11-13-2026
Presented by Prairie Village Arts Council at R.G. Endres Gallery, Prairie Village
Fri, Oct 02 @ 8:00 am Mon, Oct 05 @ 8:00 am Tue, Oct 06 @ 8:00 am Wed, Oct 07 @ 8:00 am Thu, Oct 08 @ 8:00 am Fri, Oct 09 @ 8:00 am Mon, Oct 12 @ 8:00 am Tue, Oct 13 @ 8:00 am Wed, Oct 14 @ 8:00 am Thu, Oct 15 @ 8:00 am Fri, Oct 16 @ 8:00 am Mon, Oct 19 @ 8:00 am Tue, Oct 20 @ 8:00 am Wed, Oct 21 @ 8:00 am Thu, Oct 22 @ 8:00 am Fri, Oct 23 @ 8:00 am Mon, Oct 26 @ 8:00 am Tue, Oct 27 @ 8:00 am Wed, Oct 28 @ 8:00 am Thu, Oct 29 @ 8:00 am Fri, Oct 30 @ 8:00 am Mon, Nov 02 @ 8:00 am Tue, Nov 03 @ 8:00 am Wed, Nov 04 @ 8:00 am Thu, Nov 05 @ 8:00 am Fri, Nov 06 @ 8:00 am Mon, Nov 09 @ 8:00 am Tue, Nov 10 @ 8:00 am Wed, Nov 11 @ 8:00 am Thu, Nov 12 @ 8:00 am Fri, Nov 13 @ 8:00 am - less dates and times
State of The Arts 2026 is the Prairie Village Arts Council's 20th annual REGIONAL juried competition for all 2D and 3D artworks, photography, and poetry/prose held every Fall. The Exhibition runs during the months of September & October. Why is...
[more+]State of The Arts 2026 is the Prairie Village Arts Council's 20th annual REGIONAL juried competition for all 2D and 3D artworks, photography, and poetry/prose held every Fall. The Exhibition runs during the months of September & October. Why is State of the Arts the biggest exhibition on the Prairie Village Arts Council (PVAC) calendar? Several reasons stand out, including the exhibition's competition aspect. The PVAC receives hundreds of applications each year, guaranteeing a wide range of artistic styles and subject matter, all entered in hopes of winning the $1,000 Best in Show award. The juried competition also selects Merit awards worth $750 each. The turnout for this show is always strong, boosted in part by the chance to vote for the $250 People's Choice award. An important part of State of the Arts' appeal is its diversity, with stunning florals hanging near traditional depictions of Kansas City landmarks, feet away from daring landscapes, incisive portraits, and abstract pieces that provoke images and feelings in the mind of the viewer. The R.G. Endres Gallery, in Prairie Village City Hall, fills every year for this event, and this year's 20th Anniversary edition is likely to be the biggest ever, with ๐ฎ๐, ๐ฏ๐, ๐ฝ๐ต๐ผ๐๐ผ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ต๐, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฒ๐๐ฟ๐/๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ artworks juried in from the area's finest artists. ๐ก๐ฒ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ: 1. the inclusion of photography and poetry/prose 2. a theme: ๐๐๐๐ค๐ก๐ก๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐จ ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ: ๐ฅ๐๐๐ข๐๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก๐ฆ For the first time (or at least in a long while) we have a THEME for State of the Arts. In honor of our 20th Annual State of the Arts, we present the theme of RECOLLECTIONS. ๐ด๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐โฆ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐. โ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐ก๐ค๐๐๐โ๐ก, ๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐ "๐๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ท๐๐๐๐๐ " Selected artists interpreted this theme in their own ways.
[less-]12-05-2026
Presented by Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center at Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, Overland Park
Fri, Oct 02 @ 9:00 am Sat, Oct 03 @ 9:00 am Mon, Oct 05 @ 9:00 am Tue, Oct 06 @ 9:00 am Wed, Oct 07 @ 9:00 am Thu, Oct 08 @ 9:00 am Fri, Oct 09 @ 9:00 am Sat, Oct 10 @ 9:00 am Mon, Oct 12 @ 9:00 am Tue, Oct 13 @ 9:00 am Wed, Oct 14 @ 9:00 am Thu, Oct 15 @ 9:00 am Fri, Oct 16 @ 9:00 am Sat, Oct 17 @ 9:00 am Mon, Oct 19 @ 9:00 am Tue, Oct 20 @ 9:00 am Wed, Oct 21 @ 9:00 am Thu, Oct 22 @ 9:00 am Fri, Oct 23 @ 9:00 am Sat, Oct 24 @ 9:00 am Mon, Oct 26 @ 9:00 am Tue, Oct 27 @ 9:00 am Wed, Oct 28 @ 9:00 am Thu, Oct 29 @ 9:00 am Fri, Oct 30 @ 9:00 am Sat, Oct 31 @ 9:00 am Mon, Nov 02 @ 9:00 am Tue, Nov 03 @ 9:00 am Wed, Nov 04 @ 9:00 am Thu, Nov 05 @ 9:00 am Fri, Nov 06 @ 9:00 am Sat, Nov 07 @ 9:00 am Mon, Nov 09 @ 9:00 am Tue, Nov 10 @ 9:00 am Wed, Nov 11 @ 9:00 am Thu, Nov 12 @ 9:00 am Fri, Nov 13 @ 9:00 am Sat, Nov 14 @ 9:00 am Mon, Nov 16 @ 9:00 am Tue, Nov 17 @ 9:00 am Wed, Nov 18 @ 9:00 am Thu, Nov 19 @ 9:00 am Fri, Nov 20 @ 9:00 am Sat, Nov 21 @ 9:00 am Mon, Nov 23 @ 9:00 am Tue, Nov 24 @ 9:00 am Wed, Nov 25 @ 9:00 am Thu, Nov 26 @ 9:00 am Fri, Nov 27 @ 9:00 am Sat, Nov 28 @ 9:00 am Mon, Nov 30 @ 9:00 am Tue, Dec 01 @ 9:00 am Wed, Dec 02 @ 9:00 am Thu, Dec 03 @ 9:00 am Fri, Dec 04 @ 9:00 am Sat, Dec 05 @ 9:00 am - less dates and times
All 112 of Rebecca Beese's watercolor bird portraits are on display, telling the story of population decline within North American birds. This exhibit is at the Johnson County Art & Heritage Center Aug 29-Dec 5, 2026. M-F 9am-5pm.
All 112 of Rebecca Beese's watercolor bird portraits are on display, telling the story of population decline within North American birds. This exhibit is at the Johnson County Art & Heritage Center Aug 29-Dec 5, 2026. M-F 9am-5pm.
[less-]11-13-2026
Presented by Prairie Village Arts Council at Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, Prairie Village
Fri, Oct 02 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 03 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 04 @ 10:00 am Mon, Oct 05 @ 10:00 am Tue, Oct 06 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 07 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 08 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 09 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 10 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 11 @ 10:00 am Mon, Oct 12 @ 10:00 am Tue, Oct 13 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 14 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 15 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 16 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 17 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 18 @ 10:00 am Mon, Oct 19 @ 10:00 am Tue, Oct 20 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 21 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 22 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 23 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 24 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 25 @ 10:00 am Mon, Oct 26 @ 10:00 am Tue, Oct 27 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 28 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 29 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 30 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 31 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 01 @ 10:00 am Mon, Nov 02 @ 10:00 am Tue, Nov 03 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 04 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 05 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 06 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 07 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 08 @ 10:00 am Mon, Nov 09 @ 10:00 am Tue, Nov 10 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 11 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 12 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 13 @ 10:00 am - less dates and times
"Our minds are tireless editors. According to neuroscientists, each time we touch our memories, we change them. When we recollect, we rewrite. Certainly with art we shape and reshape our the story of our memories. And yet, even knowing we canโt...
[more+]"Our minds are tireless editors. According to neuroscientists, each time we touch our memories, we change them. When we recollect, we rewrite. Certainly with art we shape and reshape our the story of our memories. And yet, even knowing we canโt quite render them precisely, we canโt stop trying to nearly capture the ineffable moments of our life."
~Traci Brimhall
Recollections is a collaborative poetry and printmaking exhibit with Kansas Poet Laureate Traci Brimhall and printmaker and graphic designer Lori Stanziola.
๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ผ๐น๐ฎ
Lori Stanziola (she/her) is a Kansas City based artist specializing in fine art printmaking. Drawing on her experience as a designer, Lori revels in the use of graphic shapes and patterns to create richly layered works from hand carved blocks. Her work depicts patterns, contrasts and rhythms present in land, flora and food that serve to evoke emotions and shared experiences. Lori was the featured artist for Lawrence Art in the Park in 2021, was chosen as the featured print artist for Smoky Hill River Fest in 2024, and her work/booth was awarded Best in Show at the 2026 Prairie Village Art Show.
๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐บ๐ต๐ฎ๐น๐น
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 and the current poet laureate of Kansas, where her initiatives have centered on uniting the stateโs agricultural roots with the literary arts. 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.
