and share that connection you the viewer. I strive to recreate a conceptional experience whether it is the complexity of urban decay, the intensity of the sky, or the linear connection to cultivation, nature, and the horizon. The proportions and structure within my works strive to create some sense of balance and harmony while highlighting the beautiful chaos that life throws at us all. The horizon, interplay, color juxtaposition and those relationships are the subject of my art work. Everyone, no matter where they live, has a horizon. And that horizon commands our attention. My work investigates relationships and envisions a world where we are all respected. My work is about harmony. It is about those horizon lines and those intersections or parallels, where good things happen. My art invites the viewer to interpret and find energy in a meaningful way. My hope is to create a joie de vivre to remind us of what life truly is. Over the years, my work has developed texturally and organically by using the visual elements and principles of color, line, texture, movement, and pattern. The resulting variants and contrasts reflect complexities but with a harmony. My art has come to symbolize my inner strength as a woman and my connection with the world around me. www.teresadirks.com

SUE MORENO has worked as an art teacher in Kansas City for 35 years as a teacher and mentor to other teachers, as well as inspiring artwork of of her own. Currently, Moreno’s art is exhibited in A Layered Presence / Una presencia estratificada Artists and art are multilayered. Each artist in this exhibition is a nuanced individual, with many layers informing their identity and the stories they tell through their art. Among them are their experiences, passions, and roles in our community. These layers are interwoven with strong personal ties to Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Colombia, Uruguay, and Peru. Like the artists themselves, their art is also multifaceted—composed of layers of subject matter, materials, and meaning. At the intersection of these layers, there is evidence of lived experiences. Artists also reckon with immigration and LGBTQIA+ issues as well as address family dynamics, ancestral relationships, healing, place, and more. While some of these layers reveal, others purposefully protect and conceal. The power to authentically tell one’s own story is significant. It can foster connection, promote understanding, preserve history, and signify resilience. For this exhibition, the artists wrote labels to accompany their art and recorded audio interviews. Using the Smartify app, scan a work of art to hear more from each artist. www.nelson-atkins.org Nelson Atkins Museum of Art 4525 Oak St.

LAURA NUGENT Originally from Rhode Island, Laura Nugent studied at SACI (Florence, Italy), New School for Social Research (NYC) and earned her BFA in painting from MICA (Baltimore). She has served as president of the Kansas City Artists Coalition, a Charlotte Street Foundation mentor and Artist Inc. facilitator for the Interurban Art House (Overland Park, KS). Laura’s work is in private and corporate collections including The Four Seasons Hotel (Chicago), Black and Veatch, Pinnacle Bank (Nashville) and Hallmark Inc. After living and working in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, Laura now maintains a workspace in Holsum Studios in Kansas City’s historic West Bottoms.

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes art experts Elisabeth Kirsch and Christopher Leitch.

ELISABETH KIRSCH is an art historian, curator, and writer who has curated over 100 exhibitions of contemporary art, American Indian art and photography, locally and across the country. She writes frequently for national and local arts publications including The Kansas City Star, Flatland KC, and KC Studio Magazine. Elisabeth Kirsch received her Ph.D in Art History, Religious Studies from The University of Missouri – Kansas City.

CHRISTOPHER LEITCH served as Assistant Dean at Kansas City Art Institute. He was a consulting curator with the Center for Creative Studies, University of Missouri-Kansas City, and he was director of Kansas City Museum. Christopher has been a visiting lecturer and instructor at many schools across the United States.
Christopher earned an MA in Visual Arts from Goddard College in Vermont and a BFA from Kansas City Art Institute. He also attended the University of Oklahoma for three years.
Christopher’s art works have been widely exhibited and toured, and his writings have been published in ArtPapers Atlanta, New Art Examiner and Ceramics: Art and Perception. Christopher was lead author of “LGBTQ Welcoming Guidelines for Museums: developing a resource for the museum field” in Museums and Social Issues, and he is a contributing author with Renae Youngs to companion article, “Diversity in Museum Hiring” for Museum Magazine. Christopher has presented papers for the American Alliance of Museums, Alliance of Midwest Museums, the Hall Center for the Humanities, and the Canadian Museums Association. More information at: www.christopherleitchstudio.net

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes Caranne Camaren with Vulpes Bastille and musician Julia Othmer & James T Lundie.

ACCLAIMED SINGER-SONGWRITER JULIA OTHMER JOINS FORCES WITH UK PRODUCER JAMES T LUNDIE CREATING A “BRIDGE” TO THEIR NEW PROJECT AS THE FORCEFIELDS

Julia Othmer is evolving into a new artistic reality as Aayama Forcefield alongside renowned UK
producer James T Lundie, aka Max Forcefield. Together they are The Forcefields. They are currently releasing the first single “Slip Away” from their debut EP “BRIDGE.”

