Making Do/Making Special is a one-night exhibition to benefit Flourish, Kansas City’s Furniture Bank. In this exhibition, Kansas City area artists are invited to grow thrift into acts of kindness – by creating artwork using recycled picture frames, then donating the finished work to families served by Flourish: A Furniture Bank.

Flourish is Kansas City’s only furniture bank. Volunteers collect donated items to furnish the homes of families overcoming housing insecurity and homelessness. Families are referred by a network of more than 80 social service agencies. Every guest personally shops for all the items needed to make their new house a home.

Culminating in a one-night exhibition and the donation of all works to Flourish, this project highlights the power of art as a social and political force, uplifting people in our community who have experienced violence, displacement, and loss. Both the exhibition and the engagement leading up to it honor the role art plays in everyday life, and the way that intention can transform the commonplace into something special.

Members of the public are invited to a viewing of the work on Monday, May 25 from 5:30 — 9:00 pm, at which time they can learn more about Flourish Furniture Bank and how to support their work, including donating items, volunteering time, and contributing financially.

Exhibition Reception: Monday, May 25 (5:30 – 9 PM)