A major exhibit and art fairs start soon in Kansas City. See when and where
Winter and early spring are slow times for visual arts in the Kansas City area, but that drought is about to end. A major exhibition at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art will be a prelude to a May calendar filled with art events.
“Timeless Mucha,” featuring the works of Czech painter and decorative artist Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939), opens Saturday, April 18, at the Nelson-Atkins.
Mucha’s distinctive paintings, illustrations, advertisements and designs helped define the Art Nouveau movement of the late 19th century and early 20th century. This exhibition traces his rise from a struggling artist in Paris to an international sensation after his breakthrough came when he was commissioned to design posters for actress Sarah Bernhardt.
Here’s what you need to know about the Nelson-Atkins exhibition and the rest of the Kansas City area’s spring visual arts events.
‘Timeless Mucha’
More than 100 works from the Mucha Trust Collection will be on display. April 18-Aug. 30; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays-Mondays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak St. $24; free for Friends of Art members. nelson-atkins.org
Brookside Art Annual
Kansas City’s first outdoor art show of the year will celebrate its 40th anniversary with nearly 200 artists from around the country. 5-9 p.m. May 1, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. May 2, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. May 3, Brookside Shops, 63rd Street and Brookside Boulevard (one block east of Wornall Road). Free. brooksideartannual.com.
Stems Plein Air Paint
Artists can paint anytime during the month at any location in the Kansas City area. One highlight will be the Magic Hour Quick Paint on May 8 at the Rice Gallery in downtown Overland Park. May 1-31, citywide. Free. stemspleinair.com.
Painted Gardens Art Fair
This inaugural Summit Art event will be held on the opening weekend of Painted Garden, a six-week botanical and art exhibition. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 2-3, East Lawn, Powell Gardens, 1609 NW U.S. 50, Kingsville. $8-$15 admission to Powell Gardens. summitart.org.
Lenexa Art Fair
In addition to about 50 artists from the region, this one-day event will offer live jazz music, children’s art activities, food and more. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. May 6, Lenexa Civic Campus, West 87th Street Parkway eastbound between Winchester Street and Penrose Lane. Free. lenexa.com.
Wilbur Niewald Plein Air
This is the fourth annual Historic West Bottoms Association event honoring famed local artist Wilbur Niewald (1925-2022). May 9 and 14-17, West Bottoms. Free. hwb-kc.com.
“Second Nature: Photography in the Age of the Anthropocene”
The work of 45 photo-based artists from around the world will examine the Anthropocene (“the period of time during which human activities have had an environmental impact on the Earth regarded as constituting a distinct geological time interval,” according to Merriam Webster). May 22-Sept. 13; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, 4420 Warwick Blvd. Free. kemperart.org.
Plein Air Festival
The public can watch artists paint and can attend the awards reception and art sale, which also will feature live music. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 27, Missouri Town Living History Museum; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 28, Pergola Park at Old Longview Lake; 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. May 29, Powell Gardens; 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. May 30, downtown Lee’s Summit; 5-8 p.m. May 30 (awards reception and art sale), Green Street Market. Free. summitart.org
Prairie Village Art Show
The second-oldest art show in Kansas City (behind the Plaza Art Fair) welcomes about 100 artists annually. 5-9 p.m. May 29, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. May 30, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. May 31, Shops of Prairie Village, 6920 Mission Road. Free. pvartshow.com