Julia was on the search for an extraordinary audio alchemist to produce the follow-up to her critically acclaimed debut album Oasis Motel. She connected with several producers and had ear-opening experiences; however, none were quite what she was imagining. While sitting fireside at a friend’s studio in LA, she was surrounded by a lush tapestry of sound emanating from the speakers. It was as if time stopped and she could step inside the music. She knew she needed to meet the person behind this sonic architecture, so she headed to North London, landed on James’ front steps, and refused to leave. James had been working extensively in film and TV composition, audio branding, and writing for others. He was on a sabbatical from the commercial world to focus on creating more deeply personal music.

Once they began experimenting in the studio, James realized he had found an excellent muse. With her incredible dynamic power and emotionality, and her raw ability and range, she was his ideal collaborator. This began a creative and inspired partnership both in music and in life. Together, they created studio and live recordings, short-form films to accompany their music, a multi-media performance, and multiple social and environmental justice initiatives, all released under Julia’s name.

Inspired to take their collaboration to the next level, they are creating a new cosmo-sonic aesthetic with their next project: THE FORCEFIELDS. Their sound is evolving into what is described as The Beach Boys having a bonfire with Annie Lennox while living in a Portishead world. Their studio recordings feature vintage synthesizers, audio equipment and one-of-a-kind instruments, heard nowhere else in the world, as they are reimagined and rebuilt into unique sonic tools by James.

Their debut EP, BRIDGE, (releasing in spring 2024) is a sonic bridge between their previous work together and this new trajectory. Per Julia, “Bridge represents the sonic bridge between the work we have done under my name, to the world we are now creating together as The Forcefields.” Reinterpreting and distilling the essence of two of Julia’s previous songs, BRIDGE is a rhythmic, multi-layered and richly textured exploration. The first track “Slip Away” is a moody depiction of erosion and letting go on multiple levels. “Frickin Awesome Remix” is a high energy self-empowerment anthem.

Their live performances as the Forcefields are multi-media sound and light experiences, inviting intimacy and spectacle. The Forcefields say, “We are so thrilled to connect with listeners and generate groovy vibes. Together we can raise the collective vibration and have a frickin’ awesome time while doing it. Cosmic.”

Julia Othmer aka Aayama Forcefield
Julia Othmer’s voice is vibrant and emotionally potent. Her piano-driven performances are mesmerizing fusions of raw power, vocal artistry and joy. Passionate and engaging, Othmer creates intimate warmth with her audiences. The child of refugees, Othmer draws from a richly cultured palette of experience to inspire her intensely human yet otherworldly songs. Using music to connect to people and social issues inspires her.

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes one of the original co-host of Artspeak Radio and art writer, Blair Schulman, artist Matt Dehaemers, and Kevin King & Abigail Birkett with Whim Productions.

BLAIR SCHULMAN Midwest Agenda Launches Fundraising Campaign to Boost Social Media Presence and Support Regional Arts Midwest Agenda, the leading community service website dedicated to promoting art and artists in the Midwest, announces the launch of its first-ever fundraising campaign,"Marketing Midwest Agenda." Founder Blair Schulman seeks sponsors to achieve a $6,000 fundraising goal to enhance the platform's social media presence on TikTok and Instagram. Since its inception in 2021, Midwest Agenda has been a valuable resource for regional artists, galleries, and arts organizations. Now, with the Marketing Midwest Agenda campaign, the platform aims to expand its reach, connect with new audiences, and further promote the rich arts and culture of the Midwest.

Key Points of the Campaign:
1. Fundraising Goal: Midwest Agenda seeks to raise $6,000 through its Marketing Midwest Agenda campaign. The funds will boost the platform's social media presence and support regional arts initiatives.
2. Tax-Deductible Support: In collaboration with a non-profit fiscal agent, contributions to Marketing Midwest Agenda are tax-deductible. The platform has partnered with Fractured Atlas, a renowned non-profit arts service organization, to ensure that sponsors can benefit from tax advantages.
3. Enhancing Social Media Presence: The campaign aims to amplify Midwest Agenda's visibility on TikTok and Instagram, creating a more engaging and dynamic platform for regional artists, galleries, and arts organizations.
4. Content Quality and Collaboration: Partnerships are sought to invest in content production and professional collaborations. Sponsors will have the opportunity to receive exclusive updates and access to Midwest Agenda's actively engaged community.
5. Founder's Commitment: Blair Schulman, the founder of Midwest Agenda, dedicates substantial time to curate and promote regional art. Daily efforts include seeking regional art spaces, managing listings, staying informed about crucial regional art stories, and publishing daily Art News stories along with TikTok videos and Instagram reels.
6. Dedication to Supporting the Midwest Arts: Midwest Agenda, created by Blair Schulman, an experienced art writer, remains committed to directly promoting
and supporting local artwork, artists, arts organizations, and galleries in the Midwest.

