Cris P. Walker is passionate about creating art that inspires conversation, different perspectives, and reflects the beauty and complexity of the world around us. Her attention to detail, willingness to work hard, and play and explore through the creative process.

“I was born in Denver, Colorado. Have lived in New Mexico, Maryland, Texas, and currently in Kansas. I also lived in Johannesburg, South Africa and London, England. There I was able to further develop art skills through formal instruction and lots of opportunities to practice. I am a first-generation USA born Cuban-American. Yes, I speak Spanish. I live in Kansas with my loving and hardworking husband and two cute dogs. My three (grown) children are my pride and joy.

Amado Espinoza is a unique performing artist, composer and instrument maker from Cochabamba, Bolivia, that respects his folk traditions of the Andes Mountains while creating compositions that are sincere to his musical-wanderlust personality. A graduate of Milan Conservatory in Cochabamba, Bolivia, Amado specializes in the Bolivian Charango, yet demonstrates skill in hand percussion and native flutes from different cultures around the globe. The master craftsmanship of the instruments he constructs, whether it be from wood, metal, coconut or recycled pvc, makes the process of his music-making more organic, innovative, and often surprising.

He is a grant recipient of the Lighton International Artist Exchange Program (2019), Folk Alliance International Music Conference scholarship recipient (2015), ArtsKC Inspiration Grant recipient (2016), Charlotte St. Foundation resident (2015 – 2017) and 2017 Generative Performing Arts Fellow. He composes for film, theatre, and dance, most notably We are the Landscape (2016), a contemporary indigenous stage performance in Kansas City, Mo, The Storytelling Project (2018) with UMKC MFA Theatre Program, and Pachakutec (2019) Bolivian Tour. He co-founded Resonation Music and Arts, LLC with theatre-artist Karen Lisondra to use educational programming to inspire curiosity and respect for world cultures through music, dance, and storytelling.

Torn Label Public House will be open until 10:00PM serving some of Kansas City’s finest ales and lagers and delicious creations from the mind of Chef Vince Brink. The Public House was voted Best New Restaurant of 2021 by the readers of The Pitch, and Chef Vince continues to put out creative takes on classic bar snacks and meals. Our neighbors, Studios Inc, will also be open with their exhibition SPORADIC. This collection was curated by Studios Inc’s interns, Ronnie N. Lawrence and Connor Wallace. That showing will be open from 5:00 – 8:00.

Join us this Friday for a First Friday reception from 5 – 8 pm at Studios Inc, located at 1708 Campbell Street, Kansas City, MO 64108.

Join us for the first public raku firing demo at Belger Crane Yard Studios. Come to the East parking lot to see the Crane Yard Clay and Studios crews demonstrate this captivating firing process that produces unique and surprising results. Visit KCClay.com for more information. In the event of rain, this demo will be rescheduled. Stay tuned to our website, Facebook, and Instagram pages for updates.

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