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Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, August 5, 2026, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd talks with educator Whitney Boyd and Luna, singer/songwriter Heath Church. Fact: Missouri ranks near the bottom nationwide for teacher pay, consistently appearing in the 49th or 50th position. American teachers are increasingly stepping away from their jobs because of the educational systems and structures that prevent them from engaging in good teaching, which involves professional judgment, attunement to students’ multidimensional needs, and a connection to one’s purpose and values. The barriers to good teaching include overwork and underpay, in a profession that is increasingly undervalued—but that is not the whole story. The results of a massive survey, America’s Teachers on Teaching in an Era of Change, indicate a strong correlation between teachers’ job satisfaction and feeling that their voices are heard. Ninety-eight percent of the 20,000 respondents believe that teaching is more than a profession; it is how they make a difference in the world. The survey also suggested that new teachers, in particular, have comparatively higher needs for both content and social support. A frequently cited challenge for teachers was finding time to collaborate with colleagues, and rural and small-town teachers feel significantly more isolated and in need of support, connection, and collaboration. While self-care strategies such as mindfulness, gratitude, and self-compassion have been shown to support individual well-being, they are insufficient to support teachers who believe that their institutions are not in alignment with their values. These educators need the support and connection of an authentic learning community to give meaning, purpose, and direction to their work. Such communities are of particular importance for reengaging those suffering from demoralization, helping them regain their self-efficacy, which can lead to increased job satisfaction and commitment to students and the profession. There is power and hope when we work together. (What Teachers Really Need to Thrive, Greater Good Magazine, July 15, 2024, Margaret Golden, Ed.D, www.greatergood.berkeley.edu) Margaret Golden, Ed.D., is the director of learning communities at the Greater Good Science Center. She is the coauthor of Teach Our Children Well: Essential Strategies for the Urban Classroom and editor of Teaching and Learning from the Inside Out: Revitalizing Ourselves and Our Institutions. Teacher funding comes from crowdfunding platforms, non-profit organizations, and state or federal grants. On average, U.S. educators spend roughly $895 annually out of pocket for classroom supplies, making external grants and community donation programs vital resources to offset these costs. Crowdfunding and Donation Platforms • DonorsChoose: Use the DonorsChoose platform to post specific project requests and connect with individual donors. • AdoptAClassroom.org: Register on AdoptAClassroom to secure flexible funds, corporate sponsorships, and supply packages for your room. • Community options: Most users on Reddit agree that sharing Amazon wishlists on social media, checking local Buy Nothing groups, and utilizing PTA resources are effective supplementary tactics. Local and Regional Grants • State catalogs: Search localized opportunities like The Grant Portal to find active funding listings specific to Missouri educators. • Union support: Check the Missouri NEA for regional tuition assistance, humanitarian aid, and small project grants. Professional and Federal Programs • Fellowships: Apply for self-designed professional development funding through Fund for Teachers when applications open. • Government grants: Look into federal opportunities such as the Teacher and School Leader Incentive Program via the U.S. Department of Education. HEATH CHURCH is a singer-songwriter from the Midwest whose music is best described as dreamy indie-folk. His inspirations range from folk music legends including Johnny Cash, Blaze Foley, and John Prine to more recent indie artists such as Elliott Smith, Odie Leigh, Eels, and The Japanese House. Warm acoustic guitar tracks with layered vocals and undeniably catchy lyrics are all part of Heath Church’s signature sound which has been described as “Midwestern Heartbreak”. Since he first began his journey with songwriting over a decade ago, he has released multiple EPs & singles and has played over a hundred shows. Heath Church now shares his life experiences on stages across the country. When I play a song for you, I want to create an experience that sticks with you. I want to take you to a place in your mind where you feel accepted and understood in a unique way that you haven’t before. That’s what music does. It understands us. I think everyone needs a chance to feel understood. -Heath Church https://www.facebook.com/share/1BYd2k8NmE/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/5THqQuSbp7IuOk5zQbnDeW...

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes Kasim Hardaway. KASIM HARDAWAY is a filmmaker and storyteller based in Kansas City, Missouri, whose work explores identity, mental health, and transformation. Before entering film, he built a decade-long career as a nationally recognized food influencer and brand strategist, partnering with companies like ALDI, Target, and Impossible Foods. His storytelling was known for its visual depth and emotional honesty, qualities that now define his filmmaking voice. After years spent curating perfection online, Kasim found himself unraveling behind the scenes. What had once been creativity turned into performance, and the constant pursuit of relevance gave way to burnout and fatigue. Rather than turn away from that collapse, he chose to document it and transform his breakdown into art. That decision became The UNBecoming, a cinematic exploration of what it means to lose and rediscover oneself. Though new to filmmaking, Kasim approached the medium with a strong sense of story and emotional awareness shaped by his background in digital storytelling. The UNBecoming blurs the line between film and performance art, using movement and metaphor to capture the process of release, reflection, and renewal. Through his work, Kasim aims to create space for empathy and collective healing, inviting audiences to not only witness transformation but to feel it. In the process of unbecoming, I’ve realized just how many layers of myself have sought validation, affirmation, & acceptance. Versions of me that longed to be forgiven, that held a heart full of anger, that wanted to be seen, chosen, or simply told I was enough. Whewww. None of those versions served me to my benefit, but that didn’t make them exist any less. They lived inside me. Quiet & heavy. Unresolved. A core part of this project is healing: tending to the deep wounds I’ve carried since childhood, & even the more superficial nicks from recent years. “Take What You Need” was born from that. An extension of The UNBecoming, it’s a community-oriented installation that acts as a small offering meant to ease pain, soften longing aches, or at least lead the versions of myself (& others) a little closer to reconciliation. When I first began imagining what the installation would look like, I didn’t want it to feel like a static wall. I wanted it to breathe, to invite you in. I strung each envelope with fishing wire so it would seem suspended in air. As if the letters were gently hovering, waiting to be chosen. To me, that sense of lightness mattered: the words & messages themselves might be heavy, but the act of reaching for them could feel weightless. Each envelope carries a phrase on the outside. Something you might need to hear. Inside is a letter written to the one who felt that particular ache. As a small, playful detail, I added stamps. Sometimes the words might call out to you; other times it might be the color or design of a stamp that caught your eye. It leans into the fact that healing doesn’t always come through logic. Sometimes it comes through instinct, through something you can’t quite explain. After the debut of the installation, a friend told me his wife had chosen one of the envelopes to give to him. He was shocked by the sheer number of letters. 33 in total (& I’m currently writing more). He asked, “How did you come up with all of these? Are these all feelings you’ve felt within yourself?” My answer was yes. And also: not entirely. Each letter represents a piece of my own story, but not every ache cut me deeply. Some were wounds I wrestled with for years, others were fleeting pains that appeared in certain relationships or contexts. Still, as I revisit the letters now, I find them more & more (& moreee) relatable. Each one speaks to a scar I carry. Trauma that may not have defined me, but that nonetheless left its mark. The wall is not just mine. It’s a mirror. A place for anyone to pause, soften, & perhaps hear the words they’ve been waiting for. At its core, it’s also a reminder of our interconnectedness as human beings. We live in such divisive times, & it’s important to remember how much we truly share. Especially the pains & traumas we carry. No matter your gender, ethnicity, or background. It’s my hope to create more experiences like this. Ones that move, inspire, & heal. While I’ve loved the journey of creating the micro-film series, I’ve also found that in-person events & activations add another, tangible layer of expression. The people I’ve met & the conversations I’ve had through this project have been moving, humbling, & affirming to say the least. I’ll plan to share future pop-ups through the Chat feature here on Substack, but I also encourage you to follow the new accounts I’ve created for the installation on Instagram. I’ll be sharing letters digitally there as well, so even if you can’t make it to a pop-up in person, the words can still find you. And if you want to explore the project on a more intimate level, consider becoming a paid subscriber & diving into The UNBecoming Reset: a six week guide to your own unraveling & return. kasimhardaway.com