Schulman expressed enthusiasm about the Marketing Midwest Agenda campaign, stating,"Our goal is to not only elevate the platform's social media presence but also to strengthen our support for the vibrant arts community in the Midwest. We invite sponsors to join us in this exciting journey and become integral to our mission."
Marketing Midwest Agenda is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the charitable purposes of Marketing Midwest Agenda must be made payable to "Fractured Atlas" and are tax-deductible.
Midwest Agenda is a unique community service platform founded in 2021 by Blair Schulman. Focused on promoting and supporting local artwork, artists, galleries, and arts organizations in the Midwest, the platform serves as a hub for connecting the regional arts community.
Blair Schulman 816-533-6417
midwestagenda@gmail.com
Platform website: Midwest Agenda
Instagram: midwestagenda
TikTok: midwestagenda Personal website: Blair Schulman

MATTHEW DEHAEMERS The “Parade of Hearts” (TheParadeofHearts.com) today revealed the first Heart (of 101 total) for 2024 at Union S...

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, February 28, 2024, 9am – 10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes artist/activist/educator Sue Moreno and artist/curator/Director Mattie Rhodes Art Center Jenny Mendez.

SUE MORENO
Spring break Camp at Arts tech for Spring break March 25-Monday-March 28th 10:00- 2:00 snacks and lunch provided

March Kemper Contemporary Museum panel featuring Sue Moreno Stuart Hinds
from the UMKC Gay and Lesbian Archives 6-8 March 20th Wednesday. Talking about Sarah Zapata Art installation

Latino Arts will begin working at Arts Tech every Tuesday on the Gay Pride Float.  All persons included and invited. We are a Fun group. No one excluded. All invited

The National Toy & Doll Museum; Do you like to tell stories? The Mexican folk dolls (1940s-1960s), currently on display at the Museum, represent different regions of the country and tell stories through their clothing and accessories.
Join collector Maria Vasquez Boyd, visual artist Sue Moreno, and writer Miguel M. Morales to design and make your own figure/creature and develop a unique story around this character through words and images.
Wednesday, March 27, 1:00 – 3:30 pm
Registration includes art project supplies, snacks, and FUN!

• Ages 8-13
• Cost: $39 public; 20% off for Jr. Collector Members
The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures 5235 Oak St. Kansas City, MO 64112, www.toyandminiaturemuseum.org

Art in the loop

JENNY MENDEZ- Mattie Rhodes Art Center & Gallery 1701 Jarboe St., KCMO 64108 www.mattierhodes.org
MUJER
March 1 – 23rd , 2024
Opening Reception
First Friday March 1, 6 – 9pm
Mujer: Inspiration, Testimony & Legacy
Mujer examines the role of women through culture, tradition & their individual experiences. Inviting all women artists to contribute works of art that connect to the voice and experience of women.  The exhibition brings together a variety of materials, processes, and stories with different backgrounds. It pairs historical and personal narratives that offer multifaceted perspectives. Inspired by the daily life of women and the importance of cultural and personal roots this exhibit celebrates and champions all who identify as Women and their significance in the world we live in.

PROGRAMMING:
• March 1, Opening Reception –
DJ Munch/DJ Lina, Music set highlighting women musicians prior to opening
Poetry by Marisa Adame Grady, Maria V. Boyd, Gabriella Lemons
Introduction of Artists
Women Vendors
Food Truck in parking lot – woman owned Crystal KC Tamaleon

• March 9 Women’s Symposium 10am – 2pm
Tentative program -
10am Bridgette Chaurand – Self Care Meditation/Movement
11am Women’s Discussion: Put Your Oxygen Mask On
12pm LUNCH and Women’s Fashion show fashion show representing
Intergenerational and Interracial fashion from the Quince to the Gym wear. Women from 5-90 years young featuring Lupita’s clothes and designer Rosalinda Martinez Avilez

1pm Art and Writing Activity – Sue Moreno & Maria Vasquez Boyd
2pm Reflection & Closing
Online registration $10 fee

• March 17 KC Rep Theater Community production
NINA SIMONE  - Four Women
MRC Cultural Center March 17 2pm
They will co-market with our MUJER exhibit and programming
On our opening night of MUJER they will have staff here to give out flyers/posters