Art in the Loop is thrilled to host Black Boy Joy Yoga at the Union Station streetcar stop on July 8th from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. We interviewed artist Khyneesha Edwards to learn more about the original artwork Black Boy Joy that inspired the event.

Why did you apply to Art in the Loop?

I thought it seemed like a great way to connect with the community and other artists so I went to the info session. The 2023 theme of ‘Celebrate’ really resonated with me and I spent a lot of time brainstorming. I decided on Black Boy Joy because I wanted to focus on putting positive images of Black boys and Black men into the world. There’s so much negativity in the news and the media when it comes to Black people in general, but especially Black men. There are so many injustices that my people are fighting through, so I wanted to put something out there that would be a light in these dark times. 

Why focus on Black men specifically?

As a Black woman, I understand the importance of uplifting Black men and not just focusing on myself. We heal and we get free together. I wanted to say, “I see you, I hear you, I’m with you. You all go through so much, and society puts all these expectations on you.” I wanted Black men to be able to be joyous and express themselves. Live unapologetically. 

How did you come up with the art on the KC Streetcar stop?

The theme of ‘Celebrate’ gave me a lot of inspiration for the colors and the aesthetic. I chose bright colors because I wanted Black men and boys to feel free to live out loud and in color. They don’t have to suppress themselves. They can shout and exclaim without caring who’s looking. The lines going through the design represent liberation and that free-flowing vibe.

What inspired you to organize a yoga event along with your art piece?

At the info session, it was mentioned that community events are encouraged, and so after stewing on it for a while, I thought about ways Black men can express joy. One that I’ve picked up more lately is yoga. Yoga is gaining more popularity among all cultures and communities. I find it to be a great way to practice wellness in a very intentional way and I want to bring that to the community. I wanted to show that there is joy in claiming your health and your wellness.

Who is invited to Black Boy Joy Yoga?

The event is meant to be a safe space for Black men and Black boys to practice yoga. I want to ensure that this is a space for Black men and boys to exist freely and be with one another. All are welcome, though, especially if they understand the message and want to be allies to the Black community. 

Black Boy Joy Yoga is also a fundraiser; can you give more details?

The two organizations that are benefiting from this event are Black and Brown Men’s Healing Circle and High Aspirations. I’ve been following these two organizations for a while and they do a lot of great work in the community, especially for uplifting Black men and boys. Black and Brown Men’s Healing Circle focuses on men of color. They meet every Sunday and connect over  mental health, issues that impact men of color, meditative practices, ancestral healing, and more. High Aspirations works with boys ages 8-18 and gets them involved in the community, focusing on their social, academic, emotional and spiritual success. There are many ways to donate: 

• Purchasing special Black Boy Joy merchandise at the yoga event. There will be t-shirts, yard signs, stickers, and keychains and $500 will go to each organization.
• Donating directly to the organizations’ websites and Instagram accounts: @bbmhckc & @highaspirationskc
• Donating directly by scanning a QR Code at Black Boy Joy Yoga

What was the process for making the merchandise?

I pulled the blue and green colors from the art I made at the streetcar stop. The artwork at the streetcar stop is very groovy, and that gave me a lot of inspiration. I used a bold font to allow the masculine and feminine aesthetics to coexist. There are confetti-esque marks around it to show the joy and celebration that this is all about. I also use the phrase ‘Black boy joy’ on all of it to keep it simple and open to interpretation. 

What does the phrase ‘Black boy joy’ mean to you?

To me, it means Black boys and men expressing themselves unapologetically and in ways that feel authentic to them. There are so many stereotypes out there, but Blackness is not a monolith. We are so many different types of people. I want Black boys and men to give themselves permission to be who they want to be.

What have your experiences been with ‘Black boy joy’ that led you to create this piece?

What I’ve appreciated recently is the reclaiming of it. I’m so here for Black men choosing to heal and rise above what society places on them. I have a nephew, who’s seven, and I love getting to see him learn and grow and experience this world. He has so much innocence, happiness, curiosity and wonder. When I look at him, I see ‘Black boy joy,’ and I want him to keep exploring what that means for him

How is this project different from the other work you’ve done?

