Artist George E. Morris explains his work to visitors at Kaw Valley Arts and Humanities Gallery.
Arts & Antiques
Developing the Dotte
More than a “social outing” on a Friday night, Wyandotte County’s small but growing art community organizes its own evening art walk, with a focus on cultural awareness.
BY
Diana Lambdin Meyer
PHOTOGRAPHY
courtesy of Kaw Valley Arts and Humanities Gallery


Photographer Steve Curtis recently showed his work from the Pribilof Islands in Alaska.


Youth from the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kansas City view an exhibit.

Nearly everyone has been to, or at least heard of, the Crossroads Arts District, but not everyone realizes that across the river in Kansas City, Kan., another art community is making a scene.

 “Art and artists reflect a quality of life issue that we want to foster in downtown Kansas City, and it is an important piece of our downtown revitalization plan,” says Cindy Cash, president of the Kansas City Kansas Area Chamber of Commerce.

One of the hot spots is the old Kansas City Kansan newspaper building at 750 Minnesota. Ten studios have opened in the lofts of that building   since August, including fiber and mixed media artists, jewelry makers and photographers. Entrance to the building is via the Kaw Valley Arts and Humanities Gallery at 756 Armstrong, which has two galleries featuring local works. “We’re seeing more and more young people crossing the river from KCMO and a real artists’ community developing,” comments Patrick Alexander, the arts and events coordinator at the YWCA. “It’s a buzz in KCK now.”

A new gallery at the YWCA opened in 2004 after a major capital campaign added 4,000 square feet to the 1950s-era building. In addition to an energetic coffee shop called Corner Coffee Café, the gallery features the work of local and regional craft artisans. In accordance with the Y’s mission to empower women and eliminate racism, the work is that of women and women of color. The gallery is developing a permanent collection from the work of KCK women that will eventually become a traveling exhibit available to all YWCAs in the country.

Highlighting the work of artists of color is also the goal of Pat Jordan and the Town House Gallery that, in 2004, opened one block from Minnesota Avenue, the focus of much of the redevelopment area.

For the 15 or so artisans Pat exhibits at any given time, she works to help them improve the business aspect of their craft, such as marketing and packaging themselves in a more salable manner. As a part of the gallery’s marketing plan, Pat visits government office buildings nearby, extending invitations to employees to stop by the gallery during their lunch hour or stay after work the second Friday of the month for the Follow the Dotte Art Walk, which draws about 1,000 people each evening.

“What we have to do in KCK is establish the connections that will help us create a culture appreciative of art in this community,” Pat says. “That personal connection is what any business and any success is all about.”

Cultural awareness, richness and diversity are common themes among the galleries and artists opening in the community. “KCK is such a breadbasket of cultures with such a diversity of artistic talent that we as a community have a responsibility to introduce that talent to a larger audience,” says Pat Gaunce, a retired public librarian who now sits on the Chamber of Commerce board and the arts committee.

A surprising and relatively unique element of the KCK arts community is the four branches of the city’s public library. With more than 125 pieces in a variety of mediums in its permanent collection, the library is considered a rarity in the  public library community because of its dedication to exhibiting the work of craft and fine artists.

Locked and lighted display cases, extensive wall space reserved for exhibits and regular receptions for visiting artists have created a waiting list of almost two years for artisans from around the world hoping to exhibit in one of the four branches. One branch specializes in environmental issues and therefore seeks the work of artisans who include pieces of nature in their work.

The following are among the 10 destinations in KCK that sport a bright red circle on the front door indicating their participation in the Follow the Dotte Art Walk, held the second Friday of the month, March through September. Although the art walks will not be held again until the second Friday of March 2009, the studios remain open through the holiday season with fresh material and perspectives. “We want to educate people about art, how to buy art and how to help make art a permanent part of an individual’s life, not just a social outing on a Friday night,” Pat says.


Kaw Valley Arts and Humanities Gallery
(WyCo’s Official Arts Agency)
756 Armstrong Ave.
www.kvarts.org

Pressroom Artists’ Studios
750 Armstrong Ave.
pressroomstudios.com

S2 Studios
754 Armstrong Ave.
www.myspace.com/visualbaitshop

Imago Dei
730 Armstrong Ave.
www.imagodeiarts.org

Town House Gallery
1021 N. 7th St.
www.townhousegallerykck.com

KCK Public Library
625 Minnesota

YWCA 6th Street Gallery
1017 N. 6th St.
www.ywca.org/kansascity

Hangers on the Hill
613 N. 6th St.
www.hangersonthehill.com

Tomasic & Rehorn
419 N. 6th St.
www.tomasicrehorn.com

5th Street East Townhomes
801 E. 5th St.
www.cityvisionkck.org