12-06-2026
Presented by Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Overland Park
Fri, Oct 02 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 03 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 04 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 06 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 07 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 08 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 09 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 10 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 11 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 13 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 14 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 15 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 16 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 17 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 18 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 20 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 21 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 22 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 23 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 24 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 25 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 27 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 28 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 29 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 30 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 31 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 01 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 03 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 04 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 05 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 06 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 07 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 08 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 10 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 11 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 12 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 13 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 14 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 15 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 17 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 18 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 19 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 20 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 21 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 22 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 24 @ 10:00 am Tue, Dec 01 @ 10:00 am Wed, Dec 02 @ 10:00 am Thu, Dec 03 @ 10:00 am Fri, Dec 04 @ 10:00 am Sat, Dec 05 @ 10:00 am Sun, Dec 06 @ 12:00 pm - less dates and times
Sport and Spectator celebrates the dynamic intersection of the visual arts and sports culture, presenting an array of works that transform sports imagery and equipment such as basketballs, helmets, and jerseys into artworks. The exhibition...
[more+]Sport and Spectator celebrates the dynamic intersection of the visual arts and sports culture, presenting an array of works that transform sports imagery and equipment such as basketballs, helmets, and jerseys into artworks. The exhibition invites viewers to consider how sports shape our society, from their impact on the individual to their broader cultural influences.
Sport and Spectator features works by Brandon J. Donahue-Shipp, Jeffrey Gibson, Raul Rene Gonzalez, Sophie Inard, Brian Jungen, Justin Korver, Betsy Odom, Esmaa Mohamoud, Hank Willis Thomas and Tyrrell Winston. Now at the Nerman Museum, this exhibition is expanded further to include additional artworks from local, national, and international collections and artists, including works by Felipe Barbosa, Sandow Birk, Zoe Buckman, Rob Carter, Benjamin Degen, Awol Erizku, Archie Scott Gobber, Hugh Hayden, Samuel Levi Jones, Esteban Ramรณn Pรฉrez, and Jake Troyli.
This exhibition, originally on view at the McNay Art Museum, was organized by Renรฉ Paul Barilleaux, Head of Curatorial Affairs; and Lauren Thompson, Curator of Exhibitions.
[less-]12-06-2026
Presented by Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Overland Park
Fri, Oct 02 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 03 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 04 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 06 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 07 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 08 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 09 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 10 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 11 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 13 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 14 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 15 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 16 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 17 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 18 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 20 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 21 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 22 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 23 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 24 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 25 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 27 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 28 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 29 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 30 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 31 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 01 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 03 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 04 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 05 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 06 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 07 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 08 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 10 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 11 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 12 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 13 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 14 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 15 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 17 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 18 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 19 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 20 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 21 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 22 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 24 @ 10:00 am Tue, Dec 01 @ 10:00 am Wed, Dec 02 @ 10:00 am Thu, Dec 03 @ 10:00 am Fri, Dec 04 @ 10:00 am Sat, Dec 05 @ 10:00 am Sun, Dec 06 @ 12:00 pm - less dates and times
Betsabeรฉ Romero, a Mexican visual artist known for her installations, will have three site-specific works installed in the Nerman Museum lobby, coming together to create A Field with Roots (Un campo con raรญces).
A Field with Roots is comprised...
[more+]Betsabeรฉ Romero, a Mexican visual artist known for her installations, will have three site-specific works installed in the Nerman Museum lobby, coming together to create A Field with Roots (Un campo con raรญces).
A Field with Roots is comprised of three works: The Soccer Endless Resistance Column (Columna a la resistencia interminable del fรบtbol), The Reflection and the Trace: Around the Globe (El reflejo y la huella: Alrededor del globo), and The Serpentโs Egg (El huevo de la serpiente).
Romeroโs works at the Nerman Museum engage with ideas of mobility, cycles, and the dynamism of cultures throughout history โ a history where migration and cultural blending have enriched humanity, creativity, and expression around the globe. Sport is a vital part of culture, and for Romero, soccer (fรบtbol) specifically represents social fabric and resistance. People may not speak the same language, but they speak fรบtbol, finding identity and refuge through sport wherever they go.
Betsabeรฉ Romero lives and works in Mexico City. For more than 20 years, her work has focused on creating critical discourse about issues like migration and mobility through the re-contextualization of symbols and daily rituals of global consumer culture, such as cars, tattoos, and urban signage.
She has had more than 100 solo exhibitions on five continents, has participated in numerous residencies and international exhibitions, and her work is part of several museum collections around the world.
Betsabeรฉ Romeroโs works in Kansas City, spanning both sides of the state line, are part of a collaboration between the Consulate of Mexico in Kansas City, Belger Arts, the Kansas City Convention Center, Mattie Rhodes, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at Johnson County Community College.
[less-]12-06-2026
Presented by Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Overland Park
Fri, Oct 02 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 03 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 04 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 06 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 07 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 08 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 09 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 10 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 11 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 13 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 14 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 15 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 16 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 17 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 18 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 20 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 21 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 22 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 23 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 24 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 25 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 27 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 28 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 29 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 30 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 31 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 01 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 03 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 04 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 05 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 06 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 07 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 08 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 10 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 11 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 12 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 13 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 14 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 15 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 17 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 18 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 19 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 20 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 21 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 22 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 24 @ 10:00 am Tue, Dec 01 @ 10:00 am Wed, Dec 02 @ 10:00 am Thu, Dec 03 @ 10:00 am Fri, Dec 04 @ 10:00 am Sat, Dec 05 @ 10:00 am Sun, Dec 06 @ 12:00 pm - less dates and times
Carlos Rolรณnโs works operate as memory capsules and as acts of preservation. The works also serve as a meditation on impermanence, survival, and the fragile beauty of the present moment. Rolรณn explores how histories of migration, colonialism,...
[more+]Carlos Rolรณnโs works operate as memory capsules and as acts of preservation. The works also serve as a meditation on impermanence, survival, and the fragile beauty of the present moment. Rolรณn explores how histories of migration, colonialism, environmental devastation, and cultural resilience shape both personal and collective identity. Through sculpture, drawing, painting, and fabric works, Rolรณnโs goal is for the viewer to walk away with a communal experience.
In works incorporating FEMA tarps, repurposed materials, gold leaf, and imagery of Caribbean flora and fauna, Rolรณn transforms remnants of destruction into spaces of reflection and beauty. The phrase ALL WE HAVE IS RIGHT NOW speaks to the urgency embedded within these materials. Hurricane Maria, climate crisis, and ongoing ecological and political instability throughout the Caribbean reinforce the idea that permanence is an illusion. What remains is the present moment: the act of survival, remembrance, creation, and connection. The title also reflects Rolรณnโs interest in devotional and contemplative space. The phrase encourages viewers to pause and become present, to recognize both the vulnerability and sacredness of life. It suggests an emotional tension between loss and gratitude, mourning and transcendence.
ALL WE HAVE IS RIGHT NOW is both a philosophical statement and a form of resistance. It acknowledges uncertainty while affirming the human capacity to create beauty, preserve memory, and find meaning despite instability. Rolรณnโs works remind viewers that the present moment may be fleeting, but it is also where resilience, care, and transformation become possible.
Carlos Rolรณn (b. 1970) is an artist whose multidisciplinary practice spans painting, sculpture, installation, and social engagement. Drawing from a wide range of materials and craft traditions, his work explores themes of ritual, beauty, spirituality, and identity, while examining their relationship to art history and institutional contexts.
Born to a Puerto Rican family in the United States, Rolรณnโs work often reflects personal memory and the visual culture of domestic spaces shaped by migration and aspiration. Ornament, pattern, and materialityโoften associated with craft and decorationโbecome central elements in his exploration of belonging, cultural hybridity, and the formation of identity.
Through paintings, sculptural works, and site-specific installations, Rolรณn creates environments that bridge public and private space, inviting reflection on symbolism, social barriers, and the ways cultivated environments reflect histories of class, migration, and postcolonial experience.
Rolรณnโs work moves between exuberance and contemplation, using material and form to examine the cultural and emotional landscapes embedded within everyday spaces.
[less-]12-06-2026
Presented by Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Overland Park
Fri, Oct 02 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 03 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 04 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 06 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 07 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 08 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 09 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 10 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 11 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 13 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 14 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 15 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 16 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 17 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 18 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 20 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 21 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 22 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 23 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 24 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 25 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 27 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 28 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 29 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 30 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 31 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 01 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 03 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 04 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 05 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 06 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 07 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 08 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 10 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 11 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 12 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 13 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 14 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 15 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 17 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 18 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 19 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 20 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 21 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 22 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 24 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 25 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 26 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 27 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 28 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 29 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Dec 01 @ 10:00 am Wed, Dec 02 @ 10:00 am Thu, Dec 03 @ 10:00 am Fri, Dec 04 @ 10:00 am Sat, Dec 05 @ 10:00 am Sun, Dec 06 @ 12:00 pm - less dates and times
Norman Akers has been mapping the world. His large canvases are filled with an interlayered web of cartographic iconography drawn from road maps, Osage philosophy, and his own visual vernacular. Through these maps, his images have become records...
