Celebrating Through Art

Join us on First Friday for our free anniversary block party on June 2, 2023, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. featuring performances by artists Kalyn Fay Barnoski, interdisciplinary artist and musician based in Oklahoma, and Justin Peter Kinkel-Schuster, songwriter and singer based in Arkansas, with DJ sets by Kansas City’s DJ Ice Kole. The event coincides with Kansas City’s First Fridays in the Crossroads event, which features local artists, food trucks, and vendors.

Performance Schedule

6:00 p.m. – Kalyn Fay Barnoski, interdisciplinary artist and musician based in Oklahoma
7:00 p.m. – Justin Peter Kinkel-Schuster, songwriter and singer based in Arkansas
7:30 p.m. – DJ Ice Kole

The M‑AAA exhibition space, The Culture Lab, will feature the ExhibitsUSA exhibition, Shutter and Sound: The Jazz Photography of Bob Willoughby. 

The 50th Anniversary Block Party takes place at 2018 Baltimore Avenue, Kansas City, MO and the M‑AAA parking lot, directly across the street. The event is free, wheelchair accessible, family friendly, and open to the public.

Mid-America Arts Alliance (M‑AAA) provides grants and professional development to artists and arts organizations, peer connections, and traveling exhibitions throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and beyond — all to strengthen and support artists, organizations, and communities.

About the Performers

Kalyn Fay Barnoski (they/them) (Cherokee Nation enrollee, Muscogee Creek descent) is an interdisciplinary artist, musician, curator, and educator from Oklahoma. Centering Indigenous and decolonial methodologies, their work focuses on self-location, community-building, collaboration, and empathy through the use of music, publication, storytelling, and contemporary craft. They hold an MFA from University of Arkansas (2021), an MA from the University of Tulsa (2016), and a BFA from Rogers State University (2012). They are a M‑AAA Artists 360 grantee, Artist Leadership Fellow, and Artist INC Facilitator. www.kalynfaybarnoski.com

Justin Peter (Pete) Kinkel-Schuster (he/him) is a songwriter living in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with his wife and their three dogs. In addition to two solo albums, Constant Stranger (2017) and Take Heart Take Care (2019), he is the principal songwriter for Water Liars and continues to collaborate with Will Johnson on the recording project Marie/Lepanto. For 15 years, Kinkel-Schuster has toured the United States, playing living rooms, bars, and concert halls. His work has been featured in The New York Times, No Depression, NPR, Daytrotter, and his songs have appeared nationally on primetime television and commercial advertisements. In 2020, in support of Water Liars’ fourth album, he launched Constant Stranger Records. Kinkel-Schuster is a M‑AAA Artists 360 grantee. www.constantstranger.com

Come enjoy First Friday + Cinco de Mayo. We have some $5 drink specials today. Once drinks are out, the deal is done, but we made a bunch!

Tap into your wild side at Casual Animal Brewing Company where local beer, plants, and art intersect! Our taproom brims with floor to ceiling greenhouse vibes and graphic design. Enjoy a pint or flight of our 11 rotating taps, including our Local Motive beer where $2 of every pint is donated to a different KC non-profit every two months. This month, every pint of the Local Motive Fruited Sour benefits the Midwest Innocence Project (MIP) working to educate about, advocate for, and obtain and support the exoneration and release of wrongfully convicted people in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Meet some MIP representatives onsite 5 – 8pm to learn more about the organization, volunteer opportunities, and upcoming events!

We are also hosting Four’s Company food pop-up 5 – 8pm with special cinco de Mayo themed food options including southwest egg rolls, guacamole, buffalo chicken dip, chips, salsa, and more!

A self taught artist who loves to tell a story through his work, Jeff Kirby’s work captures those who he has met along his journeys … each has their own chapter to be told!

A retired pastor, Kirby served on the Adult Discipleship Team at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. Among other duties, he led men’s ministries and the Alpha program, for which he is a national trainer. With COR since 2001, Jeff is a national and international educator and speaker, as well as a consultant on leadership development. His Bible study courses at Resurrection often briought in 500+ participants, who come to hear Jeff’s rich and challenging style of teaching.