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd artists Kēvin Callahan, Marti Dodge, and InterUrban ArtHouse Executive Director Wolfe Brack join us on air. KĒVIN CALLAHAN & MARTI DODGE-Schoolhouse Art Gallery & Nature Center Presents Prairie Echos, a Sculptural Tribute to the Natural World New exhibition by Kansas City artists Kēvin Callahan and Marti Dodge opens Friday, July 31, in Brownville, Nebraska Prairie Echos is a new exhibition featuring the work of Kansas City artists Kēvin Callahan of the Elegant Line Studio and Marti Dodge of 3Herons Art, on Friday, July 31, 2026. The show will remain on view throughout August 2026. Prairie Echos honors and reimagines the artists' shared love for the natural world. Drawing from the prairie landscape that surrounds them, Callahan and Dodge transform what they have observed in nature — from fallen trees to birds on the wing — into work that brings those moments to life. The exhibition is primarily sculptural, with pieces that arise from the land itself before being presented to the viewer. Both Callahan and Dodge are lifelong multidisciplinary artists who work across a range of media, including paint, wood, and metal. Their distinct yet complementary visions give the show its name: an exhibition that lets the prairie speak, and echoes it back through art. Opening Night The public is invited to the opening reception on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 6 PM. The evening will feature artist talks, a Q&A session, and an opportunity for guests to mingle with Callahan and Dodge and hear directly about the inspiration behind their work. About the Artists Kēvin Callahan creates work under the name the Elegant Line Studio. A multidisciplinary artist, Callahan draws on natural forms and the landscapes of the prairie to shape sculptural and mixed-media pieces. Marti Dodge works under the name 3Herons Art. Also a lifelong multidisciplinary artist, Dodge explores the natural world through paint, wood, metal, and sculpture, reflecting a deep connection to the environment. Visitor Information Prairie Echos opens at the Schoolhouse Art Gallery & Nature Center, Brownville, Nebraska with a reception: Friday, July 31, 2026 and will be on view through August 2026. More information: brownvillefinearts.com/schoolhouse-art-gallery For interviews, images, or additional information, please contact Kēvin Callahan at [email protected] or Marti Dodge at [email protected]. WOLFE BRACK InterUrban ArtHouse Executive Director InterUrban Arthouse is a 501c3 community arts organization in Downtown Overland Park offering gallery space, affordable studio space, and arts events to the public.  InterUrban Arthouse is located at 8001 Newton St, Overland Park, KS 66204, open Monday, Thursday, and Friday 10am-6pm and Saturday 12-4. Exhibition receptions are every 3rd Friday, 5-8pm, and open to the public. Learn more at interurbanarthouse.org or interurbanarthouse on FB and Instagram Current Exhibition, up through July 30th: Let Me Introduce Myself - Work from the Gift of Troost Black Artist Collective and KC area Black artists. Upcoming events: Thursday, July 23rd, 6:30-7:30 pm: Curators Connect at Englewood Art Center 10901 E Winner Rd in Independence, MO. Artists and curators are invited in to talk with staff and learn about their programs, classes, studio space, and how artists can get involved. Saturday, Aug 15th, 12-4pm: Artist headshots with photographer Jason Piggie. Happens the 3rd Saturday of every month. Friday, Aug 21st, 5-8pm at IUAH - Opening reception for This Is Permanent, featuring work by tattoo artists and artists making tattoo adjacent work. Thursday, Sept 3rd, 6:30-8pm - Joy Zimmerman Trio in concert at IUAH. Info at joyzimmermanmusic.com Friday, Sept 18th, 5-8pm at IUAH - This Is Permanent Closing reception Friday, October 16th, 5-9pm - 12 x 12 Member show and annual  Arts on Fire community event. Hundreds of small works from member artists and community members (everyone can participate!), and multiple performances, snacks, and surprises throughout the night. Workshops with Johnson County Library Stitching Tradition: A Kawandi Tote Bag Workshop Series Thursdays, Sept. 10, 17, 24 • 10 a.m.-Noon @ Corinth Library Tuesdays, Sept. 29, Oct. 6, 13 • 10 a.m.-Noon @ Oak Park Library Explore the rich tradition of Kawandi quilting in this three part workshop series led by Sherry Whetstone of InterUrban ArtHouse. Kawandi is a hand-stitched quilting practice developed by the Siddi people, an Afro-Indigenous community in India. ArtWorks: Marketing & Promoting Your Work Saturday, Sept. 26 • 10-11:30 a.m. @ Central Resource Library ArtWorks: Grants/Funding Your Work Wednesday, Nov. 18 • 6-7:30 p.m. @ Central Resource Library

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes Babara Reres, Chair Greater Kansas City Area Committee National Museum of Women in the Arts. BARBARA RERES, Chair Greater Kansas City Area Committee National Museum of Women in the ARTS THE MISSION OF the National Museum of Women in the ARTS With its collections, exhibitions, programs, and online content, the museum seeks to inspire dynamic exchanges about art and ideas. NMWA advocates for better representation of women artists and serves as a vital center for thought leadership, community engagement, and social change. NMWA addresses the gender imbalance in the presentation of art by bringing to light important women artists of the past while promoting great women artists working today.To fulfill this mission, NMWA: • Displays and preserves a collection of more than 5,000 objects • Presents ten world-class exhibitions featuring women artists each year • Runs an acclaimed public programs initiative highlighting the power of women and the arts as catalysts for change • Offers education curricula and programs for learners of all ages • Maintains a 17,500-volume library and research center • Serves as a leading resource for facts about gender disparity in the arts • Highlights women artists on its website, blog, and social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram • Publishes art history books and a triannual magazine • Sponsors twenty national and international outreach committees, whose members serve as NMWA ambassadors and advocate for artists in their regions. Visit www.nmwa.org HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WOMEN IN THE ARTS Founded in 1987, NMWA is the only major museum in the world solely dedicated to recognizing women’s creative contributions. The idea for the National Museum of Women in the Arts grew from a simple, obvious, but rarely asked question: Where are all the women artists? NMWA’s founders, Wilhelmina Cole Holladay and Wallace F. Holladay, began collecting art in the 1960s, just as scholars and art historians were beginning to discuss the underrepresentation of women and various racial and ethnic groups in museum collections and major art exhibitions. Among the first to apply this revisionist approach to collecting, the Holladays committed themselves for over 20 years to assembling art by women. By 1980, Wilhelmina Cole Holladay began to devote her energies and resources to creating a museum that would showcase women artists, and the Holladay Collection became the core of the institution’s permanent collection. The National Museum of Women in the Arts was incorporated in November 1981 as a private, non-profit museum. During its first five years, NMWA operated from temporary offices with docent-led tours of the collection at the Holladay residence. Special exhibitions also were presented. In 1983, the museum purchased a 78,810 square-foot Washington landmark near the White House, formerly a Masonic Temple, and refurbished it in accordance with the highest design, museum, and security standards. It won numerous architectural awards. In the spring of 1987, NMWA opened the doors of its permanent location with the inaugural exhibition, American Women Artists, 1830-1930, a definitive survey curated by one of the country’s foremost feminist art historians, Dr. Eleanor Tufts. See more about the National Museum of Women in the Arts at: nmwa.org The Greater Kansas City Area Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) is one of the museum’s nearly 30 national and international committees.The National Museum of Women in the Arts is the first museum in the world solely dedicated to championing women through the arts. The local group formed in Kansas City, MO in 2002 under the leadership of Jeannette Nichols with the goals of raising awareness of the National Museum’s unique purpose and of bringing attention to noteworthy women artists in our own community. Since its formation, the Committee has grown its membership, due in large part to the efforts of Darlene McCluskey, Jean Rau, Jan Leonard and Beth Viehland who have arranged more than 100 “monthly outings” to artists’ studios, special exhibitions at local museums, and private home collections. Committees have worked diligently to sponsor a juried art show (2006), to organize a major gift to the National Museum of Hung Liu’s “Seven Poses” (2007), and to participate in the Women to Watch exhibitions which have become our signature events for 2010, 2012, and 2015. www.kc-nmwa.org Greater Kansas City Area Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts PO Box 480132 Kansas City, MO 64148

