Kansas City shows up for triumphant show by artist who was badly burned as a toddler
We’re still looking for the Kansas City firefighter who saved Trey Anthony Loomis’ life 26 years ago. Loomis was severely burned in an East Side house fire, and no one has yet stepped up to receive his thanks.
But on Saturday, Kansas City showed appreciation for the now 28-year-old’s colorful folk art at his first solo exhibit, held at Kansas City artist Harold Smith’s studio in the Crossroads.
Students from local school districts lined up to get photos with Loomis and get his signature on the pieces they purchased. And those who showed up to support him included professional artists from around Kansas City.
Many who came to view his work on Saturday had questions: “Is the firefighter here?”
“Has he been found?“
No, but the search is still on for the firefighter who saved Loomis from the 1995 fire. Loomis, who was 2 at the time, was trapped in a Kansas City house engulfed in flames. A firefighter pulled him from a burning closet.
Kansas City Fire Department officials said that trying to identify the hero firefighter has been difficult because they have no exact date or address. Department records were on paper in 1995. KCFD is reaching out to the Kansas City Police Department for help.
As a teenager, after years of surgeries, Loomis started painting, which he can do despite his physical limitations. He paints portraits of hip hop artists like Cardi B, Beyonce and Snoop Dogg, and skylines of cities he’s visited, including Dallas, Atlanta and St. Louis. His art has been featured in several group exhibitions.
Among those who came to last week’s exhibition was Elizabeth Barker, an urban art enthusiast. Barker drove with her children 180 miles from Lebanon, Missouri, to view Loomis’ work and to meet the young man.
“I just think he is amazing,” Barker said. “His story is amazing. We had to come.”
It was great to see Kansas City show appreciation for this young man’s life and art, put some extra dollars in his pocket and put a smile on his face.
And amid so much struggle over race, politics, education and crime, a chance to celebrate strength, heroism and artistic beauty “was just what we all need right now,” Smith said. “It’s heartwarming. Trey was very happy.”
