This fall, residents and art enthusiasts of all ages are invited to Washington Square Park to enjoy public art installations as part of the City’s first Art in the Square Exhibit. Art in the Square is an initiative of the City of Kansas City to showcase public art while reinforcing the City’s commitment to investing in local artists. Art in the Square is made possible through collaboration between the City’s Municipal Art Commission and the Parks and Recreation Department. The exhibit represents a unique collection of thought-provoking artwork that ranges from whimsical to innovative. The first Art in the Square exhibit, which will be placed in Washington Square Park, will feature art work from five local artists. This outdoor gallery is free and open to the public from September 10 through December 21.
“Art in the Square provides local artists with a unique opportunity to gain experience in the creation of outdoor art, and gives art enthusiasts of all ages the opportunity to rediscover Washington Square Park,” said Public Art Administrator, Elizabeth Bowman.
The exhibit’s opening reception will take place in Washington Square Park on September 10 from 5:30 until 7 p.m. Residents and art enthusiasts are invited to meet the artists, view the art installations, and enjoy live music and local food trucks. Those who are unable to join the opening reception are encouraged to view the art work in Washington Square Park through Dec. 21. Washington Square Park is located at intersection of Pershing Rd. and Grand Blvd. The historic park is a Kansas City landmark, recognizable by the prominent statue of George Washington atop a horse; the park celebrates 90 years of establishment in Kansas City this year.
“The City’s first Art in the Square exhibit proves that public art is more than just statues of famous people,” said Bowman. “The works of these five local artists showcase a variety of artistic media and creativity, and enliven this historic park.”
The five featured artists were chosen by a selection panel of arts professionals and business and civic representatives. The artists are Jake Balcom, Denise DiPiazzo, Rie Egawa, Kati Toivanen, and William Vannerson.
Additional information about the art installations and the artists can be found online at www.kcmo.gov/art.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Bowman, Public Art Administrator, at Elizabeth.Bowman@kcmo.org.
“Feel the World Beat in the Heart of America” at the 36th annual event in Swope Park.
KC Parks and the Ethnic Enrichment Commission of Kansas City, Missouri present the 36th Annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival in Swope Park. The event runs Friday, August 21, 6-10 p.m.; Saturday, August 22, Noon-10 p.m.; and Sunday, August 23 from Noon-6 p.m. Adult admission is $3 and children, 12 and under, are free if accompanied by an adult. Parking is free.
The festival, one of the largest and longest-running of its kind, annually attracts more than 35,000 visitors. The 2015 festival features food, crafts and culture from 62 countries. Each country hosts a booth that displays and sells authentic food, artifacts and crafts from their respective country. The festival also has a Beer Garden offering domestic and imported beer selections from around the world. Kids’ World by Odd ball Kids on Saturday and Sunday.
Stage entertainment includes performances by a different ethnic group every 30 minutes and the traditional and majestic “Parade of Flags” that begins at 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Fashion Show begins at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Visit www.eeckc.net for details.
Celebrate the end of summer with your dog at both KC Parks Water Parks!
Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation invites you and your best friend to our end-of-the-season dog swim parties.
The Northland Animal Welfare Society (NAWS) and the KC Parks will partner for the first Dippin’ Dogs Swim Party at The Springs Aquatic Center on Saturday, September 12 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Springs is located at 9400 N. Congress Avenue.
This year, there will be three swim sessions based on dog size. Small (under 40 lbs.) and senior dogs can swim from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Owners will large dogs (40 lbs. +) can choose from two sessions: 12- 2 p.m. or 2-4 p.m. Each large dog session is limited to 100 dogs.
Additionally, NAWS will offer microchipping for just $25 per dog. Local vendors will showcase their goods and services, including veterinary services, pet grooming, pet sitting, natural and gourmet pet food and treats, and pet clothing, at the event. Companies interested in attending as a vendor can sign up on the website or contact Heidi Downer with KC Parks at 816-513-7527 or heidi.downer@kcmo.org.
The Bay Water Park , 7101 Longview Rd. in south Kansas City, is the site for the second Dippin’ Dogs Swim Party on Sunday, September 13 from Noon- 2 p.m. All size dogs are welcome to swim the entire time.
The cost to swim at each party is $10 per dog with a limit of two dogs per person. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
Register in advanced and go to the front of the line!
September 12 @ The Springs>>
September 13 @ The Bay>>
In the last few months, the Kansas City Museum has acquired two significant historical collections that will expand the Museum’s capacity to fulfill its mission to collect, preserve, and interpret Kansas City’s local and regional history: nearly 15,000 medical objects donated by Prime Healthcare (formerly St. Joseph Medical Center) and more than 300 objects donated by the Historic Garment District Museum.