I work full-time as a designer for a direct marketing agency, so I have clients I work with for that position. I also have freelance clients, where I might be creating a logo or a flyer for a business. This project is different because it’s a project that anyone can enjoy. It’s not for a specific company. Having a public art piece that anyone can enjoy, appreciate, and share is feels very special to me.

What’s been your journey as an artist?

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always loved to create. I asked for art supplies all the time. I got into writing in elementary school, then fashion, then photography. I’ve always loved being creative. Once I got to college, I decided I wanted to combine all of it and get a degree in Fashion Communication. I explored marketing, journalism, photography, graphic design, styling, art direction, and PR. I really gravitated toward design because it’s so free, fun, and expressive. I struggled with it a lot during my freshman year, but now I can’t imagine doing anything else.

What is the value of the arts in creating social change?

Art connects people. Art gives people a lens into a world that might exist outside of themselves. Art makes you stop and think. It kind of slows you down for a bit. Also, people can take so many different things from art, and we can find those differences and connect with each other. Art plays an important role in spreading awareness about issues. My hope is that there will be some little Black boy with his dad, his brother, or his class, and he can walk past Black Boy Joy and say, “that boy looks like me.” He can be happy and feel seen. Growing up as a Black girl, I didn’t always see myself represented that well in TV shows, media, or even toys. As you get older, it takes a toll on you to not see yourself represented. Fortunately, things are getting better with more Black creatives being uplifted and showing the world they exist. I want the next generation to feel seen. That’s important because it inspires them to do what they see. For example, seeing Serena Williams play tennis could spark a little Black girl to want to do that. It shows them that they can dream bigger and do whatever they want to do. 

Thank you, Khyneesha Edwards, for sharing more about your artwork and event!

To attend Black Boy Joy Yoga, RSVP Here: www.eventbrite.com/e/black-boy-joy-yoga For more information about Edwards’ artwork and the other artists featured this year,  visit www.artintheloop.com

Edwards is a graphic designer born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. She works full-time as a graphic designer for a Washington, D.C.-based digital marketing agency, takes on freelance clients, and offers career-consulting services with Resumes By Neesha. In addition to working full-time and freelancing, Khyneesha serves on the board for AIGA KC, where she’ll lead as President for the 2023-2024 term.

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The 2023 Art in the Loop Project is made possible through the generous support of the KC Streetcar Authority, Henderson Engineers, Stinson LLP, and other corporate partners. This project is funded in part by the City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund, as well as by awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Missouri Arts Council, ArtsKC, and the Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts – Commerce Bank Trustee.

Project partners include the Downtown Council, Downtown Community Improvement Districts, KC Streetcar, and the Kansas City Art Institute.

For more information about the project and the artists, visit www.artintheloop.com or www.facebook.com/artintheloop

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Contacts:

Art in the Loop
Ann Holliday, Program Director, ann@downtownkc.org, (c) 816-718-1355
Marissa Starke, Visual Arts Director, marissastarke@gmail.com, (c) 816-519-4236
Jade Osborne, Performing Arts Director, jademuse@gmail.com

KC Streetcar
Donna Mandelbaum, Communications & Marketing Director, dmandelbaum@kcstreetcar.org, (c) 816-877-3219 

(Kansas City, Missouri) – The Art in the Loop Foundation is pleased to announce the 2023 Art in the Loop artists and art installations.

This year marks the tenth year for the Art in the Loop Project, which includes artwork based on photography, painting, digitized illustrations, paintings, and more. The Art in the Loop Project is a curated outdoor exhibition of temporary artworks presented in partnership with the KC Streetcar.  Artists responded to the 2023 theme of “Celebrate” by addressing questions about how one defines celebration, what are the intersections between art and celebration, and what celebrating Downtown Kansas City looks like.  

Artists are selected for the annual program through an online application process open to artists in the greater Kansas City area. A selection panel consisting of local artists, curators, educators, and community members reviewed over 100 applications and selected 8 artist teams.

The following artists’ works will be displayed at KC Streetcar stops and on one KC Streetcar vehicle between June and November 2023. You can find images of each installation online at www.artintheloop.com. 