[more+]Norman Akers has been mapping the world. His large canvases are filled with an interlayered web of cartographic iconography drawn from road maps, Osage philosophy, and his own visual vernacular. Through these maps, his images have become records documenting an introspective journey, navigating spaces between home and away, tracing the temporal shifts of place, and witnessing the ecological politics of who has a right to be and to belong. Until now, Akersโs paintings have been a diary. They are now a herald. His new work is a commentary on the unprecedented, rapid ecological degradation we are all experiencing, a call to arms for us all in this latter stage of the Anthropocene.
The abstractions of place are woven from the constructed map elements, often conflating Osage homelands in the before and since Removal. The elk and the turtle are cultural references to the earth and Turtle Island (North America), respectively. Together they manifest what Akers describes as โan abstraction of the relationship that humans have to the earthโs surface.โ His bold, painterly brushstrokes visualize the speed and aggression with which the decline is happening. There is no time in this space to find an acute focus. Akers calls to us to look. We must look at the land, the disruption of the earth, the exploitation of water, and our own individual roles in this brutalization of our precious earth.
Each canvas has a bisecting horizon line, drawing from cultural notions of balance between earth and sky. Akers uses the horizon line to express an appreciation, an affection, for the earthโs perfection to provide for our very lives. It is within this place, this space that we share, that the metaphoric elk witnesses the rapidly changing destabilization of all that makes our survival possible.
The elk, ever present within Akersโs canvases, stands as an Osage visual mnemonic for the earth, perceived in the humps of its back as the hills of the prairie and the intersecting movement of its antlers that mimic the flow of riverine systems. In these canvases, the elk stands as witness to our desecration of the earthโs surface. He holds court, watching us capitalize the very resources upon which we rely, making them unaffordable for those who need them now and exhausting them for future generations. The elk returns the viewerโs gaze, steadfastly holding us each accountable for our personal actions.
There is no time to look at where the damage started nor to wait for the apocalypse. Akers asks us to look at the space between, โ where we are now โ and to consider to what end our individual choices will benefit and harm as we move forward. Each of us is caught in the same web of being, between the past and the future, held accountable by the elkโs unrelenting gaze.
There is no absolute end to this journey, only the recognition that we are on the journey together, sharing the only life raft with the earth itself. Our survival can be mutual but is not guaranteed.
โheather ahtone, Director, Curatorial Affairs, First Americans Museum, Oklahoma City, OK
Norman Akers earned his Master of Fine Arts in Painting from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL; a certificate in Museum Studies from the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, NM; and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from the Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO.
This project is part of the initiative Home Is Where We Are: Art of First Americans. Spanning institutions across the Great Plains, it marks a coordinated focus on contemporary Indigenous art. Each organization presents a distinct project contributing to a collective that amplifies Indigenous perspectives. Participating institutions include the Chapman Center for Rural Studies; Kansas Studies Institute; Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art; Mid-America All-Indian Museum; Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art; Salina Art Center; Ulrich Museum of Art; and Volland, A Place for Art and Community โ positioning the region as a destination for experiencing the art of First Americans.
[less-]09-29-2026
Presented by Kansas City Symphony at Meadowbrook Park, Prairie Village
Join the Mobile Music Box for this special performance at Meadowbrook Park.
First launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kansas City Symphonyโs Mobile Music Box provides free outdoor chamber music concerts to audiences across the metro. To...
[more+]Join the Mobile Music Box for this special performance at Meadowbrook Park.
First launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kansas City Symphonyโs Mobile Music Box provides free outdoor chamber music concerts to audiences across the metro. To date, Symphony musicians have performed in 258 unique locations, spread over 93 zip codes, reaching tens of thousands of people.
[less-]09-30-2026
Presented by Prairie Village Arts Council at R.G. Endres Gallery, Prairie Village
State of The Arts 2026 is the Prairie Village Arts Council's 20th annual REGIONAL juried competition for all 2D and 3D artworks, photography, and poetry/prose held every Fall. The Exhibition runs during the months of September & October. Why is...
[more+]State of The Arts 2026 is the Prairie Village Arts Council's 20th annual REGIONAL juried competition for all 2D and 3D artworks, photography, and poetry/prose held every Fall. The Exhibition runs during the months of September & October. Why is State of the Arts the biggest exhibition on the Prairie Village Arts Council (PVAC) calendar? Several reasons stand out, including the exhibition's competition aspect. The PVAC receives hundreds of applications each year, guaranteeing a wide range of artistic styles and subject matter, all entered in hopes of winning the $1,000 Best in Show award. The juried competition also selects Merit awards worth $750 each. The turnout for this show is always strong, boosted in part by the chance to vote for the $250 People's Choice award. An important part of State of the Arts' appeal is its diversity, with stunning florals hanging near traditional depictions of Kansas City landmarks, feet away from daring landscapes, incisive portraits, and abstract pieces that provoke images and feelings in the mind of the viewer. The R.G. Endres Gallery, in Prairie Village City Hall, fills every year for this event, and this year's 20th Anniversary edition is likely to be the biggest ever, with ๐ฎ๐, ๐ฏ๐, ๐ฝ๐ต๐ผ๐๐ผ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ต๐, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฒ๐๐ฟ๐/๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ artworks juried in from the area's finest artists. ๐ก๐ฒ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ: 1. the inclusion of photography and poetry/prose 2. a theme: ๐๐๐๐ค๐ก๐ก๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐จ ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ: ๐ฅ๐๐๐ข๐๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก๐ฆ For the first time (or at least in a long while) we have a THEME for State of the Arts. In honor of our 20th Annual State of the Arts, we present the theme of RECOLLECTIONS. ๐ด๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐โฆ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐. โ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐ก๐ค๐๐๐โ๐ก, ๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐ "๐๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ท๐๐๐๐๐ " Selected artists interpreted this theme in their own ways.
[less-]10-01-2026
Presented by Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Overland Park
Join us at the Nerman Museum Thursday, October 1, from 6-7 p.m. for an artist talk for Norman Akers Navigates the Space Between, with a reception to follow. This talk will be moderated by Dr. David Cateforis. This event is free; livestream option...
[more+]Join us at the Nerman Museum Thursday, October 1, from 6-7 p.m. for an artist talk for Norman Akers Navigates the Space Between, with a reception to follow. This talk will be moderated by Dr. David Cateforis. This event is free; livestream option is available. RSVP requested.
Norman Akers earned his Master of Fine Arts in Painting from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL; a certificate in Museum Studies from the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, NM; and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from the Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO.
David Cateforis is professor and chair of the Kress Foundation Department of Art History at the University of Kansas, where he has taught since 1992. He is the author of Modern Art: A Global Survey from the Mid-Nineteenth Century to the Present (Oxford University Press, 2023).
Norman Akers Navigates the Space Between will be on view in the Nerman Museumโs Kansas Focus Gallery, First Floor, through December 6, 2026.
This project is part of the initiative Home Is Where We Are: Art of First Americans. Spanning institutions across the Great Plains, it marks a coordinated focus on contemporary Indigenous art. Each organization presents a distinct project contributing to a collective that amplifies Indigenous perspectives. Participating institutions include the Chapman Center for Rural Studies; Kansas Studies Institute; Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art; Mid-America All-Indian Museum; Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art; Salina Art Center; Ulrich Museum of Art; and Volland, A Place for Art and Community โ positioning the region as a destination for experiencing the art of First Americans.
[less-]10-31-2026
Presented by Merriam Parks & Recreation at Tim Murphy Art Gallery, Merriam
Sun, Oct 04 @ 9:00 am Mon, Oct 05 @ 8:00 am Tue, Oct 06 @ 8:00 am Wed, Oct 07 @ 8:00 am Thu, Oct 08 @ 8:00 am Fri, Oct 09 @ 8:00 am Sat, Oct 10 @ 8:00 am Sun, Oct 11 @ 10:00 am Mon, Oct 12 @ 8:00 am Tue, Oct 13 @ 8:00 am Wed, Oct 14 @ 8:00 am Thu, Oct 15 @ 8:00 am Fri, Oct 16 @ 8:00 am Sat, Oct 17 @ 8:00 am Sun, Oct 18 @ 9:00 am Mon, Oct 19 @ 8:00 am Tue, Oct 20 @ 8:00 am Wed, Oct 21 @ 8:00 am Thu, Oct 22 @ 8:00 am Fri, Oct 23 @ 8:00 am Sat, Oct 24 @ 8:00 am Sun, Oct 25 @ 9:00 am Mon, Oct 26 @ 8:00 am Tue, Oct 27 @ 8:00 am Wed, Oct 28 @ 8:00 am Thu, Oct 29 @ 8:00 am Fri, Oct 30 @ 8:00 am Sat, Oct 31 @ 8:00 am - less dates and times
Join us for the FREE opening night reception on Thursday, October 1 from 7 โ 8:30 pm. Enjoy complimentary appetizers and drinks and view fine art in a beautiful setting.
Join us for the FREE opening night reception on Thursday, October 1 from 7 โ 8:30 pm. Enjoy complimentary appetizers and drinks and view fine art in a beautiful setting.
[less-]10-02-2026
Presented by Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center at Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, Overland Park
Enjoy a special evening with your special someone as you do a one-time workshop exploring clay together. Under the guidance of skilled ceramic artists, you'll learn the basics of shaping, molding, and glazing your own unique pottery pieces....