For many years, St. Joseph Medical Center in south Kansas City has maintained a small medical museum started in 1971 by one of its doctors, Dr. Donald Piper, who enlisted everyone at the hospital to contribute materials. The collection grew to its current amount of 15,000 items including medical instruments and equipment, textiles/clothing, archival records of Kansas City area doctors and hospitals, and a large photograph collection. The earliest collection piece dates to about 1800. The collection represents all local Kansas City area hospitals and doctors, with a good percentage related to St. Joseph Hospital history.
In 1990 St. Joseph Medical Center Hospital hired museum professional, Joan Hilger-Mullen, to curate the growing collection. Under her leadership, small exhibits were installed along the corridors, museum-quality cabinetry was purchased, and proper cataloguing and intellectual control has been maintained, making this collection one of the most complete in the region on the story of medicine in the area. Recently, the St. Joseph Medical Center was sold to Prime Healthcare, which offered to donate the collection, including cabinetry and shelving, to the Kansas City Museum.
“We are already dreaming of a future exhibition on the history of Kansas City’s medical society or Civil War medicine, for example,” said Museum Executive Director Anna Marie Tutera. “We’ve been given the opportunity to care for and preserve an amazing collection that has been thoughtfully curated and managed. What a gift.”
In addition to the medical collection, the Kansas City Museum has also acquired more than 300 Kansas City-made garments and accessories from the Historic Garment District Museum of Kansas City that is located in the heart of the old Garment District in DST’s Poindexter building, at 801 Broadway. The museum was founded and opened in 2002 by Ann Brownfield and Harvey Fried, and they have operated the museum since its opening with public hours on Saturdays and special tours by appointment. Many of the buildings nearby date back to the 1870s and are on the National Register of Historic Places. After World War I and through the 1940s, the area employed more than 4,000 people and boasted that one out of every seven women in the United States purchased a Kansas City-made garment. Manufacturing of garments was the second largest employer of any industry in Kansas City, Mo.
Over the past several months, Ann and Harvey have decided to retire from the daily operations of the museum. Along with donating the collection, they have requested that the City of Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation Department operate the Historic Garment District Museum at its current Broadway location, which includes establishing new open hours for the public, developing programs and exhibitions, and managing the collection. The Garment District Place Park, dedicated in 2010 by Parks and Recreation, is located across Broadway from the museum. The park has a fountain and a 22-foot “Needle” sculpture as tribute to the Garment District’s legacy.
“The Historic Garment District is a significant part of Kansas City’s history, and the museum that Ann and Harvey have created and sustained is a gem,” Tutera said. The collection and the opportunity to operate and manage the Broadway location allows the Kansas City Museum to add to its stellar collection of historical clothing, textiles, and costumes, which is comprised of more than 20,000 items in the Museum’s collection and is one of the best collections of its kind in the region.
“We are honored and grateful that Ann and Harvey would entrust this collection and their museum to the City of Kansas City and Parks and Recreation Department. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with them,” Director of Kansas City Parks and Recreation Mark McHenry said.
BACKGROUND ON THE KANSAS CITY MUSEUM
Located at 3218 Gladstone Boulevard in the Historic Northeast area of Kansas City, Missouri, the Kansas City Museum is comprised of five original buildings, including the mansion Corinthian Hall, which was built in 1910 by Robert Alexander Long. The estate became a public museum in 1940. It is owned by the City of Kansas City, Missouri and operated and managed by the City of Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation. The Collection contains more than 100,000 artifacts and several thousand more archival materials that interpret Kansas City’s local and regional history. Currently, Parks and Recreation is working with International Architects Atelier on the planning of a site-wide historic restoration and rehabilitation of the Kansas City Museum.
On July 14, City officials and community leaders gathered to kickoff Phase II Restoration of the Water Tower in Tower Park, 75th & Holmes. The work done in Phase I included repairing concrete, replacing the roof, inspecting existing roof beams, installing bird screens, and painting of the tower and exterior ladder. Additional attachment anchors were also added to the ladder. The Phase II work will install lighting around the top of the tower, install lighting that will light the tower from the ground, and associated electrical work. All of this lighting will have the ability to change colors. A new access door and new interior ladder will also be installed. The site improvements will include new lamp posts and new decorative fencing. The Notice to Proceed is anticipated for July 22 and the project should be substantially complete by the end of October.
It’s our final week of the #KCPicsAndRec15 photo contest! Post a photo from ANY Kansas City, MO Parks and Recreation location with the hashtag and you’ll be entered to win the last prize package. We can’t wait to see all of your great photos!
