You're invited!

...to First Friday's "Firster Thursday" hosted by Chipotle Mexican Grill at the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center from 6pm-8pm on Aug 6th! — with Emmett Merrill at Leedy-Voulkos Art Center.

You and a guest are invited to a reception at the Leedy-Voulkos Arts Center on Thursday, September 6 (tonight!) from 6 to 8 pm at 2012 Baltimore, Kansas City, Missouri 64108.

You'll enjoy the opening celebration of Emmett Merrill's exhibition entitled "Drought Cultivation" celebrating the rural heartland with carnitas tostadas and Patron Margaritas provided by Chipotle.

Big weekend for the city

Yes sir, there are a great deal of things going on in Kansas City this weekend.

First up is one of the year's best First Friday in the Crossroads because it's not blistering hot or freezing cold right now. That should be a terrific turnout.

Second is the Brookside Art Fair.

Next up is Cinco de Mayo so every Mexican restaurant in the area will also be packing them in.

Finally--it's a short list, if even a full weekend--"The Avengers" movie opens. I expect it will be packed, for those interested.

So, whatever you're doing this weekend, y'all, have a great time. Let's be careful out there.

Leedy-Voulkos Gallery named one of top 25, nationwide

Our own Leedy-Voulkos Art Center was named one of the best 25 galleries in the nation by American Art Awards. Not only that, but they are, with this ranking, also the best in Missouri, by their estimation: “Not only have they been in the business 27 years, their focus is developing artists, which is not really what DTR does. We like to expose our artists to an assortment of galleries with different priorities. And just look at Leedy’s hanging art, sculpture and gallery space. I mean, it rivals any gallery in New York or London.” So, next time the first of the month comes up, maybe you should get down to that First Fridays in the Crossroads and check it out. Links: http://www.highlighthollywood.com/2012/03/05/american-art-awards-names-best-galleries-in-colorado-massachusetts-missouri-nevada-and-wyoming-highlight-hollywood-world-exclusive/; http://www.leedy-voulkos.com/

It's Friday

Have a great weekend, y'all.

First Friday last evening

 

In case you missed First Friday last evening in the Crossroads District. This guy was a lot of fun. (Nothing you maybe haven't seen before but still, live, it was fun).

Predictably, a great deal of people showed and it was great fun.

Get over to the Nelson for the new Egyptian Gallery, too, if you can, this weekend. Great stuff.

In it, you can learn about:

--the origin of prayer and prayers (eat! eat!)

--the original source for the phrase "the evil eye"

and a whole lot more.

Have a great weekend, y'all.

Big and busy weekend for KC

Yeah, if you can't have fun and/or learn something this weekend in Kansas City, you have serious problems.

Tonight, it's "First Friday" , of course, in the Crossroads District, downtown.

This should really be a "rip snorter", for lots of reasons, mainly having to do with the fact that it's supposed to turn sunny this afternoon and, while cool, it's perfect for going around down there. It will be great for seeing all the art, artists and performances, before it gets Summer hot and humid.

You won't want to miss that, likely.

Be forewarned, though--hundreds or thousands of us are going to be going down there so parking will be looney. Here's a thought--either take "The Max" bus from further in the city, down Main Street and zip in easily or park outside the area a bit and walk in. That's the only thing that will make sense.

Secondly, the new Egyptian Gallery at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art opens tonight.

Yowza.

I've been waiting for this all winter. It should be a stunner. (Again, big crowds. If you don't like them, wait a week and it will improve). Also, this is a ticketed event, understandably, so don't think you're getting in free. Just sayin'.

And then Sunday is Mother's Day--but you knew that, right?

If you're taking Mom out for dinner, you'd better already have your reservation or some secret plan to get yourself out of your jam.

That's only three things but those right there, along with everything else we have to do--right?--will fill up the weekend quickly and nicely.

Have a great weekend, y'all.

Terrific, even important, art exhibits in town right now

 

It turns out, this is really quite an art weekend for Kansas City.

Last evening was "1st Friday" in the Crossroads area, of course and while that's behind us, two exhibits are available right now, very different from one another, that are "can't miss" exhibits.

The Kemper Gallery of Contemporary Art has an exhibit of pieces by Wyeth family members--N.C., Andrew, James and Henriette--that is a knockout. Thanks to the Kemper family, of course, for both the gallery itself and now for several of these artworks, you can enjoy quite a range of talent and style.

Then, at Union Station, you can see a terrific display of Andy Warhol originals.

They're being shown as part of a Bank of America sponsorship and tour of the country. It's inexpensive, at only $12.00 per person and it doesn't take 2 or 3 hours to see.

I would recommend you go down at 2 or 3 in the afternoon, though. When we arrived, at about 1:30 pm, we had to pay $5.00 to park. My immediate, knee-jerk reaction was to dislike it. But then I got to thinking about supporting Union Station and this type touring exhibit and I thought it made sense and was fair. However, when we came back to the car an hour later, the barricades and money-takers were gone. It made no sense. We were back to feeling taken advantage of again. Oh, well.

One last note, I've put some pictures up from Union Station and our tour at my photography blog: www.kcphotogblog.blogspot.com.

Have a great weekend, y'all.