Riverside artist creates roadside art gallery of Kansas City Chiefs superstars
For one Kansas City artist, a busy road became a unique and unlikely gallery for his passion. “Well, I’ve always painted on a big scale, and I was just, you know, as I was painting, I was just like, well, you know what? I got a four-lane road out here,” said artist Jeff Parson, 57, of Riverside, Missouri, “That is the best art gallery in the world,” he said with a chuckle.
Parson turned his corner lot into a showcase of creativity, beginning with a giant cutout of Bigfoot. By 2019, his focus shifted to the larger-than-life depictions of Kansas City Chiefs players, a theme that quickly became a hit on social media and with the community.
Inspiration for Parson was found in Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Captivated by Mahomes’ talent and potential, he created and displayed a towering 20-foot likeness of Mahomes, sparking what has become an annual tradition. “Patrick Mahomes, it was his first year that I put him out there, because you just knew that there was something special about this guy,” Parson said.
Working in a small basement studio, Parson, who is a self taught artist, starts by sketching the players, then transfers the design onto a large sheet of plywood. He uses a jigsaw to cut out the figure, marrying the bold, vibrant paint with the carefully shaped plywood, he transforms each piece into a striking and dynamic work of art, finishing it with a coat of shellac or clear varnish to shield it from the elements, Parson said it usually takes him an entire weekend to finish each cutout.
Throughout the football season, he introduces a new piece each week, inspired by a player or event. By the season’s end, his yard transforms into a showcase capturing the spirit and soul of the Chiefs’. “I try to do like one a week so that at the end of the year there’s about 12, 13 players out there.”
His eye-catching display, which sits on Northwest Gateway Drive, is a hit with the neighborhood, drawing admiration from passersby who stop to take pictures and share selfies on social media. So far, this year’s scene includes Mahomes,head coach Andy Reid, tight end Travis Kelce and girlfriend, pop superstar Taylor Swift, as well as defensive tackle Chris Jones, running back Isaiah Pacheco, wide receiver Xavier Worthy and line backer Leo Chanel and K.C. Wolf.
“People will say, ‘Hey, you know what? We go down and eat at the Corner Cafe before the game, and we come down here and take a picture of what’s new. And it’s become like our family tradition,’” Parson said. “And that’s what I want. You know, that’s what I want with my art.”
For this artist, there is joy in uniting people. He loves and takes pride in how his art celebrates Kansas City and brings people together, especially during challenging times.
During the pandemic, Parson, who goes by the moniker Fearless Jack Rabbit, channeled his passion for art into an unexpected form of connection. He became known on social media for the free sketches he left around town, inviting people to discover and keep them. A young boy was delighted to find a sketch of Mahomes. Each piece featured a personal message on the back, a special touch from the artist.
Painting isn’t just a hobby—for Parson, it’s a necessity. “If I don’t paint, I go crazy,” he says. For him, art is more than just something he does—it’s a part of who he is.
“Everything has been overwhelmingly positive. And that’s the one thing I love about this team—it brings us together here in Kansas City. And we need more of that right now.”
This story was originally published January 25, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
