Join in on the Kansas City Art Scene

September 24, 2010

Fall… What a perfect time to attend some Art festivals and reconnect with your creative self.  This weekend is the 79th annual Country Club Plaza Art Festival. There will be 240 artists, three live music stages, and a kid’s art workshop. Wonderful culinary treats will also be available for purchase. Support the Arts in Kansas City by visiting the art festival this weekend.  

I recently viewed the Egyptian exhibit at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. What a fascinating display of ancient artifacts. The tomb painting was exquisite and finely detailed - a magnificent show of craftsmanship and artistic ability. The exhibit is from the tomb of Meretites, a 2,300 year old noblewoman. The Egyptians, in general, were very interested in architecture, sculpture, and painting.  Read about their art in the book entitled Sister Wendy’s Story of Painting by Sister Wendy Beckett (pages 12 and 13 provide information about the Ancient Egyptian tomb paintings). This book is a wonderful compilation of various periods of Art including the Italian Renaissance, Neoclassicism, Romanticism, and the Age of Impressionism. It also includes a large section on 20th Century Art. Look through it and then take a trip to the Nelson Art Gallery, where you may find some of the paintings depicted in this book or in her other book entitled Sister Wendy’s 1000 Masterpieces. At the Nelson-Atkins Gallery of Art, there are also some original works of Claude Monet that were beautiful to see. It’s a wonderful feeling to stand there looking at original artwork which was created hundreds and even thousands of years ago and feel privileged to be able to view these priceless treasures. 

Additionally, listed below are some juvenile non-fiction books available at Camden Point which depict Egyptian Art:

• Hieroglyphs by Karen Price Hossell
• Art Up Close: From Ancient to Modern by Claire d’Harcourt
• Seven Wonders of the Ancient World by Michelle Laliberte

Also, don’t forget First Fridays in the Crossroads Art District. Many art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants are open in the evening (various hours between 6:30 and 10 pm – with all open between the hours of 7-9 pm.) The next First Friday event is October 1st. You will be able to meet some local artists and mingle with other art lovers.  Enjoy!

Sandy O. 
Camden Point Branch