Field Notes: OVAC Trip to Kansas City

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Oneweekend in Kansas City is just not enough. In three days, Julia and I got thewhirlwind tour of the arts community there - meeting artists, visiting spaces,and engaging in thoughtful conversations.

The Kansas City Flatfile exhibition at H&R Block Artspace. The work on this wall was selected by Kelsey Karper.

 Ourfirst stop was the H&R Block Artspace atthe Kansas City Art Institute. Director and Chief Curator Raechell Smith invitedus to each curate one wall of their annual Flatfile Exhibition. This was a greatintroduction to artists working in Kansas City, as there are around 200 artistsrepresented in the flatfiles. It was exciting to see fresh work up close, thento later get to meet some of the artists during the weekend’s events.

The studio of Garry Noland, Studios, Inc

Wewere also thrilled to be invited to visit two artist’s studios at Studios Inc, a 51,000 square foot building in the Crossroads Arts District, whichhas been converted to studio space. The studios are offered free of charge tomid-career artists. It also offers a wood shop, exhibition space, professionaldevelopment, and networking.

Julia Kirt and Garry Noland in his studio at Studios, Inc.

Ourfirst studio visit was with Garry Noland. His large tapestry-likeworks are constructed primarily of multi-colored duct tape, though you probablywouldn’t realize it at first glance. The works are intricate and detailed, andother materials invariably make their way in – like texture from the studiofloor or bits of National Geographic magazines.

The studio of Dylan Mortimer, Studios, Inc.

Wealso visited the studio of Dylan Mortimer, whose clever works maygo unnoticed if you aren’t paying attention. His “Road Signs” series combinesofficial-looking street signs installed in public places with commentary aboutreligion in the public realm. Though, his more recent works are little moredifficult to miss, as they have become Las Vegas-style marquees, complete withglitter and lights.

"Float" by Jarrett Mellenbruch, a public art installation for Avenue of the Arts. Background: Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Hereare some of the other destinations we visited in Kansas City:Nerman Museum of Contemporary ArtParagraph+ Project Space (Charlotte StreetFoundation)Dolphin GalleryBill Brady GalleryBelger Arts Center + Red Star StudiosNelson-Atkins Museum of ArtKemper Museum of Contemporary ArtPlug ProjectsAvenueof the ArtsKauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Watch for more about our trip in an upcoming post from Julia.