You are invited to join us tomorrow for the last First Friday Celebrating Local Women Artists in Kansas City!

Friday, May 5th, we will be the last opportunity to view and purchase a diverse group of women artists’ works in our office/gallery.

Some of the most talented and creative artists live in KC! Come out, bring a friend, family, or co-worker, and show your support for First Fridays in the Crossroads Arts District with Lexitas.

Meet the Artists! Enjoy complimentary drinks and appetizers! 

Friday, May 5, 2023, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. — 1608 Locust Street, Kansas City, MO 64108

William Rainey 

(American, b. 1943)

As I have been in the process of simplifying my work, I find that there is much more going on that is unseen. I believe painting is a series of adjustments no matter what the subject matter or lack thereof.

Continuous change occurs until the painting says we are done. My job as artist is to know when to stop.

Take time to look…there is more than first meets the eye.

Rainey received he first art award 53 years ago and since has attended Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass Village, CO and the Santa Fe Institute of Fine Arts, Masters Program. Represented exclusively by Blue Gallery since 2000, William Rainey’s paintings can be found in private and corporate collections worldwide. Select corporate collectors include; Shook, Hardy & Bacon, Kansas City, MO, Data Systems International, Kansas City, MO, Restaurant Management Company, Wichita, KS, Missouri Bank, Kansas City, MO, Lanard Toys Ltd., Hong Kong, and The Conafay Group, Washington, DC.

Jones Gallery May Group Art Show!
First Friday opening, May 5th..
Artist reception is from 5 till 9pm. All welcome and always free.
Also with 150 pieces on display, both local and national Artists
Show runs thru May 25th.
Also open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Closed Sunday
Jones Gallery 1717 Walnut, KCMO. 64108
816 – 421-2111
https://jonesgallerykc.com/

Please join us this Friday to celebrate First Friday here at the Hotel Indigo in the Crossroads! We will have drink specials from our Jim Leedy bar, live music played by Jay Melody and Co, and we will be welcoming local vendors, including Backroad Belle Designs, KCC Patches, Handcrafted DT Woodworks, Teddy Bear Bandana Co, What the Book? Hope to see you all there! 

Artist Statement:

My art morphs different mediums into visual meditations and dream-like imageries. Creating is therapeutic, a form of alternative medicine for me. As an artist, I create forms of communication from the subconscious and conscious state of mind. I am constantly learning and listening to my personal visions. I have a strong need to create something that is healing for myself and possibly a connection for others. Drawing intricate line patterns compared to sand painting or the cracks in your hand is the way for me to have the introspection of self-like meditation. Which in turn, creates a positive impulse of calmness, intensity, or a balanced flow. I create because it stimulates an internal mind-bending effect of my center that takes me somewhere else. This kata (form) of expression is an escape from my current reality to release an honest and raw output of my existence through creativity: To visually twist a space with or without technology to amplify a human experience. With spontaneous and or controlled movements with patience and thought, I like to integrate the environment with unique visuals and collaborations with video and sound waves. This expanding language is interpreted with personal contemplation. 

-Adrian Halpern 

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Rich “JKR70” Lester is a music producer, audio engineer, and visual artist from Kansas City, Mo. He has over 25 years of experience in his art form. 

Artist Statement:

I am formerly of the Hip Hop group Human CropCircles. I have worked with Ces Cru, Sage Francis, Young Rob, Romy of Macromantics, Red Dot Didactics, Rough Draft, Approach of Dat Gang/Datura Records, Milkdrop of Dat Gang/Datura Records, Lucid Flows, Lou Rip, Donald “Scribe” Ross, Anti Crew, Sike Style of Sike Style Industries, Flavor Pak, and Liz Suwandi to name a few.

I have happily worked with Adrian Halpern off and on for approximately 15 years on various art/ audio collaborations, most of which can be enjoyed at www.adrianhalpern.com. This current collaboration was a bit of a departure from our usual dynamic. This time I was asked to compose audio based on the overall vibe of seeing Adrian’s process. I took inspiration from conversations, text correspondence, and viewing his art at various stages during his process over a 45-day period.

The audio you’ll hear at this showing is the result of that inspiration. It was quite fun as well as a bit challenging at times, I do hope you enjoy it.

-Rich “JKR70” Lester