Artist Waylande Gregory left a legacy of art deco-inspired ceramic pieces. And he established a strong Kansas City connection.

The sculptor was born in 1905 in Baxter Springs, Kan. He earned the nickname “Kid Gregory” because he was 20 when he directed the decoration and design of the Hotel President in Kansas City.

He adapted several historical styles using Renaissance motifs in one room and colonial designs in another. But Gregory’s Aztec Room, the dining space at the hotel, became well known and publicized. You can still see it at the hotel, 1329 Baltimore Ave.

Gregory later married a Hungarian countess and lived in New York. He died in 1971 but his great-grandson Bryan Downey reissued a collection of Gregory’s ceramic home pieces. They are available at the Shop at Studio Dan Meiners, 2500 West Pennway, 816-979-3656.