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes Audrey Crabtree Executive Director KC Fringe Festival and June McDaniel EarlystART CEO. AUDREY CRABTREE, Executive Director KC Fringe The KC Fringe is the largest celebration of arts and culture in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Returning live for its 22nd season for a two-week explosion of performance, film, visual arts exhibitions, and events that showcase the work of local, national, and international artists. The mostly volunteer-run organization has been supporting artists, cultivating creators, and attracting adventurous audiences since July 2005. Our Mission-KC Fringe Festival champions creative expression by empowering artists to produce bold and innovative work through an annual visual and performing arts festival that is accessible and affordable for all. Our Vision-KC Fringe • Aspires to be the region’s leading pipeline for artistic innovation, fostering individuals and groups with opportunities to continue on their artistic journey through education, mentorship, collaborations and partnerships with emerging and established organizations. •  Create cultural understanding by amplifying diverse voices through inclusive representation in our artists, programming, audiences, and venues and expanding the festival to be reflective and inclusive of global cultures. • Envisions a vibrant, sustainable cultural landscape where artists and audiences converge, forming a dynamic and engaged community to experience the transformative power of the arts. Inclusivity Statement-KC Fringe is committed to providing a respectful, safe environment free from harassment, violence, discrimination, bullying, and abuse. We will not tolerate participation in activities or behaviors that discriminate on the ground of race, gender, age, marital status, religious beliefs, citizenship, mental and physical abilities or sexual orientation. We provide opportunities for everyone to contribute and participate in all events and activities whenever possible, and all community members are to be treated with respect and dignity. We seek to expand our reach to fight against injustices and become a more welcoming and equitable place for everyone to enjoy the performing arts. If you feel you are experiencing actions contrary to our safe, respectful environment, we want to hear from you. Please email our board liaison at [email protected]. Accessibility Statement-All of our venues are wheelchair accessible. If you require additional assistance, please contact us one week in advance at [email protected] for additional support at the venue.   www.kcfringe.org JUNE MCDANIEL, EarlystART CEO, Ex-Officio - Embrace Wonder! The earliest years are the wonder years. A time when children are curious by nature and undeterred by the unknown. That’s why an EarlystART education is distinctively different. Here, we believe in the ability of creative expression to fuel and express passion. We are where hope flies high. Where families flourish. Where kids can be kids.  Here, we believe all children deserve a great education right from the start and will make the world better because of it. We’re EarlystART, an innovator in wonder-filled early education for more than 50 years, and we’re just getting started! At EarlystART, we are redefining early childhood education through a unique arts-infused curriculum that nurtures creativity, curiosity, and confidence in children from six weeks to five years old. Our approach goes beyond traditional learning - integrating visual arts, music, movement, and imaginative play into daily instruction to support academic readiness, social-emotional growth and resilience. In a community where many children face significant barriers from the very start, this model is proving transformative. We are seeing firsthand how exposure to the arts helps shape capable, compassionate, and confident young learners - the emerging leaders and citizens our community will rely on in the years ahead. • Why arts-infused learning is a powerful (and often overlooked) driver of long-term success • How EarlystART is addressing critical gaps in access to high-quality early education • The broader impact this work has on families, workforce development, and community vitality • Invite the community to support the Art of Wonder, our signature breakfast event on August 5th at the Zhou B Art Center Our Project Construct evidence-based curriculum encourages positive teacher-student relationships, autonomy, and child-led experiences. In this supportive, collaborative and child-centered environment, students not only develop per their individual needs – they flourish! Project Construct classrooms incorporate many of the activities found in traditional classrooms such as pretend play and block building, but have a clear emphasis on cognitive objectives. At EarlystART, our distinctive approach blends the Project Construct curriculum with the Arts, sparking each child’s innate curiosity. We encourage creative expression and foster each child’s social competence, support learning through play, and forge strong home-school connections. Our one-of-a-kind arts-infused environment touches all aspects of learning while also engaging families in the process. In turn, our students become enthusiastic, independent, and inquisitive learners as they march to their own beats and do what works for them! The EarlystART curriculum is a magical mix of visual, musical, and dramatic arts that come to life in our classrooms, art studios, and venues around the community. Why Art is Smart-Experiencing the arts prompts the synapses in a child’s brain to fire away. And just like that, billions of new connections are formed through arts experiences and creative expression!  Our dedicated arts educators integrate the arts in meaningful ways: leading students and parents in after-school Stay-and-Play activities; addressing the special needs of students who have experienced trauma through arts-based therapies; welcoming talented Artists in Residence to The Studio, our on-site makerspace; engaging families and community in artistic and cultural experiences on site and around the community that inspire creative thought and an appreciation for the arts. EarlystART, 2008 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64127 The flagship center along Kansas City’s 12th Street Corridor has long been an anchor of hope and opportunity for children and families living in the historic Northeast neighborhoods or who work in the nearby downtown business district. THE ART OF WONDER Wednesday, August 5th, 2026 | Zhou B Art Center | 8:30-10 AM 1801 E. 18th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108  Wake up, pour a little joy, and let’s paint the morning bright together! The Art of Wonder begins with a curated student art gallery showcasing original works created by EarlystART Little Learners. Each piece tells a story of curiosity, imagination, and growth – a vivid reminder of what quality early education makes possible. Join us at this distinctive venue in the Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District. Enjoy coffee, breakfast, and a morning brimming with inspiration – all to benefit EarlystART! www.earlystartkc.org

