“Heartland Bloom” by artist Paige Crosswhite was one of the 101 heart sculptures on display at the Parade of Hearts reveal event Friday at the American Royal complex.
Emily Curiel
ecuriel@kcstar.com
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These hearts are about to go wild in Kansas City.
Parade of Hearts is back for 2024. The popular public art event will place 101 unique, heart-shaped works across the Kansas City metropolitan area for anyone to see.
A select group of local artists have put their finishing touches on the larger-than-lifesize sculptures which will be set out starting Sunday. The theme of each finished work speaks to something that is uniquely Kansas City like the Kansas City Chiefs and local landmarks among other things.
Event organizers refer to the distribution of the hearts as putting them out into the “wild.”
The artworks are placed all around the metro region with the hope that people traveling to catch them all will be introduced to areas they’ve never been to.
Born during the COVID-19 pandemic, the non-profit Parade of Hearts organization released the first hearts into the “wild” in 2022. The program serves as a fundraiser that benefits several local non-profit organizations and the arts community. Fundraising comes through donations that can be made on the Parade of Hearts website along with the sale of the works through an auction. The group is also selling tickets for admission to a public preview of the hearts happening today.
The public preview runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the American Royal Governor’s Exposition Building, 1701 American Royal Ct. in Kansas City, Missouri. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids 12 and under. Children 2 and under are free. The event will feature a variety of family-friendly activities, live music and concessions according to the Parade of Hearts organizers.
On Friday, the Parade of Hearts organization gave members of the media an early look at the hearts. Here are some of the works that will soon be seen all over the metro.
Visitors gather to see the Parade of Hearts reveal kickoff event Friday at the American Royal complex. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Native Butterfly Friends” by artist Miranda Pietzsch. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Magician” by artist Shannon Kay Lewis. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Once Upon a City” by artist Dani Romay and Laura King. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Artist Beth Martens poses for a photo next to her heart display titled “We Build Kansas City” Friday during the Parade of Hearts reveal kickoff event. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Shimmer” by artist Mark Exline. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Infinite Love” by artist Trey Morgan. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Hearty Party” by artist Abigael Elliott. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Stop The Violence!” by artist Brooke Jiskra. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“We Are Kansas City” by artist Anna Berthelsen and Kaitlyn Ekart-Eliot. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Farmer Razzle Dazzle: The Heart of KC” by artist Emmi Loo. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Corazón Floreciente” by artist Araceli Delatorre. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Visitors gather to see the Parade of Hearts reveal kickoff event at the Friday at the American Royal complex. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Love Letter” by artist Alex DeJesus, Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
A variety of caterpillars and larvae are seen on the back of the heart titled “Native Butterfly Friends” by artist Miranda Pietzsch Friday during the Parade of Hearts reveal kickoff event. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“All Trails Lead Home…” by artists Angelea Busby Jacobson and Jake Jacobson. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Saturn’s Heart” by artist Addy Milligan. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Artist Tayler Peters puts the last finishing touches on his heart titled “Good Eats” Friday during the Parade of Hearts reveal kickoff event. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Artist Kirsten Mims displays her themed nails matching her heart display titled “Kicking it in KC” Friday during the Parade of Hearts reveal kickoff event. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Beneath the Waves” by artist Scott Seentin is displayed Friday during the Parade of Hearts reveal kickoff event. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Where’s Patrick?” by artist Erin Bero. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Illuminated Heartland Vista” by artists Carol Bolt and Steven Bolt. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Artist Steven Bolt wears a stained glass tie as he discusses his heart display titled “Illuminated Heartland Vista” with visitor Donease Smith Friday during the Parade of Hearts reveal kickoff event. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
JoAnna Rogers, left, and Jamie Young take a selfie in front of the heart display titled “City Fountains of Sports Color” by artist Julie Flanagan Friday during the Parade of Hearts reveal kickoff event. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“The Depth to Our Beat” by artist Peter Morgan. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Artist Ruthie Messer Wolkey explains some Easter eggs on her heart display titled “Jazz & Blues in KC” to visitors Kelly LaGrant, left, and Brad Dacus Friday during the Parade of Hearts reveal kickoff event. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Going to Kansas City via Streetcar!” By artist Charlie Podrebarac. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Jeff Rogers takes a photo of the heart titled “Once Upon a City” by artist Dani Romay and Laura King Friday during the Parade of Hearts reveal kickoff event. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Pathway to Healing” by artist Matt Dehaemers. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Guardian of the Heartland” by artist Adrean Painter. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Cats if KC” by artist Emily Johnson. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
A variety of messages written on heart-shaped notes are seen as part of the heart called “Pathway to Healing” by artist Matt Dehaemers. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Traveling Through the Heartland” by artist Whiskey Design. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Communal Piñata” by artist Angelica Ahumada DeJesus. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Where’s Patrick?” by artist Erin Bero. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Kicking it in KC” by artist Kirsten Mims. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
A visitor places a blue marble into a contraption featured in the heart display titled “The Blue Marble” by artist Meranda McDermott. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
“Low and Slow” by Tara Karaim. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
This story was originally published April 13, 2024 at 5:30 AM.
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Emily Curiel, is a visual journalist at The Star. With a broad scope of coverage, Curiel navigates subjects including breaking news, sports, features and long-form narratives. She is a first-generation graduate from San Francisco State University and a native of Los Angeles.