Artist and Art Installations:

• Arin Yoon, Here, with you, at the River Market North Streetcar Stop
• Adrianne Clayton, The Little Princess, at the ARTwall at 13th and Grand
• Bubblegum Kurt, Party Balloons, at the Crossroads Northbound Streetcar Stop 
• Fred Trease, Disco Cloud, on the KC Streetcar #804
• Isaiah Lee, Demonstrations 3, at the Metro Center Northbound Streetcar Stop
• Kaitlyn B. Jones, How to Build an Altar for the Living, at the Library Southbound Streetcar Stop  
• Khyneesha Edwards, Black Boy Joy, at the Union Station Streetcar Stop 
• Madeline Marak, Flower Garden, at the River Market West Streetcar Stop  

The Art in the Loop Foundation will hold a Kick-Off event for the 2023 Art in the Loop Project: Celebrate, on Wednesday, June 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the Kansas City Public Library Central Branch. This will be an evening of art and music as we introduce the 2023 visual and performance artists. The event will start at 5:30 p.m. with a reception followed by a program at 6 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Attendees can RSVP for the event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023.com.

The Art in the Loop Foundation is very excited to have a guest speaker at our Kick-Off Event this year. Michael Toombs is an accomplished artist and art activist. He is the CEO and founder of Storytellers Inc. Toombs is a leader and aid to artists throughout Kansas City. He specializes in interactive community based art works to bring people together through art.

The 2023 Art in the Loop Project is provided artistic guidance by Marissa Starke, who is serving in her first year as the visual art director for Art in the Loop. Marissa Starke is a non-profit executive with a distinguished, 13-year history of success in non-profit management, corporate and community relations, and team leadership. A visionary leader with a demonstrated history of working in the fine art industry, Marissa has pioneered and led dozens of arts initiatives and programs across Missouri and Kansas, offering expertise in curation, community engagement and arts advocacy.

The 2023 Art in the Loop Project is provided artistic guidance by Jade Osborne, who is serving in her first year as performance art director for Art in the Loop. Jade Osborne is an international performance artist, arts activist, facilitator, mentor, and speaker. She has worked in non-profit education, served in AmeriCorps, and has been a Poet and Artist in Residence (Capoeira & Aerial Acrobatics). She was the first female Capoeira performer in both the U.S. and Hong Kong. She helped pioneer aerial acrobatics in Kansas City with Voler – Thieves of Flight Performance Ensemble. 

Art in the Loop is proud to partner with AI Hub this year. AI Hub is a creative coworking space that caters to artists, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. They have been a great help making this year’s Art in the Loop project possible by giving our artists the technical tools to bring their art to life on the KC Streetcar shelters.

The 2023 Art in the Loop Project is made possible through the generous support of the KC Streetcar Authority, Henderson Engineers, Stinson LLP, and other corporate partners. This project is funded in part by the City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund, as well as by awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Missouri Arts Council, ArtsKC, and the Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts – Commerce Bank Trustee.

Project partners include the Downtown Council, Downtown Community Improvement Districts, KC Streetcar, and the Kansas City Art Institute.

For more information about the project and the artists, visit www.artintheloop.com, www.facebook.com/artintheloop, or twitter.com/ArtintheLoop. 

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Contacts:

Art in the Loop
Ann Holliday, Program Director, ann@downtownkc.org, (c) 816-718-1355

Marissa Starke, Visual Arts Director, marissastarke@gmail.com, (c) 816-519-4236

Jade Osborne, Performing Arts Director, jademuse@gmail.com 

KC Streetcar

Donna Mandelbaum, Communications & Marketing Director, dmandelbaum@kcstreetcar.org,  (c) 816-877-3219

Deadline for submissions: Monday, May 22, 2023, 11:59 p.m.

The Art in the Loop Foundation (AILF) is in search of performing artists to bring their creativity to Downtown Kansas City for the 2023 Art in the Loop Performance Series.