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes Kansas Poet Laureate Traci Brimhall and artist/writer Jim Ramirez. TRACI BRIMHALL is a university distinguished professor of creative writing at Kansas State University, as well as the 2025 Poet-in-Residence at the Guggenheim. She is the author of five collections of poetry, most recently Love Prodigal (Copper Canyon Press, 2024). Her nonfiction debut, The Grief Artist, will be published by Sarabande Books in 2026. Known for her poems that often marry the ordinary with the surreal, Brimhall’s work has appeared widely in journals and magazines such as The New Yorker, Orion, The Atlantic, The New Republic, Poetry, The Nation, and The New York Times Magazine. Through fellowships with the National Endowment of the Arts, National Park Service, and Academy of American Poets she’s taught writing workshops in farm schools, art museums, libraries, medical communities, and the outdoors. She’s also received a Karnes Fellowships through Purdue Library’s Special Collections to study the lost poem drafts of Amelia Earhart. She is the current poet laureate of Kansas, where her initiatives have centered on uniting the state’s agricultural roots with the literary arts. Through poetry cookbooks, food-based mad lib poems, and bringing poetry to the State Fair, her literary arts advocacy seeks ways to bring the nourishment of language to all Kansans. As Poet Laureate of Kansas, Brimhall will conduct public readings, workshops, lectures, and presentations that serve communities across the state. Her plans for the laureateship will focus on connecting with Kansans through the shared experience of language, Kansas’ agricultural roots, and food. “I am delighted to serve Kansas as the next Poet Laureate,” Professor Traci Brimhall said. “I love connecting with others and building community, and I can’t wait for the next few years of celebrating creativity in the Sunflower State.” As the Poet Laureate of Kansas, Traci promotes arts as a public resource to all Kansans. Currently, Traci offers two prepared talks as laureate: WHY CAN’T THE HEART STOP ASKING? Poetry is an art of attention. But sometimes the more attention we pay to the world, the more astonishing and confusing it can be. The medical researcher Jonas Salk said: “What people think of as the moment of discovery is really the discovery of the question.” I believe this also holds true for poetry. What images do we see each day that excite our minds? What sounds do we hear that awaken our hearts? What poems ask for our attention and reward us with discovery? This presentation will use poetry to create surprises, explore our curiosities, and find new questions. MEMORY FEAST In so many communities there is an appetite to find language for our experiences and connect with others. Joyce Carol Oates said: “If food is poetry, is not poetry also food?” I believe cuisine can be a link to open a memory, a great way to connect with those we love, and a source of inspiration for poetry. This presentation will use poetry to connect us both with our senses in daily activities as well as help us recall memories that remind us of family, culture and community. Poetry can be a place of nourishment, a bounty of the sensory, a feast of words. The above programs are designed for a roughly 60-minute time frame but can be adjusted if necessary. Traci may be able to accommodate other program or appearance requests, but priority will be given for the listed programs. Kansascommerce.gov JIM RAMIREZ is an experienced, passionate and adventurous Design Professional with a sharp, creative eye for layout, color, typography, photography, and consumer-relevant product innovation. He is also a patent holder, photographer, fine artist, and published author. Where I’m Supposed To Belong is a memoir Jim wrote about a trip he took to Europe. The memoir consists of four parts. Part One: He arrives in Amsterdam and makes his way to the French Alps in an attempt to climb the most famous mountain in professional cycling, L'Alpe d'Huez, in less than an hour. Part Two: Nice. The French Riviera. Part Three: Avignon. Part Four: Barcelona. Reproduced throughout the book are the actual train tickets, restaurant receipts, and sketches he did along the way. Available at Amazon. “Where has Papu been?” is a children's book Jim wrote and illustrated that teaches children about different places around the world, and places he's actually traveled to. Places like Paris, France, where they’ll climb the Eiffel Tower. Hong Kong, for a ride in a sampan. They’ll take a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge and down the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The book is filled with colorful illustrations and many more landmarks in many more great cities. Available at Amazon. Who We Are is a book Jim wrote and designed about the genealogy of his parents. Available at Amazon. "My feeling is, if a creative idea comes to you, wherever they come from, you owe it to that idea to see it through [email protected]

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes poet/activist Miguel M. Morales and Marissa Pappas Great Plains Senior Major Gifts Officer. MIGUEL M. MORALES grew up in Texas working as a migrant/seasonal farmworker and child laborer. He was a finalist for the 2023 Kansas Poet Laureate. Miguel is a Lambda Literary Fellow and alum of VONA Voices and of the Macondo Writers Workshop. As a journalist, Miguel earned numerous awards including the Society of Professional Journalists' First Amendment Award. In addition to the anthologies featured here, Miguel's work also appears in Pilgrimage and Raspa magazines, Green Mountains Review, Hawaiʻi Review, Texas Poetry Review, Duende Journal, and other print and online publications. Morales is a prominent Kansas City, Missouri-based Latinx writer, poet, and community organizer. He is well-known for his work advocating for and uplifting farmworker communities and LGBTQ+ voices. Literary and Community Work • Writing: Morales is a Lambda Literary Fellow and an alum of the Macondo Writers Workshops and VONA/Voices. • Anthologies: He co-edited the widely recognized anthologies Pulse/Pulso: In Remembrance of Orlando and Fat & Queer: An Anthology of Queer and Trans Bodies and Lives. • The Common: He co-edited a landmark farmworker portfolio for The Common literary journal, highlighting essays, poems, and art by agricultural workers. • Local Involvement: He is a core member of Kansas City’s Latino Writers Collective and regularly participates in local arts and reading events, such as those at The Writers Place. • Rocket Grants Project Morales was awarded a Rocket Grant—a program administered by the Charlotte Street Foundation and the Spencer Museum of Art. His envisioned project supports farmworker youth in creating a dedicated poetry and art chapbook, drawing on his over twenty years of experience with youth education programs. Where to Follow His Work You can keep up with his writings, readings, and community projects via these platforms: • Instagram: @trustmiguel • Facebook: Miguel M. Morales - Writer • Books & Anthologies: Browse his catalog and edited collections on his Amazon Author Page MARISSA PAPPAS, Senior Major Gifts Officer, Great Plains SPCA- As an independent 501(c)(3) no kill shelter, with a 97% life release rate, GPSPCA provides lifesaving services for approximately 6,000 animals annually in the greater Kansas City area. Great Plains SPCA exists because of our caring Kansas City community and generous donors. We offer a lifelong, full-circle approach for pets and their human companions with our three-pronged approach: prevention, adoption, retention. When we began as Animal Haven in 1966, we committed to working as the community shelter, filling in a need that didn’t exist at the time. Today, our commitment remains to the cities and residents we support. As Kansas City’s premium family shelter, we continue to support the seven municipalities that we are contracted with including Overland Park, Leawood, Lenexa, Shawnee, Lake Quivira and Johnson County Parks and Recreation and unincorporated Johnson County. We work every day to provide best in class care for homeless pets, reuniting lost pets with their owners, and serving those in greatest need through our HERO, Pups for Parolees, Public Behavior classes and Pet Food Pantry programs. Our commitment to matching pets with forever homes is at the center of everything we do. Our Mission To drive change in our community through innovative programs that promote adoption, outreach and a better life for pets and the people who love them. As an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, our lifesaving services for animals can only be provided because of your generosity and commitment to our mission. Great Plains SPCA exists solely because of our caring Kansas City community and gracious donors like you. • We proudly report a live-release rate of 97% or higher.  Our live-release rate is calculated by the number of adoptions, returns to owner, transfers and other live outcomes for a given time period divided by the total number of animals the shelter brought in for that same period. • We offer a lifelong, full-circle approach for pets and their human companions with our three-pronged approach: prevention, adoption, retention. Great Plains SPCA is located at 5424 Antioch Dr. Merriam, KS 66202 (913)831-7722 www.greatplainsspca.org Lend A Paw is a donation match drive. This summer every contribution made to Great Plains SPCA will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling the support for our pets. Will you Lend A Paw to help us raise $670,000 by July 31?

