Art Print

Arts Incubator is a facility in the Crossroads Art District that provides an environment for artist; shop space, equipment and other resources. 

Urban Living

In the Crossroads Art District.

In Between

This was for fun, I saw it while walking from a parking garage into a building.  Just some space between.

Waste of Money - John Salvest

We have a new piece of temporary art in Penn Valley Park.  Since I drive this route to and from work each day I originally thought I would show the progress of this piece.  But I will not be displaying the progress of this piece.  As I drive by each day I realize what a waste of money this project is and wonder who is paying the bill.  This piece by John Salvest contains 105 shipping containers stacked 7 high and 15 across.  Each shipping container is carried to the park on it's own semi.  This installation started with the park's sod being pulled up and fencing put on the grounds.  The shipping containers will spell out "IOU USA".  I know the price of gas is climbing again and semi's do not get great gas mileage, then there is the crane, workers, cost of shipping containers, and then the removal of all the containers and repair of the grounds.  I think if Salvest was wanting to make a statement about the economy why is he wasting so much money.  Couldn't he have found a better way to use the money, perhaps to help those in need.

I am quite fond of art and usually do not voice my opinion on my blog but this project causes my blood to boil.

Thought-provoking

I found this sculpture outside the Stowers Institute of Medical Research on the University of Missouri Kansas City.  Larry Brown is the artist.

Weekend Reflection - Federal Building

Heading into downtown from the Northland.

Have a great weekend.

Webster House

Webster House is a restored schoolhouse built in 1885.  Manual Diaz designed the Romanesque Revival style schoolhouse, considered modern in it's time.  The construction used scientific principles for interior arrangement, heating, lighting, ventilation and seating for the children.  The school closed in 1932 as the area became more commercial.  In 2002 this became Webster House Antiques and Restaurant.  This is one of my favorite places to visit and sits right next to the Kauffman Center.

Looking North

From the Kauffman Center looking north toward Bartle Hall's sky stations.  Bartle Hall is the convention center in KC.  It has 388,800 square feet of contiguous, column-free space, which is the size of eight football fields.  These pylons of concrete and steel support the cables that suspend Bartle Hall above I-70 and allow for the column-free space inside the convention center.  These sky stations are brilliant at night as I showed you here. 

Inside!

   

Taken from inside the Kauffman Center of Performing Arts.  I am a volunteer and we had training over the weekend.  I love this building and what better way to support Kansas City and the Arts than through volunteering.  

I was amazed with the cables anchored to the walls to hold up the glass in the lobby known as Brandmeyer Great Hall.

Volunteers heading into Kauffman Center of Performing Arts

On this cloudy day, volunteer training day is at the Kauffman Center.  Grand opening weekend is less than one month away.

Clouds over downtown

Looking down Baltimore St with the Power and Light building and President Hotel in view.

Overhang

Across the street from the Film Row photo I showed on Thursday is another building I liked.  I love this overhang along with the one on Film Row building.

I've been asked before about the numbers in the diamond next to the doorway.  This numbers signify the type of chemicals found in the building so firefighters know how to approach and address any fires.

In 1988 firefighters were dispatched to two trailers on fire at a construction site.  They were told to approach with caution for fear of explosives.   The two trailers contained 50,000 lbs of ammonium nitrate that caused a disastrous explosion,  All 6 firefighters died.  It was later determined the fires were set by arson.

Weekend Reflection - Crown Center

Looking toward Crown Center on a cloudy day.

Have a great start to the weekend.

Film Row

I found this building while in the Crossroads and love the art deco style.  The building is going through renovations and will be professional suites.    I think that sign goes well with the style of the building.

Alley Art

Found in the Crossroads Art District

Fun Stores

Right next to Birdie's which I showed you yesterday is two more fun shops; Spool and Peggy Noland.  Both are locally owned.  Spool features local designers, artists, independent labels, vintage and the cutest baby clothes.  Peggy Noland is the place to go for unique, eye catching or unconventional fashion.  Peggy teaches at the Kansas City Art Institute.

I took yesterday and todays photos the morning after First Friday.  The streets are quiet after a lively evening.

Birdie's

In the Crossroads Arts District, Birdie's is owned by Perigrine Honig runner up on Bravo's Work of Art, the Next Great Artist.  Perigrine is among a group to revitalize the Crossroads District with First Friday Art Walk.  The first friday of each month features an art walk in the Crossroads District.  Kansas City's calendar of events are based on First Friday, there is the First Friday weekend Vintage Markets and different metro cities have Second and Third Friday art walks.  First Fridays in the Crossroads Art District are fun events.

Birdie's has luxury intimate apparel and swimwear.  Inside one finds a beautiful artistic experience.

Stuart Hall

Located in the Crossroads District is Stuart Hall, built in 1911. It is adjacent to the Freight House area I've showed recently.  This facility was built by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Nabisco.  The massive brick ovens are still in the building.  Later this building was used as a warehouse for the Stuart Hall Company.  Now this building has been turned into lofts.