[more+]Enjoy a special evening with your special someone as you do a one-time workshop exploring clay together. Under the guidance of skilled ceramic artists, you'll learn the basics of shaping, molding, and glazing your own unique pottery pieces. Whether you're crafting matching mugs or creating complementary sculptures, this hands-on experience will deepen your connection as you laugh, learn, and create together.
[less-]12-19-2026
Presented by House of Clay at House of Clay, Overland Park
Sat, Oct 24 @ 6:00 pm Sat, Oct 31 @ 6:00 pm Sat, Nov 07 @ 6:00 pm Sat, Nov 14 @ 6:00 pm Sat, Nov 21 @ 6:00 pm Sat, Nov 28 @ 6:00 pm Sat, Dec 05 @ 6:00 pm Sat, Dec 12 @ 6:00 pm Sat, Dec 19 @ 6:00 pm - less dates and times
Join us Saturday evenings for Pottery & Pinot, a beginner-friendly pottery experience designed for adults (21+). Bring your favorite wine or beverage and enjoy a relaxed, creative evening while our instructors guide you through a different...
[more+]Join us Saturday evenings for Pottery & Pinot, a beginner-friendly pottery experience designed for adults (21+). Bring your favorite wine or beverage and enjoy a relaxed, creative evening while our instructors guide you through a different hand-building project each week. Projects include mugs, planters, vases, wall pockets, and seasonal designs.
No experience is necessary, and we provide all the clay, tools, glazes, and instruction youโll need. At the end of the evening youโll glaze your finished piece, and weโll kiln fire it for pickup approximately two weeks later. Whether youโre planning a date night, celebrating with friends, or simply looking for a creative way to spend your Saturday evening, Pottery & Pinot is a fun and memorable experience.
[less-]10-04-2026
Presented by Kansas City Symphony at Heritage Park, Olathe
Join the Mobile Music Box for this special performance at Heritage Park.
First launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kansas City Symphonyโs Mobile Music Box provides free outdoor chamber music concerts to audiences across the metro. To...
[more+]Join the Mobile Music Box for this special performance at Heritage Park.
First launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kansas City Symphonyโs Mobile Music Box provides free outdoor chamber music concerts to audiences across the metro. To date, Symphony musicians have performed in 258 unique locations, spread over 93 zip codes, reaching tens of thousands of people.
[less-]10-05-2026
Presented by Kansas City Musical Club at Asbury United Methodist Church, Prairie Village
The Kansas City Musical Club will host a concert Monday October 5th at 12pm in the sanctuary of Asbury United Methodist Church 5400 W. 75th St., Prairie Village, KS For information www.KCMusicalClub.org or 913-384-5340
The Kansas City Musical Club will host a concert Monday October 5th at 12pm in the sanctuary of Asbury United Methodist Church 5400 W. 75th St., Prairie Village, KS For information www.KCMusicalClub.org or 913-384-5340
[less-]10-06-2026
Presented by Te Deum at Village Presbyterian Church, Prairie Village
For the first time in Kansas Cityโs history, the Kansas City Chorale and Te Deum join forces to present a monumental work of sacred choral art. The Choraleโs landmark 2007 recording of Passion Week earned its first Grammy Award, bringing...
[more+]For the first time in Kansas Cityโs history, the Kansas City Chorale and Te Deum join forces to present a monumental work of sacred choral art. The Choraleโs landmark 2007 recording of Passion Week earned its first Grammy Award, bringing international recognition to a piece of profound spiritual depth and luminous beauty. In this special collaboration, the combined forces of two of Kansas Cityโs finest ensembles offer a sweeping journey through the Orthodox Holy Week. Gretchaninoffโs score unfolds in richly colored harmonies, moments of hushed reverence, and surges of radiant power, drawing listeners into a powerful and transcendent sound world.
[less-]12-02-2026
Presented by City of Overland Park, Kansas at Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, Overland Park
The Giggle Time Childrenโs Program is a beloved community tradition in Overland Park designed to get toddlers and young children moving, laughing, and learning. The program hosts a diverse rotation of high-energy performers including popular...
[more+]The Giggle Time Childrenโs Program is a beloved community tradition in Overland Park designed to get toddlers and young children moving, laughing, and learning. The program hosts a diverse rotation of high-energy performers including popular regional musicians like Mr. Stinky Feet, the StoneLion Puppet Theatre, and various storytellers and magicians. Each session is built around the "giggle and wiggle" philosophy, encouraging active participation from the kids rather than just passive listening. Because the program is free and requires no pre-registration, it serves as a flexible, low-pressure outing for parents and caregivers. The venue shifts with the seasons to take advantage of the weather: events are typically held indoors at the Tomahawk Ridge Community Center during the cooler months and move outdoors to Roe Park in June and August. Itโs a great way for local families to connect while introducing children to the performing arts in a fun, accessible environment.
ย
Dates and Performers:
Sept. 2 - Richard Renner
Oct. 7 - Mr. Stinky Feet
Nov. 4 - Priscilla Howe
Dec. 2 - StoneLion Puppet Theater
[less-]10-10-2026
Presented by Olathe Public Art Committee at Johnson County Square, Olathe
The 4th Annual Olathe Arts Festival returns to downtown Olathe on October 9-10, 2026, offering a free, two-day celebration of creativity, culture, and community. Attendees can explore and purchase a wide range of exceptional fine art from...
[more+]The 4th Annual Olathe Arts Festival returns to downtown Olathe on October 9-10, 2026, offering a free, two-day celebration of creativity, culture, and community. Attendees can explore and purchase a wide range of exceptional fine art from talented artists across the region, enjoy live performances, and savor delicious local food and drinks. Curated shopping opportunities and engaging family-friendly activities make this festival a vibrant experience for all ages.
Families will love Kidtopia, a special area where children can get hands-on with art projects and interactive activities. With the lively fall atmosphere of downtown Olathe as the backdrop, the festival invites visitors to connect with artists, discover unique creations, and celebrate the arts in a fun and welcoming environment. Whether youโre a longtime art enthusiast or just looking for a weekend outing, thereโs something for everyone to enjoy.
[less-]12-12-2026
Presented by Lenexa Parks & Recreation at Lenexa City Hall, Lenexa
Experience unforgettable evening of music and theater close to home. This free performing arts series brings acclaimed local performers to Lenexa City Hall October to March.
2026 performances include:
Oct. 10: War of the Worlds: The 1938 Radio...
[more+]Experience unforgettable evening of music and theater close to home. This free performing arts series brings acclaimed local performers to Lenexa City Hall October to March.
2026 performances include:
Oct. 10: War of the Worlds: The 1938 Radio Script - A live radio play of the chilling Martian invasion that once shocked the nation
Nov. 14: Fountain City String Quartet - Classical precision with contemporary flair
Dec. 12: Mandolin Orchestra of Kansas City - Featuring a blend of mandolins, mandolas, guitars and bass
Coordinated by the Lenexa Arts Council and Lenexa Parks & Recreation.
[less-]10-11-2026
Presented by Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College at Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College, Overland Park
From the producers ofย โThe Simon and Garfunkel Storyโย andย โThe Life and Music of George Michaelโย comes a dynamic celebration of the legendary singer-songwriter's greatest hits, and the story of the man behind the melodies.
This...
[more+]From the producers ofย โThe Simon and Garfunkel Storyโย andย โThe Life and Music of George Michaelโย comes a dynamic celebration of the legendary singer-songwriter's greatest hits, and the story of the man behind the melodies.
This concert experience takes you on a journey through Billy Joelโs legendary career, from his humble beginnings to becoming one of the greatest songwriters and performers of all time.ย ย Through faithful recreation of the original music, stunning visuals, and compelling storytelling,ย youโllย discover how his music has shaped generations and why his legacy endures.
[less-]10-14-2026
Presented by Prairie Village Arts Council at Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, Prairie Village
Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse Artists Reception and Poetry Reading Recollections is a collaborative poetry and printmaking exhibit with Kansas Poet Laureate Traci Brimhall and printmaker and graphic designer Lori Stanziola.
๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ...
[more+]Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse Artists Reception and Poetry Reading Recollections is a collaborative poetry and printmaking exhibit with Kansas Poet Laureate Traci Brimhall and printmaker and graphic designer Lori Stanziola.
๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ผ๐น๐ฎ
Lori Stanziola (she/her) is a Kansas City based artist specializing in fine art printmaking. Drawing on her experience as a designer, Lori revels in the use of graphic shapes and patterns to create richly layered works from hand carved blocks. Her work depicts patterns, contrasts and rhythms present in land, flora and food that serve to evoke emotions and shared experiences. Lori was the featured artist for Lawrence Art in the Park in 2021, was chosen as the featured print artist for Smoky Hill River Fest in 2024, and her work/booth was awarded Best in Show at the 2026 Prairie Village Art Show.
๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐บ๐ต๐ฎ๐น๐น
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 and the current poet laureate of Kansas, where her initiatives have centered on uniting the stateโs agricultural roots with the literary arts. 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.