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes Tom Mardikes, Jon Robertson, and Scott Preston. Sound Mandala is a one-of-a-kind immersive audio experience where 100 independent loudspeakers surround you—sound moving around you, above you, and through you. This isn't surround sound. It's something altogether different, carefully crafted by sound designers who spend hours mixing each piece moving the sound around you, above you, and beneath you. Audio becomes a physical environment you can step inside – you feel it as much as you hear it. We call it a Mecca concept — you can't stream it, download it, or replicate it anywhere else. You have to be there. TOM MARDIKES & JON ROBERTSON- Sound Mandala Summer 2026 runs June 10 – August 1 presented at Unicorn Theatre; tickets on sale May 1 Sound Mandala is back and this summer, it's bigger than ever. The groundbreaking immersive audio experience returns to the Unicorn Theatre's Jerome Stage June 10 through August 1, 2026, with three original programs that push the boundaries of what sound can do to a room and to the people inside it. Tickets at www.soundmandala.org/experience. Sound Mandala's summer run coincides with Kansas City's moment on the world stage as a 2026 FIFA World Cup host city and overlaps with the KC Fringe Festival, positioning it as a must-see cultural destination for international visitors and locals alike. At the heart of the experience: a custom-built array of 100 independent loudspeakers surrounding audiences on all sides — above them, beside them, moving through them. Programs are complex mixes of recording done by our artists, using their original tracks. "This is an experience that simply cannot be duplicated anywhere else," said creator and founder Tom Mardikes. "To experience it, you have to be there." Sound Mandala made its public debut at the 2024 KC Fringe Festival, where over 9 days more than 800 people experienced the installation. The creative team draws from artists and designers affiliated with UMKC Conservatory's Sound Design MFA program, and the project has grown from the research of UMKC professor Tom Mardikes over many years. Sound Mandala Institute, Inc. is a Kansas City–based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For history, technology, and more: www.soundmandala.org THE 2026 PROGRAMS Signal&Soul | June 10 – August 1 The flagship variety program, and Sound Mandala at its most kaleidoscopic. Roughly 50 minutes, 10 pieces, zero filler. Signal&Soul collides original music, theatrical performance, beatboxing, spoken word, and unexpected reinvention into a single, propulsive arc. Featured works include The Missionary by acclaimed KC artist Krizz Kaliko; an original composition by Austen Schober; a video game collage from Jacob Souders and Paul Vedros; a Chekhov vignette performed by Vanessa Severo; beatboxer Luke "Skippy" Harbur of musicbyskippy; MU by audio artist Rev. Dwight Frizzell; a new piece by Jon Robertson; and a Sound Mandala reimagining of the Beatles' "Tomorrow Never Knows" that has to be heard to be believed. Indie Spotlight from Challenger Artists | June 20 – August 1 Five bands. Two songs each. Original multi-track recordings mixed into an immersive system that will change how you hear them. Challenger Artists has assembled a remarkable roster for this approximately 60-minute set conceived specifically for the Sound Mandala environment. Featuring: Mini Trees, the indie-alt pop project of LA-based songwriter Lexi Vega, whose 2025 headline tour sold out venues coast to coast; Brooklyn duo TOLEDO; Valley Boy, whose collaborators include Sabrina Carpenter, Dua Lipa, and Troye Sivan; Midwest four-piece Post Sex Nachos, whose track "SOS" climbed to the SiriusXM Alt Nation Top 6; and Chicago indie act Capital Soiree, featured on Spotify's Fresh Finds editorial playlists. Unicorn Theatre | Jerome Stage 3828 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111 Tom Mardikes has worked on over 250 professional productions nationwide as Sound Designer for Kansas City Repertory Theatre (formerly Missouri Rep), the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, the Dallas Theatre Center, Syracuse Stage, Coconut Grove, the Roundabout, Buffalo Studio Arena, the Alley Theatre, Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and Shakespeare Santa Cruz. Jon Robertson A Kansas City-based sound designer and composer, honed his skills during the pandemic to improve online audio collaboration. In 2021, he co-created the audio tool, Tutti Remote, facilitating global audio syncing for performers. His work spans theatrical productions, films, and radio plays, earning recognition at festivals like New Music Gathering and KC Fringe. An educator at heart, Jon currently teaches at the University of Evansville and boasts degrees from UMKC and the University of Arizona. Jon has been working with the Sound Mandala since 2015. The Sound Mandala is a new way of listening to recorded sounds, in a room full of loudspeakers arranged in a matrix allowing for a wide variety of sound distribution and motion. In the auditory domain, the Sound Mandala imitates the visual trick of film motion by placing dozens of loudspeakers into a space organized into a matrix of lines and rows, then dividing, or spreading a sound along these lines and rows to create a sinuous ‘motion’ of sound. This summer the Sound Mandala will present a new show at the Unicorn Theatre as well as joining the KC Fringe Festival 2026, featuring a 100-loudspeaker channel system in the Jerome black box theatre seating 40 people. We refer to the Sound Mandala as a ‘Mecca-concept’----you must go there to have the experience. As this invention becomes commercialized and we experiment with visual images, this Mecca-concept will be a decided advantage to a film presenter---an advantage movie theatres do not enjoy today. The Sound Mandala experience cannot be duplicated in the home or in a car. When You Walk In... • An Acoustic Sanctuary: You’ll step into an intimate theater environment wrapped in an array of dozens of individual loudspeakers. • Perfect Sound, Every Seat: Unlike standard concert venues or movie theaters where the best sound is only in the exact center, the Sound Mandala is designed so that every seat is the best seat in the house. • A Journey for the Senses: You will sit back, relax, and let custom-composed music, vivid soundscapes, and acoustic narratives wash over your senses and move right through you. SCOTT PRESTON-The Traveling Hippo is a children's book that encourages family travel traditions, featuring a narrator and seven characters who guide families in taking a stuffed hippo on vacation to create memories. The book, which includes a travel log and illustrations by Preston's daughter, Lilly, is part of a larger "Hippo Universe" that includes merchandise like plushies and trading cards, and it aims to be more than just a story but a family activity. Key aspects of the book and tradition: • Concept: Families bring a stuffed hippo on trips, using the book as a guide and a travel journal to record their adventures. • Characters: The story features a narrator, Hammy the bird, and other characters that help explain the tradition. • Family involvement: The project is a family affair, with Preston's daughter Lilly doing illustrations and his son helping with the website. • Origin: The tradition started with the author's own children using a hippo from a discount store on their trips. • Merchandise: The "Hippo Universe" includes the book, plush toys, and other items, with plans for more books and products. • Awards: It was a finalist in the 2026 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org ARTSPEAK RADIO is entering its' 14th year-if you tune in weekly, download podcasts, listen online, if you learn about new opportunities happening in the creative community, enjoy listening to one of the many guests featured weekly on ARTSPEAK RADIO then call 888-931-0901 to pledge your support. Online pledges are simple, just go to www.kkfi.org and show us your support for YOUR community radio station. It's time for you to support this on air arts program that gives local artists, spoken word poets, painters, sculptors, musicians, arts educators, museums, arts organizations, and so many more the opportunity to discuss their art, chapbooks, events, openings, performances, innovations, and submissions for artistic opportunities. SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS RADIO STATION AND ARTSPEAK RADIO NOW IN ITS' 14TH YEAR!!! Call 888-931-0901 and make your pledge. Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes producer/writer Jerry Rapp and Christina Loya Mattie Rhodes Public Historian & Community Engagement Coordinator. CHRISTINA LOYA Mattie Rhodes Public Historian & Community Engagement Coordinator- The Museum of Kansas City is proud to announce that Connecting Cultures Across Kansas City: The Hand-in-Hand Folk Art Collection is opening to the public on Friday, June 12 at the Museum. This exhibition is organized by the Mattie Rhodes Center and presented in collaboration with The Museum of Kansas City. The Hand-in-Hand Folk Art Collection was started by Alice Ann Biggerstaff (1924–2007) and later donated to Mattie Rhodes. A Kansas City native, Alice Ann was an artist who worked for more than three decades at Hallmark Cards. Upon retirement, she moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she continued collecting artwork and created a vibrant, welcoming home.Showcasing more than 150 rarely seen works of folk art from across the globe, with a particular focus on pieces from Latin America and the American Southwest, Connecting Cultures Across Kansas City explores how folk art reflects shared values and human experiences across communities and cultures. Through cultural expression, identity, and time-honored traditions, these works bridge local communities and global traditions. In this exhibit, you will encounter works by multigenerational artisan families, including the exquisite ceramic traditions of the Aguilar and Blanco families of Oaxaca, as well as the whimsically carved wooden animals of the Alvarez and Rodríguez families of the American Southwest. Also included are countless works created by artisans whose names were never recorded or have been lost to history. For centuries, the contributions of people of color, women, and other marginalized groups have too often been misattributed or erased, even as their work has shaped cultural identity and community memory. Connecting Cultures invites viewers to honor both the named and the unnamed makers, and to consider how artistry survives through generations by blending ancient techniques with cultural storytelling, acting as a living link to history, identity, and resilience. The exhibition also emphasizes the vital role of collecting as a form of cultural stewardship—preserving stories, supporting artists, and ensuring that meaningful objects remain accessible to future generations. An installation inspired by Alice Ann’s home in Santa Fe will be featured, alongside selected pieces of her clothing, offering insight into the personal vision behind the collection. Folk art encompasses a wide range of handmade objects created for daily life, ritual, and celebration, often using region-specific materials and techniques. These works embody lived experience and serve as carriers of cultural knowledge, helping sustain identity across generations. Whether a colorful and imaginative alebrije—a fantastical creature rooted in Mexican folk traditions—a giant painted wooden crocodile from Santa Fe, or an intricately crafted ceramic Tree of Life, these pieces are gentle reminders that beauty and imagination have existed for thousands of years and will endure long after the item itself is gone. The Museum of Kansas City is located at 3218 Gladstone Blvd. KCMO On view June 12, 2026 through January 2027 JERRY RAPP-“GOSPEL IS A DRAG” DEBUTS AT THE ARTS ASYLUM THEATER KCMO- “Gospel Is A Drag,” an original musical written by Jerry Rapp, will make its debut at the Arts Asylum Theater, 824 E Meyer Blvd in Kansas City. The limited engagement performances are June 12-15 and June 19-22. Showtimes are 7:30 PM CST on Fridays and Saturdays and 7:00 PM CST on Sunday and Mondays. Tickets and more information are available at www.gospelisadrag.com The show is set in the fictional town of Squibbtown, Missouri, where a stuffy town hall meeting is suddenly crashed by the fabulous Gloria- backed by her stellar choir - ready to sing and speak her truth. The show is described as an “InfoMusical,” and “a unique, rollicking, interactive experience filled with more music, frivolity, inspiration, education and improvisation than one ever thought possible” promising original songs and new arrangements of traditional hymns. The musical stars popular performance artist Tajma Stetson and features many notable local performers in the ensemble. The Director is Kevin Bogan with Musical Direction by Trevor Smith. The Arts Asylum was founded in 2011 to provide artists of all mediums a safe place to create and continues that mission today through their emphasis on new works, classics reimagined, and educational outreach. Rapp is an award-winning producer and writer who makes his Arts Asylum debut with the play. “It feels like one of the most important personal works I have done up to this point in my career.” says Rapp. “Our show points out that there are more commonalities than differences between us,” adds Stetson. “We hope people will make new friends, hear some catchy songs and have their spirits uplifted!” JUNE 12-15 and 19-22 CONTACT: ARTS ASYLUM THEATER Jerry Rapp 824 E Meyer Blvd 323-354-0115 Kansas City, MO 64131 [email protected]

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes artist GK Callahan, John Todd the Radio God. BEN WENDT, musician, & GK CALLAHAN artist.-10th Annual Arts in the Park Festival is a free two-day celebration of creativity, culture, and community at Macken Park in North Kansas City. This year's festival features more than 60 artists and makers, live music, food trucks, a beer garden, a petting zoo, family activities, and, through a partnership with the Kansas City Ethnic Enrichment Commission, cultural performances, traditional dance, music, and food representing communities from across the region. We look forward to celebrating everyone in North Kansas City, and enjoying arts and culture with our neighbors. https://www.artsinthepark.org GK Callahan is a civic artist and Community Arts & Engagement Specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, as well as a member of the North Kansas City Arts in the Park Festival Planning Committee. Ben Wendt, local musician, co-owner of The Rhino, and Arts in the Park committee member who helps coordinate the festival’s music programming. JOHN TODD The Radio God- The phrase, “Under the Radar,” literally means to go without attracting notice; in an undetected or secretive manner. But don’t let the title of John Todd’s radio program fool you. If the bands he plays on air were unnoticed before, they are surely on someone’s radar now. John has made it his personal mission to unearth Kansas City’s best musicians by giving them the airplay they deserve. On his program, “Under the Radar”, anything goes. From rock to country, folk to funk, there’s something here for all. Tune in Sunday night from 10-12 p.m. and let John help you get these under-represented bands on your music radar.