Through a competitive, open-call process, AILF selects local artists to perform along and near the KC Streetcar route as well as at other sites in Downtown Kansas City. This performance series will feature multi-sensory performances such as spoken word, dance, music, improv, etc., while also highlighting the visual artworks installed along the KC Streetcar route. 

Artists will receive a stipend for their work and selected artists will perform at one of five Art in the Loop events: 

• June 21st: Kick-off Ceremony at the Central Library

• July 12th: Summer evening concert on July 12th

• August 16th: 816 Day at City Market

• September 13th: Outdoor Performances at Streetcar Stops

• November 8th: Closing Reception at the Central Library

2023 Theme/Prompt: Celebrate

How do you celebrate? This year we are asking artists to show us how/what they celebrate in their lives. This could be the celebration of art, identity, culture, community and more. How do you reflect celebration in your artwork and art practice, your community, and your city? 

For the 2023 Art in the Loop Performances, we are looking for artists to respond to these questions and to explore their vision of celebration. Proposed performances should reflect these questions and ideas in ways that engage and stimulate Kansas City audiences through public performances. 

Eligibility:

Professional artists, musicians, spoken-word artists, dance artists, and other performers, at least 18 years of age residing within 50 miles of Kansas City are eligible.

For more information or to apply, visit: www.artintheloop.com or contact Jade Osborne, Performance Art Director, jademuse@gmail.com.

The City of Lawrence is excited to announce that the 33rd annual Outdoor Downtown Sculpture Exhibition is coming back in 2023 after a period of hibernation due to Covid-19.

The Lawrence Outdoor Downtown Sculpture Exhibition (ODSE) is in its 33rd year! The ODSE was founded by local sculptor and executive director of the Kansas Sculptors Association Jim Patti in 1988 to provide an opportunity for area sculptors to showcase their work in various locations in downtown Lawrence.

The ODSE is now sponsored by the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission (LCAC) and receives financial and staff support from the City of Lawrence. To see what the most recent Outdoor Downtown Sculpture Exhibition looked like, see our 2019 event brochure here.

The LCAC is seeking artists and/or teams wishing to be considered to develop work for this temporary, one-year public art exhibition program.

Works that explore an expanded, ephemeral notion of art in the public realm are strongly encouraged. This might include:

• Performance, Music, Spoken Word
• Interactive
• Socially Inspired
• Temporary Installations
• Dance
• Video Projections
• or other Innovative Approaches

For more information, see the 2023 Outdoor Downtown Sculpture Exhibition Call for Artists.

If you’re interested in applying, we encourage you: Don’t wait! The application window closes at midnight on Saturday, December 17th. 

Fill out the online application here.

The Kansas City Streetcar is looking for talented, local musicians to entertain riders during the holiday season.

Do you want to perform in front of an audience in a uniquely different way? Do you want to engage with the riders on board the Kansas City Streetcar and at streetcar stops?

With more than 10.7 million passenger trips in 6 years of service, you will reach many ears and hearts with your music.

Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to perform your music (both original and covers allowed) on board the KC Streetcar or at a streetcar stop.

Inclusion of holiday music in sets is encouraged but not mandatory.

Performances are anticipated to take place during weekday evenings, but a schedule will not be finalized until mid-November.

Application deadline is Oct. 23. 

Selected musicians will be notified by Nov. 4.

Apply at https://kcstreetcar.org/holidayjam22/

Join us on Friday, September 2nd, as Art in the Loop presents a live painting event by visual artist Sol Anzorena.

Using sustainable materials, Anzorena will create “Sacred Spaces”, a temporary art installation at the KC Streetcar City Market stop (5th and Walnut). The work reminds us of Nature’s persistence through time, “patiently waiting for us to peel back the veil of our busy lives and step onto sacred land once more.” The painting highlights plants native to our region and is designed to gently dissolve over time through exposure to the elements, a nod to natural cycles.

Anzorena’s live painting event will accompany City Market’s Fresh Fridays, with KC Chalk and Walk Festival and Art Garden KC. The event takes place from 5:00 pm-8:30 pm. The artist will be painting throughout the evening and will be accompanied by live acoustic music with Tom Grotewohl playing the traditional Indian flute and folk violin.

Click here to RSVP and learn more!