11-13-2026
Presented by Prairie Village Arts Council at R.G. Endres Gallery, Prairie Village
Fri, Oct 02 @ 8:00 am Mon, Oct 05 @ 8:00 am Tue, Oct 06 @ 8:00 am Wed, Oct 07 @ 8:00 am Thu, Oct 08 @ 8:00 am Fri, Oct 09 @ 8:00 am Mon, Oct 12 @ 8:00 am Tue, Oct 13 @ 8:00 am Wed, Oct 14 @ 8:00 am Thu, Oct 15 @ 8:00 am Fri, Oct 16 @ 8:00 am Mon, Oct 19 @ 8:00 am Tue, Oct 20 @ 8:00 am Wed, Oct 21 @ 8:00 am Thu, Oct 22 @ 8:00 am Fri, Oct 23 @ 8:00 am Mon, Oct 26 @ 8:00 am Tue, Oct 27 @ 8:00 am Wed, Oct 28 @ 8:00 am Thu, Oct 29 @ 8:00 am Fri, Oct 30 @ 8:00 am Mon, Nov 02 @ 8:00 am Tue, Nov 03 @ 8:00 am Wed, Nov 04 @ 8:00 am Thu, Nov 05 @ 8:00 am Fri, Nov 06 @ 8:00 am Mon, Nov 09 @ 8:00 am Tue, Nov 10 @ 8:00 am Wed, Nov 11 @ 8:00 am Thu, Nov 12 @ 8:00 am Fri, Nov 13 @ 8:00 am - less dates and times
State of The Arts 2026 is the Prairie Village Arts Council's 20th annual REGIONAL juried competition for all 2D and 3D artworks, photography, and poetry/prose held every Fall. The Exhibition runs during the months of September & October. Why is...
[more+]State of The Arts 2026 is the Prairie Village Arts Council's 20th annual REGIONAL juried competition for all 2D and 3D artworks, photography, and poetry/prose held every Fall. The Exhibition runs during the months of September & October. Why is State of the Arts the biggest exhibition on the Prairie Village Arts Council (PVAC) calendar? Several reasons stand out, including the exhibition's competition aspect. The PVAC receives hundreds of applications each year, guaranteeing a wide range of artistic styles and subject matter, all entered in hopes of winning the $1,000 Best in Show award. The juried competition also selects Merit awards worth $750 each. The turnout for this show is always strong, boosted in part by the chance to vote for the $250 People's Choice award. An important part of State of the Arts' appeal is its diversity, with stunning florals hanging near traditional depictions of Kansas City landmarks, feet away from daring landscapes, incisive portraits, and abstract pieces that provoke images and feelings in the mind of the viewer. The R.G. Endres Gallery, in Prairie Village City Hall, fills every year for this event, and this year's 20th Anniversary edition is likely to be the biggest ever, with ๐ฎ๐, ๐ฏ๐, ๐ฝ๐ต๐ผ๐๐ผ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ต๐, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฒ๐๐ฟ๐/๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ artworks juried in from the area's finest artists. ๐ก๐ฒ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ: 1. the inclusion of photography and poetry/prose 2. a theme: ๐๐๐๐ค๐ก๐ก๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐จ ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ: ๐ฅ๐๐๐ข๐๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก๐ฆ For the first time (or at least in a long while) we have a THEME for State of the Arts. In honor of our 20th Annual State of the Arts, we present the theme of RECOLLECTIONS. ๐ด๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐โฆ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐. โ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐ก๐ค๐๐๐โ๐ก, ๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐ "๐๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ท๐๐๐๐๐ " Selected artists interpreted this theme in their own ways.
[less-]12-05-2026
Presented by Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center at Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, Overland Park
Fri, Oct 02 @ 9:00 am Sat, Oct 03 @ 9:00 am Mon, Oct 05 @ 9:00 am Tue, Oct 06 @ 9:00 am Wed, Oct 07 @ 9:00 am Thu, Oct 08 @ 9:00 am Fri, Oct 09 @ 9:00 am Sat, Oct 10 @ 9:00 am Mon, Oct 12 @ 9:00 am Tue, Oct 13 @ 9:00 am Wed, Oct 14 @ 9:00 am Thu, Oct 15 @ 9:00 am Fri, Oct 16 @ 9:00 am Sat, Oct 17 @ 9:00 am Mon, Oct 19 @ 9:00 am Tue, Oct 20 @ 9:00 am Wed, Oct 21 @ 9:00 am Thu, Oct 22 @ 9:00 am Fri, Oct 23 @ 9:00 am Sat, Oct 24 @ 9:00 am Mon, Oct 26 @ 9:00 am Tue, Oct 27 @ 9:00 am Wed, Oct 28 @ 9:00 am Thu, Oct 29 @ 9:00 am Fri, Oct 30 @ 9:00 am Sat, Oct 31 @ 9:00 am Mon, Nov 02 @ 9:00 am Tue, Nov 03 @ 9:00 am Wed, Nov 04 @ 9:00 am Thu, Nov 05 @ 9:00 am Fri, Nov 06 @ 9:00 am Sat, Nov 07 @ 9:00 am Mon, Nov 09 @ 9:00 am Tue, Nov 10 @ 9:00 am Wed, Nov 11 @ 9:00 am Thu, Nov 12 @ 9:00 am Fri, Nov 13 @ 9:00 am Sat, Nov 14 @ 9:00 am Mon, Nov 16 @ 9:00 am Tue, Nov 17 @ 9:00 am Wed, Nov 18 @ 9:00 am Thu, Nov 19 @ 9:00 am Fri, Nov 20 @ 9:00 am Sat, Nov 21 @ 9:00 am Mon, Nov 23 @ 9:00 am Tue, Nov 24 @ 9:00 am Wed, Nov 25 @ 9:00 am Thu, Nov 26 @ 9:00 am Fri, Nov 27 @ 9:00 am Sat, Nov 28 @ 9:00 am Mon, Nov 30 @ 9:00 am Tue, Dec 01 @ 9:00 am Wed, Dec 02 @ 9:00 am Thu, Dec 03 @ 9:00 am Fri, Dec 04 @ 9:00 am Sat, Dec 05 @ 9:00 am - less dates and times
All 112 of Rebecca Beese's watercolor bird portraits are on display, telling the story of population decline within North American birds. This exhibit is at the Johnson County Art & Heritage Center Aug 29-Dec 5, 2026. M-F 9am-5pm.
All 112 of Rebecca Beese's watercolor bird portraits are on display, telling the story of population decline within North American birds. This exhibit is at the Johnson County Art & Heritage Center Aug 29-Dec 5, 2026. M-F 9am-5pm.
[less-]11-13-2026
Presented by Prairie Village Arts Council at Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, Prairie Village
Fri, Oct 02 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 03 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 04 @ 10:00 am Mon, Oct 05 @ 10:00 am Tue, Oct 06 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 07 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 08 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 09 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 10 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 11 @ 10:00 am Mon, Oct 12 @ 10:00 am Tue, Oct 13 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 14 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 15 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 16 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 17 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 18 @ 10:00 am Mon, Oct 19 @ 10:00 am Tue, Oct 20 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 21 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 22 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 23 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 24 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 25 @ 10:00 am Mon, Oct 26 @ 10:00 am Tue, Oct 27 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 28 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 29 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 30 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 31 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 01 @ 10:00 am Mon, Nov 02 @ 10:00 am Tue, Nov 03 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 04 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 05 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 06 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 07 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 08 @ 10:00 am Mon, Nov 09 @ 10:00 am Tue, Nov 10 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 11 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 12 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 13 @ 10:00 am - less dates and times
"Our minds are tireless editors. According to neuroscientists, each time we touch our memories, we change them. When we recollect, we rewrite. Certainly with art we shape and reshape our the story of our memories. And yet, even knowing we canโt...
[more+]"Our minds are tireless editors. According to neuroscientists, each time we touch our memories, we change them. When we recollect, we rewrite. Certainly with art we shape and reshape our the story of our memories. And yet, even knowing we canโt quite render them precisely, we canโt stop trying to nearly capture the ineffable moments of our life."
~Traci Brimhall
Recollections is a collaborative poetry and printmaking exhibit with Kansas Poet Laureate Traci Brimhall and printmaker and graphic designer Lori Stanziola.
๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ผ๐น๐ฎ
Lori Stanziola (she/her) is a Kansas City based artist specializing in fine art printmaking. Drawing on her experience as a designer, Lori revels in the use of graphic shapes and patterns to create richly layered works from hand carved blocks. Her work depicts patterns, contrasts and rhythms present in land, flora and food that serve to evoke emotions and shared experiences. Lori was the featured artist for Lawrence Art in the Park in 2021, was chosen as the featured print artist for Smoky Hill River Fest in 2024, and her work/booth was awarded Best in Show at the 2026 Prairie Village Art Show.
๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐บ๐ต๐ฎ๐น๐น
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 and the current poet laureate of Kansas, where her initiatives have centered on uniting the stateโs agricultural roots with the literary arts. 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.