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes Madison McKinley Marketing & Communications Manager with Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art and designer Laura Treas. MADISON McKINLEY, Marketing & Communications Manager, Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art Join us for a full day of art, music, food, and community celebration at the Albrecht- Kemper Museum of Art Art Fair & Block Party in collaboration with the Noyes Home for Children! Featuring fine artists from across the region, this annual event is the perfect opportunity to discover original artwork while supporting talented local and regional artists. From paintings and ceramics to jewelry, prints, and handcrafted works, collectors and casual art enthusiasts alike will find unique pieces to suit a variety of tastes and price points. This year’s celebration expands beyond the traditional art fair experience with a special community block party featuring live musical performances, delicious food, a cash bar, family-friendly activities, and much more. Together with the Noyes Home, we’re creating a vibrant event that brings art and community together in a meaningful and exciting way. Whether you’re an avid collector, a first-time buyer, or simply looking for a fun summer outing, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! Saturday, June 6 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Free Admission Come celebrate creativity, connection, and community with us! Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art 2818 Frederick Ave. Saint Joseph, MO 64506 816-233-7003 www.albrecht-kemper.org LAURA TREAS- Laura Treas is a Needle Trades Advocate who founded a Full Service Design and Development agency that makes dreams come true for her clients. Taking their ideas and turning them into sellable products while coaching them through the process. She has had 7 clients pitch for Shark Tank as Startups for their inventions. As a Small Batch Manufacturing expert Laura empowers women to build their own micro-factories for sewing and train them on the products so that they can become the production managers for her clients. She also has her own line of compression undergarments and is considered a compression expert. FASHION IS GEOMETRY | SEWING IS PSYCHICS | PATTERNING IS ENGINEERING Images of school shootings are filled with helmeted men in uniforms crouched in halls and clutching weapons ready to mount an assault to protect children but a woman entrepreneur in Kansas City is taking a proactive approach to protecting children. Laura Treas, Owner/Founder, Fashion Tech Kansas City, is the lead designer for Titanium Flex Gear which is a bullet-resistant clothing company. Her expertise in creating, fitting and manufacturing clothing is at the heart of a new product that children can wear every day in any situation. “This is the first covert undershirt protection for children on the market,” said Treas. “It can be worn under any clothing and the snug fit tank-style undergarment, which holds the panels, allows the child to feel protected emotionally as well as physically.” “Can I keep this?” When children have tried it on they want to keep it on. The parents respond with “But, you haven’t had any shootings at your school” and they reply “But, I know they happen and this makes me feel safe”. As an undergarment expert with her own line, Laura was the perfect fit for Titanium Flex Gear.16 years of experience fitting clients for undergarments that change their lives has made this a match made in Heaven. Laura’s expertise in fabrics and clothing design will make a difference in comfort and wearability of this protection product. 2 months ago she did not know how her life was going to change. As someone who has had 7 clients get approved to pitch for Shark Tank, as startups, she’s no newby to inventions but this was something she would actually become a part of. When she got the call from a far away island to discuss possible manufacturing she quickly said “Tell me more”. “If we can save one child it will have been worth it” is what Monty Clark believes. He had this idea for protection for children, went overseas to source this panel and had been manufacturing with a mom and pop shop but needed to find a new manufacturer. Neither he nor Laura knew until they met in person that the stars would align. “Everyone thinks it’s easy to launch a product and they don’t know how hard it really is. How many steps it takes. How hard it is to find all the information. The amount of micro decisions. But, when I met Monty in person and saw his safety panels and then showed him my undergarments and that we could marry them into this comfortable, wearable protection product that could save lives, I was ecstatic because this is so easy to wear. This can lower children’s anxiety”. As a designer that makes garments for her local Children’s Hospital this is a product Laura Treas can get behind. www.fashiontechkansascity.com

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes poet/writer Olive Sullivan and Vince Medellin freelance Character Designer/ Comic Artist. OLIVE SULLIVAN- Poet, playwright, and bookbinder--the common denominator is books. Olive L. Sullivan invites you to come celebrate the world of paper and ink with her at her brick-and-mortar bookbinding studio in Pittsburg, Kan. Sullivan Book Arts is celebrating its one-year anniversary on Sunday, June 21, 2026, with a reception on the lawn. The event will feature food, music, an open mic, and crafts for everyone.  Sullivan, from Pittsburg, Kan., is a Kansas Touring Artist through the Kansas Arts Commission. A former teacher, Sullivan has led writing workshops for various groups, including the Tar Creek Conference in Oklahoma, where participants wrote about environmental action. As the recipient of a kidney transplant, cancer survivor, and widow, she writes about place, grief, and surviving hard times. She is the author of two full-length poetry collections, a play, and several poems, short stories, and essays in a variety of journals and anthologies.  She is inspired by the natural world around her. She loves traveling for inspiration, and spends her free time singing to her dog, Balthazar. Visit the website at sullivanbookarts.com or check out Sullivan Book Arts on Facebook and Olive L. Sullivan on Facebook and Instagram. VINCE MEDELLIN- Hola! My name is Vincent Medellin. In this case, when referencing my illustration practice, I prefer my penname, Vinny “Zigzag” Medellin. Why Zigzag? The art style that I have cultivated over the years has incorporated a loose, gestural style. Also, it is fun for kids and the “kids at heart” to say! I work both digitally (using my iPad) and with traditional mediums. The materials I use range from cardboard and grocery bags to masking tape, colored pencils and crayons. The idea is to encourage kids to use materials that are readily available to them. This stems from a cultural motivation for sustainability. A philosophy that can best be described as “rasquache” among Mexican American communities. Essentially, rasquache means, “use what you have.” By referencing this philosophy, I hope that my art can be viewed as unique, welcoming, and approachable. The artwork I create (both in my fine art and illustrative practice) is community focused. I have partnered with organizations such as The Nelson-Atkins Gallery of Art, Mattie Rhodes, and Johnson County Library to reach thepublic. In addition to working as an artist, I have worked in bookstores and libraries. A trend that I have noticed among non-white, underrepresented groups, is an interest in manga storytelling. Watching kids race to these sections, checking out manga in droves, inspired me to look deeper into the intersection between this style of graphic storytelling and the lived experiences of non-white youth in America. Naturally, this led me to analyze my own experience with manga/anime in hopes of developing and publishing, through a major publishing house, a graphic novel inspired by manga styling. I want to tell the stories of my ancestors, and validate the communities who desire to see more of themselves within comic book storytelling. I identify as Chicano and, like most who identify as such, I feel caught between the margins of society. “Chicano” is a term used by Mexican Americans to describe themselves as being, “not from here, not from there.” Representation of Mexicans and/or Mexican Americans was limited in the United States during the 1990s. Mexicans existed in the media, but as a stereotype or a parody conceived by a dominant white class. Even so, I took what I could get. This is why characters such as Speedy Gonzalez, and his cousin, Slowpoke Rodriguez still connect to the roots of millennial Chicano experiences. This was all we had. There was nothing that expressed our lived experiences as Chicano. Nothing that validated our feelings of being marginalized and forced to assimilate. The cartoons we watched told us that Mexicans were a joke. I felt desperate to access the ethnic roots I was being denied. In short, I wanted over the wall that the media had created. Today, I use my artistic practice to not only lift myself above this wall, but to also help empower others to free themselves from the arbitrary parameters developed by colonial conquest.