TJ's

Kansas City FINALLY has a Trader Joe's.  Two stores opened a month ago in the metro.  I know many of you have this store already but we didn't.  I visited the TJ's in St Louis every time I visited my son but it was difficult to bring back vegies, fruit and meats.  The store is a 30 minute drive from where I live and that is where I visited first thing this morning.

Weekend Reflection - Main Street

The all glass building is the HR Block building, which is relatively new to downtown and very striking in the skyline.  Cosentino's Market is a very fun and good gourmet market for all the downtown city dwellers.  The tall reflected building is the Power and Light building, wish I had realize what I was capturing in this photo and gotten a better reflection of this wonderful old building.  Sometimes while I am sitting at stop lights I just shoot (never fails that the light turns green in the middle of my shot).

Freight House Sight

This is another view from the Freight House parking lot.  I have shown several photos in this area over the last several days.  There in the background is half of the Performing Arts Center right in front of the Bartle Hall Sky Stations that I showed you here.   I love this area of the city.

Looking into Lobby

I took several pictures of the front of the Kauffman Center of the Performing Arts last weekend and the only ones I like were these two halves.  The left photo you can see the gallery sitting in the back with what I take are circular stars.  Since I have almost not been inside, I cannot say exactly what we are looking at.  I do know the lobby is the entire front glass area. 

Across the Parking Lot

Looking the opposite direction from yesterday's photo is the backside of Union Station.   There is a walkway to the right and above photo that brings you over to the Freight House where there is great food; Lidia's, Jack Stack BBQ and Grunauer,  a German and Austrian cuisine.

Through the Vine

Some of you may be familiar with Lidia Bastianich from the Food Channel or cookbooks, her name is well known.  This is her restaurant here in KC just down the street from the Kauffman Center and the food is fabulous.  The space is in a former railroad house and resembles a large Italian farmhouse.  This area is known as the Freight House district and is just north across the railroad tracks from Union Station.

The trees up front are suffering from the extreme heat we have experienced for the last two weeks.  The Missouri river is still high and a major highway north to Omaha is still closed due to flooding.

Kauffman Center of Performing Arts August Update

It is just over one month until the grand opening of the Kauffman Center of the Performing Arts.  Today I was able to get up close to the center.  Many areas are still off limits.  It was just starting to rain lightly, but you can see the humidity in the photos.  Opening weekend is Sept 17th.

First Friday - Vintage Market Weekend

The first Friday weekend is Vintage Market weekend and I was out browsing the Vintage Markets.

Weekend Reflection

Since I've been showing fountains this week, I thought I would bring another of the Liberty Memorial fountain which was also shown as my February Theme Day photo.  Kansas City is known as the City of Fountains.  I had thought about going to the Plaza to take photos of the many fountains but when I saw temps expected in the high 90's I changed my mind.

Brush Creek

Looking off the edge of the Volker fountain into Brush Creek

Volker Memorial II

On each side of the sculptures is a pool of fountains.  I explained yesterday that William Volker gave to Kansas City causes and charities.  Most of his donations were anonymous.  Among his donations was 40 acres and a house just south of this fountain that began the University of Kansas City, which is now University of Missouri - Kansas City

William Volker Memorial Fountain

Those who follow this blog know the names of Kauffman and Rockwell Nelson and now I introduce you to another of Kansas City's philanthropist; William Volker.  Born to an affluent German family who moved to Chicago during William's teenage years.  William began working at a picture framing business when he was 17, he took over management of the company when he was 20.  He went looking for a less competitive market with easy availability of wood and moved the company to Kansas City.  The company expanded into window shades and linoleum, quickly became recognized nationally.  He gave away millions to Kansas City causes and charities.  Carl Milles designed the fountain "St Martin and the Beggar.  The story of St Martin of Tours, a soldier, came upon a beggar on a freezing day and gave the man half his cloak.  The beggar was later found to be Jesus.  St Martin is the saint for generosity.  In the background is the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (if you look closely you can see the shuttlecocks), which I showed you many photos in March and April.

Yesterday was KCDP 1st blogday.  I forgot until after I posted my theme day, actually half way through the day.  One year ago I knew nothing about theme days, weekend reflections, Wed doorways or countless other days.  I also knew little about photography but had always wanted to learn more.  One cannot learn without taking photos and it is no fun taking photos for only one set of eyes.  Little did I know how much I would learn about photos and find such a wonderful and I mean wonderful group of friends and yes I consider you all friends.  I have so much more to learn and share, I have barely touched on KC and hope to introduce you to much more.  Thank you for visiting my blog, your comments and for liking my mediocre shots as well as my occasional proud photo.

Theme Day - Postcard Wothy

What would be more postcard worthy than a museum.

The first day of each month is theme day at City Daily Photo to view other theme day photos:

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