12-06-2026
Presented by Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Overland Park
Fri, Oct 02 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 03 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 04 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 06 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 07 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 08 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 09 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 10 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 11 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 13 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 14 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 15 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 16 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 17 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 18 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 20 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 21 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 22 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 23 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 24 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 25 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 27 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 28 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 29 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 30 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 31 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 01 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 03 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 04 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 05 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 06 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 07 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 08 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 10 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 11 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 12 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 13 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 14 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 15 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 17 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 18 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 19 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 20 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 21 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 22 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 24 @ 10:00 am Tue, Dec 01 @ 10:00 am Wed, Dec 02 @ 10:00 am Thu, Dec 03 @ 10:00 am Fri, Dec 04 @ 10:00 am Sat, Dec 05 @ 10:00 am Sun, Dec 06 @ 12:00 pm - less dates and times
Sport and Spectator celebrates the dynamic intersection of the visual arts and sports culture, presenting an array of works that transform sports imagery and equipment such as basketballs, helmets, and jerseys into artworks. The exhibition...
[more+]Sport and Spectator celebrates the dynamic intersection of the visual arts and sports culture, presenting an array of works that transform sports imagery and equipment such as basketballs, helmets, and jerseys into artworks. The exhibition invites viewers to consider how sports shape our society, from their impact on the individual to their broader cultural influences.
Sport and Spectator features works by Brandon J. Donahue-Shipp, Jeffrey Gibson, Raul Rene Gonzalez, Sophie Inard, Brian Jungen, Justin Korver, Betsy Odom, Esmaa Mohamoud, Hank Willis Thomas and Tyrrell Winston. Now at the Nerman Museum, this exhibition is expanded further to include additional artworks from local, national, and international collections and artists, including works by Felipe Barbosa, Sandow Birk, Zoe Buckman, Rob Carter, Benjamin Degen, Awol Erizku, Archie Scott Gobber, Hugh Hayden, Samuel Levi Jones, Esteban Ramรณn Pรฉrez, and Jake Troyli.
This exhibition, originally on view at the McNay Art Museum, was organized by Renรฉ Paul Barilleaux, Head of Curatorial Affairs; and Lauren Thompson, Curator of Exhibitions.
[less-]12-06-2026
Presented by Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Overland Park
Fri, Oct 02 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 03 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 04 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 06 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 07 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 08 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 09 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 10 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 11 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 13 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 14 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 15 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 16 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 17 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 18 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 20 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 21 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 22 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 23 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 24 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 25 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 27 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 28 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 29 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 30 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 31 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 01 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 03 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 04 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 05 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 06 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 07 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 08 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 10 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 11 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 12 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 13 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 14 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 15 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 17 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 18 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 19 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 20 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 21 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 22 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 24 @ 10:00 am Tue, Dec 01 @ 10:00 am Wed, Dec 02 @ 10:00 am Thu, Dec 03 @ 10:00 am Fri, Dec 04 @ 10:00 am Sat, Dec 05 @ 10:00 am Sun, Dec 06 @ 12:00 pm - less dates and times
Betsabeรฉ Romero, a Mexican visual artist known for her installations, will have three site-specific works installed in the Nerman Museum lobby, coming together to create A Field with Roots (Un campo con raรญces).
A Field with Roots is comprised...
[more+]Betsabeรฉ Romero, a Mexican visual artist known for her installations, will have three site-specific works installed in the Nerman Museum lobby, coming together to create A Field with Roots (Un campo con raรญces).
A Field with Roots is comprised of three works: The Soccer Endless Resistance Column (Columna a la resistencia interminable del fรบtbol), The Reflection and the Trace: Around the Globe (El reflejo y la huella: Alrededor del globo), and The Serpentโs Egg (El huevo de la serpiente).
Romeroโs works at the Nerman Museum engage with ideas of mobility, cycles, and the dynamism of cultures throughout history โ a history where migration and cultural blending have enriched humanity, creativity, and expression around the globe. Sport is a vital part of culture, and for Romero, soccer (fรบtbol) specifically represents social fabric and resistance. People may not speak the same language, but they speak fรบtbol, finding identity and refuge through sport wherever they go.
Betsabeรฉ Romero lives and works in Mexico City. For more than 20 years, her work has focused on creating critical discourse about issues like migration and mobility through the re-contextualization of symbols and daily rituals of global consumer culture, such as cars, tattoos, and urban signage.
She has had more than 100 solo exhibitions on five continents, has participated in numerous residencies and international exhibitions, and her work is part of several museum collections around the world.
Betsabeรฉ Romeroโs works in Kansas City, spanning both sides of the state line, are part of a collaboration between the Consulate of Mexico in Kansas City, Belger Arts, the Kansas City Convention Center, Mattie Rhodes, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at Johnson County Community College.
[less-]12-06-2026
Presented by Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Overland Park
Fri, Oct 02 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 03 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 04 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 06 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 07 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 08 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 09 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 10 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 11 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 13 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 14 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 15 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 16 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 17 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 18 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 20 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 21 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 22 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 23 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 24 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 25 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 27 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 28 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 29 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 30 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 31 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 01 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 03 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 04 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 05 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 06 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 07 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 08 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 10 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 11 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 12 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 13 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 14 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 15 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 17 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 18 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 19 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 20 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 21 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 22 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 24 @ 10:00 am Tue, Dec 01 @ 10:00 am Wed, Dec 02 @ 10:00 am Thu, Dec 03 @ 10:00 am Fri, Dec 04 @ 10:00 am Sat, Dec 05 @ 10:00 am Sun, Dec 06 @ 12:00 pm - less dates and times
Carlos Rolรณnโs works operate as memory capsules and as acts of preservation. The works also serve as a meditation on impermanence, survival, and the fragile beauty of the present moment. Rolรณn explores how histories of migration, colonialism,...
[more+]Carlos Rolรณnโs works operate as memory capsules and as acts of preservation. The works also serve as a meditation on impermanence, survival, and the fragile beauty of the present moment. Rolรณn explores how histories of migration, colonialism, environmental devastation, and cultural resilience shape both personal and collective identity. Through sculpture, drawing, painting, and fabric works, Rolรณnโs goal is for the viewer to walk away with a communal experience.
In works incorporating FEMA tarps, repurposed materials, gold leaf, and imagery of Caribbean flora and fauna, Rolรณn transforms remnants of destruction into spaces of reflection and beauty. The phrase ALL WE HAVE IS RIGHT NOW speaks to the urgency embedded within these materials. Hurricane Maria, climate crisis, and ongoing ecological and political instability throughout the Caribbean reinforce the idea that permanence is an illusion. What remains is the present moment: the act of survival, remembrance, creation, and connection. The title also reflects Rolรณnโs interest in devotional and contemplative space. The phrase encourages viewers to pause and become present, to recognize both the vulnerability and sacredness of life. It suggests an emotional tension between loss and gratitude, mourning and transcendence.
ALL WE HAVE IS RIGHT NOW is both a philosophical statement and a form of resistance. It acknowledges uncertainty while affirming the human capacity to create beauty, preserve memory, and find meaning despite instability. Rolรณnโs works remind viewers that the present moment may be fleeting, but it is also where resilience, care, and transformation become possible.
Carlos Rolรณn (b. 1970) is an artist whose multidisciplinary practice spans painting, sculpture, installation, and social engagement. Drawing from a wide range of materials and craft traditions, his work explores themes of ritual, beauty, spirituality, and identity, while examining their relationship to art history and institutional contexts.
Born to a Puerto Rican family in the United States, Rolรณnโs work often reflects personal memory and the visual culture of domestic spaces shaped by migration and aspiration. Ornament, pattern, and materialityโoften associated with craft and decorationโbecome central elements in his exploration of belonging, cultural hybridity, and the formation of identity.
Through paintings, sculptural works, and site-specific installations, Rolรณn creates environments that bridge public and private space, inviting reflection on symbolism, social barriers, and the ways cultivated environments reflect histories of class, migration, and postcolonial experience.
Rolรณnโs work moves between exuberance and contemplation, using material and form to examine the cultural and emotional landscapes embedded within everyday spaces.
[less-]12-06-2026
Presented by Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Overland Park
Fri, Oct 02 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 03 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 04 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 06 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 07 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 08 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 09 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 10 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 11 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 13 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 14 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 15 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 16 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 17 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 18 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 20 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 21 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 22 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 23 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 24 @ 10:00 am Sun, Oct 25 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Oct 27 @ 10:00 am Wed, Oct 28 @ 10:00 am Thu, Oct 29 @ 10:00 am Fri, Oct 30 @ 10:00 am Sat, Oct 31 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 01 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 03 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 04 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 05 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 06 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 07 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 08 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 10 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 11 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 12 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 13 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 14 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 15 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 17 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 18 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 19 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 20 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 21 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 22 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Nov 24 @ 10:00 am Wed, Nov 25 @ 10:00 am Thu, Nov 26 @ 10:00 am Fri, Nov 27 @ 10:00 am Sat, Nov 28 @ 10:00 am Sun, Nov 29 @ 12:00 pm Tue, Dec 01 @ 10:00 am Wed, Dec 02 @ 10:00 am Thu, Dec 03 @ 10:00 am Fri, Dec 04 @ 10:00 am Sat, Dec 05 @ 10:00 am Sun, Dec 06 @ 12:00 pm - less dates and times
Norman Akers has been mapping the world. His large canvases are filled with an interlayered web of cartographic iconography drawn from road maps, Osage philosophy, and his own visual vernacular. Through these maps, his images have become records...