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes Knotty Orchid and Coti Meier. KNOTTY ORCHID-Feel the Kansas City Heat with Risqué Revelry! Come celebrate Kansas City culture, Parisian themes, and Jazz with a vaudevillian flair! We have a range of risqué entertainment from songbirds and poets to fancy femmes ready to tantalize your senses at our Paris of the Plains show on May 23rd, 2026 at Arts Asylum located at 824 E Meyer Blvd KCMO 64131 Doors open at 8:00pm and the show starts at 9:00pm. Tickets can be bought in advance at Eventbrite or at the door. The show will also include a raffle for fun prizes and wonderful local vendors in our lobby. Hot off the heels of several sold out shows this season already, Risqué Revelry is ready to entice even more folks to this beautiful and expressive performance art. And your continued support has allowed us another year nominated for Best Burlesque Troupe in The Pitch KC! Risqué Revelry is Kansas City’s exceptional burlesque and variety show focused on uplifting marginalized voices within the arts communities. We pride ourselves in resurrecting the vaudevillian roots of burlesque and creating a space for all types of performers. Risqué Revelry is LGBTQ+, Femme, Latina, and Kanaka Maoli (Indigenous Hawaiian) owned. Diversity is always at the forefront of Risqué Revelry, LLC productions Arts Asylum 824 E. Meyer Blvd. KCMO www.theartsasylum.org www.risquerevelry.com COTI MEIER Kansas City-based artist Coti Meier finds humor in the everyday to create her drawings and collages. Her process involves layering paint, paper scraps, graphite, found images, and varied mark-making atop wood panels, often including quirky quips drawn from her personal experience or observations of others. Art has long been central to Meier’s life, helping her navigate mental health, while inviting connections with others through visual storytelling— sometimes humorous, sometimes reflective. Coti’s work is currently on display in the Art of Imagination case at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures here in Kansas City. She will also be Artist of the Month at Roots KC - Westside in June with an opening event for the month long pop-up on Saturday, June 6 from 12 to 2 pm. Instagram: @dakotacoti / https://www.instagram.com/dakotacoti/

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes artist/brand strategist Ellie Kort, Ricky Catto creative technologist, Caryn Hohnholt with KC Hospice, and artist Annieo Klaas. ANNIEO KLAAS Cerbera Gallery cordially invites you to: "When The Sun Saw The Sky" New Works by Annieo Klaas Thursday, at the Cerbera Gallery 2011 Baltimore Ave Kansas City, MO 64108. In When The Sun Saw The Sky, Annieo Klaas presents a series of oil paintings inspired by sunlight filtering through window blinds, casting golden rays across her studio. As these rays fall onto her painted skies, a subtle visual loop emerges—light illuminating the sky, while the sky seems to look back at itself. Capturing these fleeting moments, Klaas creates atmospheric compositions that blur the line between interior and exterior, offering a quiet meditation on light, reflection, and perception. www.cerberagallery.com instagram: Annieo Klaas @annieoklaas ELLIE KORT artist/brand strategist & RICKY CATTO creative technologist- More than 45 studios will open inside the historic Livestock Exchange Building in the West Bottoms during Spring Open Studios on Friday, May 15, from 5 PM to 9 PM and Saturday, May 16, from 11 AM to 3 PM. The event invites the public to explore multiple floors of the landmark building, which now houses a growing community of artists, makers, and creative studios. Visitors can meet artists and see work in progress ranging from painting and sculpture to jewelry and textiles. With studios across several floors, visitors can experience an artist studio community all in one place. This year’s Spring Open Studios is organized by artists Ellie Kort and Ricky Catto on behalf of the artists working in the Livestock Exchange Building. The historic Livestock Exchange Building, once the headquarters of one of the nation’s largest livestock markets, was restored in the 1990s by Bill Haw Sr., who dedicated the fifth floor to artist studio spaces. “Open studios give people the chance to experience the creative process up close,” said Kort. “You can walk through the building, step into studios, and meet the artists who are making work there every day.” Admission is free and open to the public. Event Details Spring Open Studios Livestock Exchange Building 1600 Genessee St. Kansas City, Missouri 64102 Friday, May 15, 5 PM to 9 PM Saturday, May 16, 11 AM to 3 PM More information at stockyards.studio Facebook page: Open Studios Facebook Instagram: Stockyards Studios Programming and Community Support. The event will include live music and food vendors throughout the weekend, with performances by DJ Jon Sabillon, jazz pianist Eddie Moore, and Sass-A-Brass. About the Organizers Ellie Kort is a Kansas City–based brand strategist and artist with more than 20 years of experience in design, research, and creative leadership, including roles at Hallmark and VML, focusing on understanding how people think. Ricky Catto is a Kansas City–based creative technologist and experimental builder working across fabrication, electronics, and unconventional objects. His work focuses on hands-on experimentation and building unexpected things. CARYN HOHNHOLT KC Hospice- Please join Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care as we illuminate Mill Creek Park at the Country Club Plaza with hundreds of luminaries, each in remembrance of someone who has left their mark on our hearts. Please arrive early to light your luminary. This free event is hosted by Kansas City Hospice and is open to all. Join us Tuesday, May 19, 8pm, at 47th Street & Mill Creek Parkway, KCMO (Please note, there are no virtual candles this year, but we will post a list of all honorees shortly following the event.) "Standing among hundreds of glowing luminaries, each one honoring a life deeply loved, I felt surrounded by a community that understands loss." The end of a person’s life is a significant time when they can reflect on their life and accomplishments, work through their regrets and challenges, and spend their remaining days with friends and family in comfort and peace. For families, whose loved one is experiencing a serious illness or life-limiting condition, this precious time is one of life’s most meaningful milestones. Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care thoughtfully designs our programs to give families the peace of mind to walk together with their loved ones through the end of life journey, and through the grief and healing process. We provide expertise, perspective, innovative local leadership, education, and solutions around end-of-life issues facing the greater Kansas City community. Our compassionate team of healthcare professionals is dedicated to serving individuals at home and throughout the community - no matter their age, financial resources, or complexity of needs. The goal of hospice and palliative care for both adults and children is to relieve pain and provide emotional support, comfort, and guidance to patients and their families. KCH provides families with a range of the highest quality healthcare services for infants through centenarians facing a serious illness or life-limiting condition. We also provide the wider community with a complex array of grief support, to help families emerge from loss with strength and understanding. www.kchospice.org Caryn joined the team at Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care in 2017 and has more than 26 years of executive leadership and fundraising experience.

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, April 29, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes Kansas City Art Institute students with Professor Kat Dison Nechlebová writer writer Blair Schulman. BLAIR SCHULMAN- On May 1, Midwest Agenda celebrates its fifth anniversary, marking five consecutive years of daily coverage dedicated to documenting contemporary art across the American Midwest. Founded in 2021 by critic, writer, and speaker Blair Schulman, Midwest Agenda is anindependent, free, and publicly accessible platform documenting regional cultural activity. Through artist features, exhibition announcements, critical commentary, and reporting, it amplifies artists and institutions often overlooked by national art media. Over five years, the project has documented thousands of exhibitions and events across twelve states, creating one of the most consistent public archives of Midwestern art. Midwest Agenda’s coverage has tracked key developments impacting artists and communities, including shifts in public arts funding, debates around public art and civic space, the role of artificial intelligence in creative practice, political impact on the arts and the increasing influence of artist-led initiatives. Its social media platforms extend this work through direct, public-facing critiques of how current events shape artistic production and cultural conditions across the Midwest. The anniversary underscores several conclusions drawn from the archive: • Independent, decentralized media platforms are essential to documenting contemporary art ecosystems where visibility remains a barrier • Art in the Midwest is deeply connected to civic, political, and community life As Midwest Agenda enters its sixth year, it continues its commitment to daily publication and long-term documentation, reinforcing its role as both a news source and a living archive of the region’s cultural landscape. Support Midwest Agenda with a tax-deductible donation through its fiscal sponsor, Blair Schulman Insta: midwestagenda TikTok: midwestagenda KCAI Sculpture Students- Inspiration for sculpture is everywhere. It can be informed from the rock on your hike, the smile of a stranger, or a song on your playlist. In KCAI’s Sculpture School, you’ll explore the conceptual, spatial, material, and processes that can bring your vision to life. In Sculpture, learn to transfer abstract ideas into materials and form. Weld, mold, cast, fabricate, or computer code your imagination into artwork. At the Sculpture School, students explore object-making, digital pieces, and installations. Discover sound and video, performance, kinetics, and multimedia art. Dive into collaborative, culturally diverse ventures and create community art projects. Work on both small and large-scale pieces in our outdoor foundry or the new digital lab. Make work that is relevant to contemporary issues and global art practice. Kansas City Art Institute is located at 4415 Warwick Blvd. KCMO www. kcai.edu