A new traveling Michelangelo exhibit is in Kansas City on the Plaza. What’s inside?
Delayed no more, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition has landed in Kansas City. The interactive art exhibit promises an opportunity to experience the iconic work without needing to hop on a plane to Rome.
The exhibit on the Country Club Plaza hosts replicas of Michelangelo’s most famous paintings in the church, providing a detailed look at pieces like “The Drunkenness of Noah” and “The Last Judgment.”
The traveling Sistine Chapel show opens Friday and will be in town until mid-May. It was delayed because organizers needed to transport its set from a similar show in Dallas.
The Star spoke with exhibit senior producer Eric Leong about the inspiration behind bringing the spirit of the Vatican’s well-known artwork to Kansas City.
WHY MICHELANGELO?
It’s a simple story. The head of the company behind the exhibit had a bad experience seeing the Sistine Chapel in person. Martin Biallas, the CEO of Special Entertainment Events, felt rushed. Security guards were yelling, and he didn’t feel like he got to truly experience the beauty of the art.
If there was a way to present the paintings that would give everyone the time he felt they deserved, he was going to find it. The goal of the traveling Sistine Chapel exhibit is to make sure everyone soaks in what they’re seeing in a modern and convenient setting.
“What we’ve seen from our visitors is that people who’ve been to the Sistine Chapel say, ‘Hey, I’ve been to the actual Chapel and I, of course, loved it, but I noticed new things when I saw your exhibit this time,” Leong said. “We’ve had other people say the reverse, ‘We’ve never been to the Sistine Chapel. We love your exhibit, and now we want to go see the real thing.’”
WHAT’S INSIDE
The exhibit includes 34 frescoes surrounding the inside of the building, each showing a different piece of the Sistine Chapel’s artwork. Each fresco stands at about 12 feet tall, which is about 80% of the actual size of Michelangelo’s paintings.
The frescoes all have signs in English and Spanish that describe the background of what’s on display. For example, if you’re looking at “The Creation of Adam,” you’ll learn more about the implied, but incomplete, contact between God and his greatest creation, mankind.
You can check out an audio player in six different languages that will give you information not included on the sign or in the souvenir guide. While they’ll have headphones you can use if you choose to listen, it’s best to bring your own.
The exhibit also has an informational theater showcasing the history behind the creation of the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo himself. At the end is a merchandise booth where you can pick up shirts, coffee mugs and more.
HOW TO BUY TICKETS
There are two options: Standard and VIP tickets. The VIP tickets give you access to skip the line and an exclusive poster. You can purchase tickets online here.
The standard tickets cost $13.70 per child and $19.60 per adult, and the VIP tickets cost $17.80 for kids and $25.50 for adults.
Leong said the average time you’re in the exhibit ranges around 60-90 minutes, but you can take as long as you want to observe everything. The venue is also wheelchair accessible.
It’ll be on 211 Nichols Road, where the Nike store used to be in the Plaza.
“It’s art,” Leong said. “It’s meant to be enjoyed, reflected upon, studied, and I hope that you get enjoyment out of it.”
This story was originally published April 1, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