[more+]Norman Akers has been mapping the world. His large canvases are filled with an interlayered web of cartographic iconography drawn from road maps, Osage philosophy, and his own visual vernacular. Through these maps, his images have become records documenting an introspective journey, navigating spaces between home and away, tracing the temporal shifts of place, and witnessing the ecological politics of who has a right to be and to belong. Until now, Akersโs paintings have been a diary. They are now a herald. His new work is a commentary on the unprecedented, rapid ecological degradation we are all experiencing, a call to arms for us all in this latter stage of the Anthropocene.
The abstractions of place are woven from the constructed map elements, often conflating Osage homelands in the before and since Removal. The elk and the turtle are cultural references to the earth and Turtle Island (North America), respectively. Together they manifest what Akers describes as โan abstraction of the relationship that humans have to the earthโs surface.โ His bold, painterly brushstrokes visualize the speed and aggression with which the decline is happening. There is no time in this space to find an acute focus. Akers calls to us to look. We must look at the land, the disruption of the earth, the exploitation of water, and our own individual roles in this brutalization of our precious earth.
Each canvas has a bisecting horizon line, drawing from cultural notions of balance between earth and sky. Akers uses the horizon line to express an appreciation, an affection, for the earthโs perfection to provide for our very lives. It is within this place, this space that we share, that the metaphoric elk witnesses the rapidly changing destabilization of all that makes our survival possible.
The elk, ever present within Akersโs canvases, stands as an Osage visual mnemonic for the earth, perceived in the humps of its back as the hills of the prairie and the intersecting movement of its antlers that mimic the flow of riverine systems. In these canvases, the elk stands as witness to our desecration of the earthโs surface. He holds court, watching us capitalize the very resources upon which we rely, making them unaffordable for those who need them now and exhausting them for future generations. The elk returns the viewerโs gaze, steadfastly holding us each accountable for our personal actions.
There is no time to look at where the damage started nor to wait for the apocalypse. Akers asks us to look at the space between, โ where we are now โ and to consider to what end our individual choices will benefit and harm as we move forward. Each of us is caught in the same web of being, between the past and the future, held accountable by the elkโs unrelenting gaze.
There is no absolute end to this journey, only the recognition that we are on the journey together, sharing the only life raft with the earth itself. Our survival can be mutual but is not guaranteed.
โheather ahtone, Director, Curatorial Affairs, First Americans Museum, Oklahoma City, OK
Norman Akers earned his Master of Fine Arts in Painting from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL; a certificate in Museum Studies from the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, NM; and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from the Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO.
This project is part of the initiative Home Is Where We Are: Art of First Americans. Spanning institutions across the Great Plains, it marks a coordinated focus on contemporary Indigenous art. Each organization presents a distinct project contributing to a collective that amplifies Indigenous perspectives. Participating institutions include the Chapman Center for Rural Studies; Kansas Studies Institute; Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art; Mid-America All-Indian Museum; Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art; Salina Art Center; Ulrich Museum of Art; and Volland, A Place for Art and Community โ positioning the region as a destination for experiencing the art of First Americans.
[less-]09-29-2026
Presented by Kansas City Symphony at Meadowbrook Park, Prairie Village
Join the Mobile Music Box for this special performance at Meadowbrook Park.
First launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kansas City Symphonyโs Mobile Music Box provides free outdoor chamber music concerts to audiences across the metro. To...
[more+]Join the Mobile Music Box for this special performance at Meadowbrook Park.
First launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kansas City Symphonyโs Mobile Music Box provides free outdoor chamber music concerts to audiences across the metro. To date, Symphony musicians have performed in 258 unique locations, spread over 93 zip codes, reaching tens of thousands of people.
[less-]09-30-2026
Presented by Prairie Village Arts Council at R.G. Endres Gallery, Prairie Village
State of The Arts 2026 is the Prairie Village Arts Council's 20th annual REGIONAL juried competition for all 2D and 3D artworks, photography, and poetry/prose held every Fall. The Exhibition runs during the months of September & October. Why is...
[more+]State of The Arts 2026 is the Prairie Village Arts Council's 20th annual REGIONAL juried competition for all 2D and 3D artworks, photography, and poetry/prose held every Fall. The Exhibition runs during the months of September & October. Why is State of the Arts the biggest exhibition on the Prairie Village Arts Council (PVAC) calendar? Several reasons stand out, including the exhibition's competition aspect. The PVAC receives hundreds of applications each year, guaranteeing a wide range of artistic styles and subject matter, all entered in hopes of winning the $1,000 Best in Show award. The juried competition also selects Merit awards worth $750 each. The turnout for this show is always strong, boosted in part by the chance to vote for the $250 People's Choice award. An important part of State of the Arts' appeal is its diversity, with stunning florals hanging near traditional depictions of Kansas City landmarks, feet away from daring landscapes, incisive portraits, and abstract pieces that provoke images and feelings in the mind of the viewer. The R.G. Endres Gallery, in Prairie Village City Hall, fills every year for this event, and this year's 20th Anniversary edition is likely to be the biggest ever, with ๐ฎ๐, ๐ฏ๐, ๐ฝ๐ต๐ผ๐๐ผ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ต๐, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฒ๐๐ฟ๐/๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ artworks juried in from the area's finest artists. ๐ก๐ฒ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ: 1. the inclusion of photography and poetry/prose 2. a theme: ๐๐๐๐ค๐ก๐ก๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐จ ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ: ๐ฅ๐๐๐ข๐๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก๐ฆ For the first time (or at least in a long while) we have a THEME for State of the Arts. In honor of our 20th Annual State of the Arts, we present the theme of RECOLLECTIONS. ๐ด๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐โฆ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐. โ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐ก๐ค๐๐๐โ๐ก, ๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐ "๐๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ท๐๐๐๐๐ " Selected artists interpreted this theme in their own ways.
[less-]10-01-2026
Presented by Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Overland Park
Join us at the Nerman Museum Thursday, October 1, from 6-7 p.m. for an artist talk for Norman Akers Navigates the Space Between, with a reception to follow. This talk will be moderated by Dr. David Cateforis. This event is free; livestream option...
[more+]Join us at the Nerman Museum Thursday, October 1, from 6-7 p.m. for an artist talk for Norman Akers Navigates the Space Between, with a reception to follow. This talk will be moderated by Dr. David Cateforis. This event is free; livestream option is available. RSVP requested.
Norman Akers earned his Master of Fine Arts in Painting from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL; a certificate in Museum Studies from the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, NM; and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from the Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO.
David Cateforis is professor and chair of the Kress Foundation Department of Art History at the University of Kansas, where he has taught since 1992. He is the author of Modern Art: A Global Survey from the Mid-Nineteenth Century to the Present (Oxford University Press, 2023).
Norman Akers Navigates the Space Between will be on view in the Nerman Museumโs Kansas Focus Gallery, First Floor, through December 6, 2026.
This project is part of the initiative Home Is Where We Are: Art of First Americans. Spanning institutions across the Great Plains, it marks a coordinated focus on contemporary Indigenous art. Each organization presents a distinct project contributing to a collective that amplifies Indigenous perspectives. Participating institutions include the Chapman Center for Rural Studies; Kansas Studies Institute; Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art; Mid-America All-Indian Museum; Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art; Salina Art Center; Ulrich Museum of Art; and Volland, A Place for Art and Community โ positioning the region as a destination for experiencing the art of First Americans.
[less-]10-31-2026
Presented by Merriam Parks & Recreation at Tim Murphy Art Gallery, Merriam
Sun, Oct 04 @ 9:00 am Mon, Oct 05 @ 8:00 am Tue, Oct 06 @ 8:00 am Wed, Oct 07 @ 8:00 am Thu, Oct 08 @ 8:00 am Fri, Oct 09 @ 8:00 am Sat, Oct 10 @ 8:00 am Sun, Oct 11 @ 10:00 am Mon, Oct 12 @ 8:00 am Tue, Oct 13 @ 8:00 am Wed, Oct 14 @ 8:00 am Thu, Oct 15 @ 8:00 am Fri, Oct 16 @ 8:00 am Sat, Oct 17 @ 8:00 am Sun, Oct 18 @ 9:00 am Mon, Oct 19 @ 8:00 am Tue, Oct 20 @ 8:00 am Wed, Oct 21 @ 8:00 am Thu, Oct 22 @ 8:00 am Fri, Oct 23 @ 8:00 am Sat, Oct 24 @ 8:00 am Sun, Oct 25 @ 9:00 am Mon, Oct 26 @ 8:00 am Tue, Oct 27 @ 8:00 am Wed, Oct 28 @ 8:00 am Thu, Oct 29 @ 8:00 am Fri, Oct 30 @ 8:00 am Sat, Oct 31 @ 8:00 am - less dates and times
Join us for the FREE opening night reception on Thursday, October 1 from 7 โ 8:30 pm. Enjoy complimentary appetizers and drinks and view fine art in a beautiful setting.
Join us for the FREE opening night reception on Thursday, October 1 from 7 โ 8:30 pm. Enjoy complimentary appetizers and drinks and view fine art in a beautiful setting.
