Patron’s Infatuation with KC’s Crossroads Arts District

 KANSAS CITY, Mo. – June 6, 2013 – An art exhibition, titled, “Collecting in the Crossroads: Works from the Haenisch Collection,” features over fifty works from Todd Haenisch’s private collection. The mix of work reads like a cross-section of the arts district’s early renaissance.

The show includes a wide mix of paintings, drawings, ceramics and mixed media works from artists who live, work or have exhibited in Kansas City.  The show includes art by Lori Ray Erickson, David Ford, Archie Scott Gobber, Jim Leedy, Mott-ly, Wilbur Niewald, Jesse Small, Stretch, Davin Watne, Susan White, James Woodfill, and others.

“Collecting art in Kansas City changed my life,” Haenisch stated.  “When I started collecting in the mid 1990’s there were only a few galleries… and a few dozen artists in the Crossroads.  It has been exciting to watch the progress over the years.”   Today the vibrant and renovated arts district is home to more than 60 galleries and art spaces, hundreds artists and independent studios.  On the First Friday of each month, thousands of visitors flock to the neighborhood to hop from gallery to gallery, enjoy live music, and dine at stylish restaurants.

Despite the Crossroads Arts District’s rapid growth and success, there is a broad gap between the number of working artists and the number of art collectors in town.  That is why Todd Haenisch is passionate about bridging that gap by educating others on the thrill of collecting and its positive impact on artists and on our community.

The exhibition opens on June 7, 2013 and will run through July 26, 2013.  There is an opening reception event on First Friday, June 7th from 4:00-6:00pm (free and open to the public).  The gallery’s regular open hours are 8:00am to 8:00pm, Monday through Friday.

The Box Gallery is an 830-sq.-ft space that presents rotating exhibitions, often by partnering with local artists, collectors, universities, and cultural arts organizations.  Its mission is to serve a downtown audience of residents, workers, and visitors, with exhibitions that will enliven, enlighten and engage.  www.theboxgallery.org

For more information, please contact The Box Gallery director Robin Trafton by calling 816-760-7885, or email TheBoxGallery@towerproperties.com

What The Rock Record Tells Us

Members of the Volunteer Judging Committee had their work cut out for them in selecting which of 89 employee-artist entries would be featured in a showing at The Box Gallery in the Commerce Pavilion, running now through Feb. 21. The judges’ work became even harder when choosing which of the entries – ranging from water colors to photographs, stained glass to dyed eggs – would be awarded prizes.

CB Employee Art Show

Members of the Volunteer Judging Committee had their work cut out for them in selecting which of 89 employee-artist entries would be featured in a showing at The Box Gallery in the Commerce Pavilion, running now through Feb. 21. The judges’ work became even harder when choosing which of the entries – ranging from water colors to photographs, stained glass to dyed eggs – would be awarded prizes.

Graham Porter

At the age of 95, Graham Porter has been a photographer for over 35 years. Throughout his career he has experimented with photographic techniques to enhance the emotional quality of his work. This exhibition illustrates three important series made during Graham’s career, with a focus on his most recent body of work, Fragmentia.

Royal Magnificence

The American Royal has been a proud Kansas City tradition since 1899. Each fall it hosts the world’s largest barbecue contest, livestock exhibitions, professional rodeos, prestigious horse shows and parade. For over a hundred years The American Royal’s events have not only celebrated and energized our region’s rich agricultural heritage but also helped shape Kansas City.

America’s Creative Crossroads

The Kansas City region has a legacy of artistic and entrepreneurial innovation spanning more than 125 years. Today, the KC metro has one of America’s most inventive and creative cultures. A new collaborative campaign, titled America’s Creative Crossroads, highlights the Kansas City area as an intersection of artistry and technology. It is designed to elevate the KC region in the minds of potential residents, visitors, talented professionals and businesses.

Tom Corbin

Sculptor Tom Corbin may be best known for his elegant elongated figures and bronze furniture, but as his career builds momentum the artist has incorporated new themes into his work. In his exhibition Tom Corbin/New Work at The Box Gallery, the viewer is invited to explore Corbin’s creativity through his sculpture, furniture and rarely exhibited paintings.

The Kansas City Collection

The Box Gallery presents an exhibition titled, “The Kansas City Collection – Our Town As Seen by Local Artists.” The exhibition features seven artists, including Wilbur Niewald, Richard Matheson, Anne Garney, Mark Mohr, Dana Forrester, Bob Holloway and Ernst Ulmer. On loan from a local corporate collection, the show will consist of representational paintings depicting scenes and icons of Kansas City.

Form Follows Function

Theatrical Designers are charged with the responsibility of transforming dramatic literature into three-dimensional existence. Through scenic design, costume design, and lighting design the tone and aesthetic atmosphere is invented, so the actors can bring the content to life. The UMKC Theatre graduate students come out from behind the scenes, to showcase their talent in an exhibition, titled Form Follows Function.

You Are Here

YOU ARE HERE, named after the symbol on way-finding maps, visually transports the viewer back to the period between 1900 and 1930. The site of The Box Gallery on 10th Street between Main and Walnut was once the bustling center of the City. Yet most of the turn-of-the-century buildings and the businesses they housed are gone. Using super-sized photographs, advertisements, postcards and memorabilia, guest curator, Bruce Bettinger recreates the vitality of downtown K.C. circa 1910.

Photography by David Douglas Duncan

David Douglas Duncan is considered among the most influential photographers of the 20^th century.  Best known for his war photographs from World War II, the Vietnam War and the Koran War, he also traveled the world as a photojournalist for Life magazine.  This exhibition features images from his peace-time travels, and intimate photographs of his good friend, Pablo Picasso.

Ships in Scale, selections from the Kansas City Square Riggers Club

This special exhibit features hand-made ship models built by members of the Kansas City Square Riggers Club.  The Club was founded in 1996 by Paul Gagne for the purpose of promoting ship modeling.  The club members are devotees of ship and maritime history, diligently constructing historically accurate works that recall the notable impact of these nautical legends.  The model ships on display are recreations of historical American and European ships from the early 1700’s through the 1960’s.

KC Arts Links

1. Sign-up for the arts newsletter with the Arts Council of Kansas City
2. Plan your art outings with VisitKC
3. Read the KC STAR for art reviews and First Friday listings
4. Take a painting or sculpture class at The Kansas City Art Institute
5. Visit a free museum: the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
6. Learn about cutting edge contemporary art with the Charlotte Street Foundation
7. View local and national contemporary artists at the Dolphin Gallery
8. Want to learn more about the local art scene? Join Hello Art’s membership program
9. Attend a show at the beautiful Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
10. Read Kansas City’s online magazines Review (visual arts) and Metropolis (performing arts)