[less-]10-02-2026
Presented by Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center at Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, Overland Park
Enjoy a special evening with your special someone as you do a one-time workshop exploring clay together. Under the guidance of skilled ceramic artists, you'll learn the basics of shaping, molding, and glazing your own unique pottery pieces....
[more+]Enjoy a special evening with your special someone as you do a one-time workshop exploring clay together. Under the guidance of skilled ceramic artists, you'll learn the basics of shaping, molding, and glazing your own unique pottery pieces. Whether you're crafting matching mugs or creating complementary sculptures, this hands-on experience will deepen your connection as you laugh, learn, and create together.
[less-]12-19-2026
Presented by House of Clay at House of Clay, Overland Park
Sat, Oct 24 @ 6:00 pm Sat, Oct 31 @ 6:00 pm Sat, Nov 07 @ 6:00 pm Sat, Nov 14 @ 6:00 pm Sat, Nov 21 @ 6:00 pm Sat, Nov 28 @ 6:00 pm Sat, Dec 05 @ 6:00 pm Sat, Dec 12 @ 6:00 pm Sat, Dec 19 @ 6:00 pm - less dates and times
Join us Saturday evenings for Pottery & Pinot, a beginner-friendly pottery experience designed for adults (21+). Bring your favorite wine or beverage and enjoy a relaxed, creative evening while our instructors guide you through a different...
[more+]Join us Saturday evenings for Pottery & Pinot, a beginner-friendly pottery experience designed for adults (21+). Bring your favorite wine or beverage and enjoy a relaxed, creative evening while our instructors guide you through a different hand-building project each week. Projects include mugs, planters, vases, wall pockets, and seasonal designs.
No experience is necessary, and we provide all the clay, tools, glazes, and instruction youโll need. At the end of the evening youโll glaze your finished piece, and weโll kiln fire it for pickup approximately two weeks later. Whether youโre planning a date night, celebrating with friends, or simply looking for a creative way to spend your Saturday evening, Pottery & Pinot is a fun and memorable experience.
[less-]10-04-2026
Presented by Kansas City Symphony at Heritage Park, Olathe
Join the Mobile Music Box for this special performance at Heritage Park.
First launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kansas City Symphonyโs Mobile Music Box provides free outdoor chamber music concerts to audiences across the metro. To...
[more+]Join the Mobile Music Box for this special performance at Heritage Park.
First launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kansas City Symphonyโs Mobile Music Box provides free outdoor chamber music concerts to audiences across the metro. To date, Symphony musicians have performed in 258 unique locations, spread over 93 zip codes, reaching tens of thousands of people.
[less-]10-05-2026
Presented by Kansas City Musical Club at Asbury United Methodist Church, Prairie Village
The Kansas City Musical Club will host a concert Monday October 5th at 12pm in the sanctuary of Asbury United Methodist Church 5400 W. 75th St., Prairie Village, KS For information www.KCMusicalClub.org or 913-384-5340
The Kansas City Musical Club will host a concert Monday October 5th at 12pm in the sanctuary of Asbury United Methodist Church 5400 W. 75th St., Prairie Village, KS For information www.KCMusicalClub.org or 913-384-5340
[less-]10-06-2026
Presented by Te Deum at Village Presbyterian Church, Prairie Village
For the first time in Kansas Cityโs history, the Kansas City Chorale and Te Deum join forces to present a monumental work of sacred choral art. The Choraleโs landmark 2007 recording of Passion Week earned its first Grammy Award, bringing...
[more+]For the first time in Kansas Cityโs history, the Kansas City Chorale and Te Deum join forces to present a monumental work of sacred choral art. The Choraleโs landmark 2007 recording of Passion Week earned its first Grammy Award, bringing international recognition to a piece of profound spiritual depth and luminous beauty. In this special collaboration, the combined forces of two of Kansas Cityโs finest ensembles offer a sweeping journey through the Orthodox Holy Week. Gretchaninoffโs score unfolds in richly colored harmonies, moments of hushed reverence, and surges of radiant power, drawing listeners into a powerful and transcendent sound world.
[less-]12-02-2026
Presented by City of Overland Park, Kansas at Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, Overland Park
The Giggle Time Childrenโs Program is a beloved community tradition in Overland Park designed to get toddlers and young children moving, laughing, and learning. The program hosts a diverse rotation of high-energy performers including popular...
[more+]The Giggle Time Childrenโs Program is a beloved community tradition in Overland Park designed to get toddlers and young children moving, laughing, and learning. The program hosts a diverse rotation of high-energy performers including popular regional musicians like Mr. Stinky Feet, the StoneLion Puppet Theatre, and various storytellers and magicians. Each session is built around the "giggle and wiggle" philosophy, encouraging active participation from the kids rather than just passive listening. Because the program is free and requires no pre-registration, it serves as a flexible, low-pressure outing for parents and caregivers. The venue shifts with the seasons to take advantage of the weather: events are typically held indoors at the Tomahawk Ridge Community Center during the cooler months and move outdoors to Roe Park in June and August. Itโs a great way for local families to connect while introducing children to the performing arts in a fun, accessible environment.
ย
Dates and Performers:
Sept. 2 - Richard Renner
Oct. 7 - Mr. Stinky Feet
Nov. 4 - Priscilla Howe
Dec. 2 - StoneLion Puppet Theater
[less-]10-10-2026
Presented by Olathe Public Art Committee at Johnson County Square, Olathe
The 4th Annual Olathe Arts Festival returns to downtown Olathe on October 9-10, 2026, offering a free, two-day celebration of creativity, culture, and community. Attendees can explore and purchase a wide range of exceptional fine art from...
[more+]The 4th Annual Olathe Arts Festival returns to downtown Olathe on October 9-10, 2026, offering a free, two-day celebration of creativity, culture, and community. Attendees can explore and purchase a wide range of exceptional fine art from talented artists across the region, enjoy live performances, and savor delicious local food and drinks. Curated shopping opportunities and engaging family-friendly activities make this festival a vibrant experience for all ages.
Families will love Kidtopia, a special area where children can get hands-on with art projects and interactive activities. With the lively fall atmosphere of downtown Olathe as the backdrop, the festival invites visitors to connect with artists, discover unique creations, and celebrate the arts in a fun and welcoming environment. Whether youโre a longtime art enthusiast or just looking for a weekend outing, thereโs something for everyone to enjoy.
[less-]12-12-2026
Presented by Lenexa Parks & Recreation at Lenexa City Hall, Lenexa
Experience unforgettable evening of music and theater close to home. This free performing arts series brings acclaimed local performers to Lenexa City Hall October to March.
2026 performances include:
Oct. 10: War of the Worlds: The 1938 Radio...
[more+]Experience unforgettable evening of music and theater close to home. This free performing arts series brings acclaimed local performers to Lenexa City Hall October to March.
2026 performances include:
Oct. 10: War of the Worlds: The 1938 Radio Script - A live radio play of the chilling Martian invasion that once shocked the nation
Nov. 14: Fountain City String Quartet - Classical precision with contemporary flair
Dec. 12: Mandolin Orchestra of Kansas City - Featuring a blend of mandolins, mandolas, guitars and bass
Coordinated by the Lenexa Arts Council and Lenexa Parks & Recreation.
[less-]10-11-2026
Presented by Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College at Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College, Overland Park
From the producers ofย โThe Simon and Garfunkel Storyโย andย โThe Life and Music of George Michaelโย comes a dynamic celebration of the legendary singer-songwriter's greatest hits, and the story of the man behind the melodies.
This...
[more+]From the producers ofย โThe Simon and Garfunkel Storyโย andย โThe Life and Music of George Michaelโย comes a dynamic celebration of the legendary singer-songwriter's greatest hits, and the story of the man behind the melodies.
This concert experience takes you on a journey through Billy Joelโs legendary career, from his humble beginnings to becoming one of the greatest songwriters and performers of all time.ย ย Through faithful recreation of the original music, stunning visuals, and compelling storytelling,ย youโllย discover how his music has shaped generations and why his legacy endures.
[less-]10-14-2026
Presented by Prairie Village Arts Council at Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, Prairie Village
Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse Artists Reception and Poetry Reading Recollections is a collaborative poetry and printmaking exhibit with Kansas Poet Laureate Traci Brimhall and printmaker and graphic designer Lori Stanziola.
๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ...
[more+]Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse Artists Reception and Poetry Reading Recollections is a collaborative poetry and printmaking exhibit with Kansas Poet Laureate Traci Brimhall and printmaker and graphic designer Lori Stanziola.
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Lori Stanziola (she/her) is a Kansas City based artist specializing in fine art printmaking. Drawing on her experience as a designer, Lori revels in the use of graphic shapes and patterns to create richly layered works from hand carved blocks. Her work depicts patterns, contrasts and rhythms present in land, flora and food that serve to evoke emotions and shared experiences. Lori was the featured artist for Lawrence Art in the Park in 2021, was chosen as the featured print artist for Smoky Hill River Fest in 2024, and her work/booth was awarded Best in Show at the 2026 Prairie Village Art Show.
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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 and the current poet laureate of Kansas, where her initiatives have centered on uniting the stateโs agricultural roots with the literary arts. 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.