Every year SAMA and SGAA host their annual conferences in different cities across the United States. The 2024 SAMA conference is in Detroit, MI from September 19 to 22, and the 2024 SGAA conference is in Kansas City, MO from October 2 to 6. These conferences offer themed workshops, lectures, and exhibitions. This year, SAMA and SGAA collaborated in curating their conference exhibitions to create a crossover in methods and materials on view. MAI 2024: Mosaic Arts International and the One Hundred Moments Project represent artists from both SAMA and SGAA, and the two exhibitions will travel from Detroit to Kansas City.

MAI 2024: Mosaic Arts International is comprised of two segments – “Fine Art” and “Site-Specific & Architectural Art.” The exhibition includes work by established and emerging artists and celebrates new perspectives of mosaic and architectural art. Forty-one artists from throughout the United States participated in the exhibition.

The One Hundred Moments Project includes work by seasoned professionals alongside enthusiastic newcomers including mosaic, mixed media, stained glass, and fused glass-making processes, culminating in nearly 100 moments of life rendered by artists from all over the world. One Hundred Moments Project is a non-juried collection of works measuring 6 by 6 inches.

MAI 2024: Mosaic Arts International and One Hundred Moments Project will be on view at the Belger Crane Yard Gallery from October 4, 2024, through Saturday, January 4, 2025.

The Kansas City Woodworkers’ Guild host a First Friday exhibition and sale on October 4. The exhibition is 5 to 9 pm, at the Guild shop, 1717 Washington St, and offers handcrafted, locally made fine woodworking, furniture, home decor, woodturning, and so much more.

The Kansas City Weaver’s Guild is our special guest this month.

The celebration continues on Saturday, October 5, noon to 7, with our 40th anniversary party. The exhibition and sale continue throughout the day. Woodworking demonstrations at 2 pm and cake and Betty Rae’s Ice Cream at 4 pm.

Door prizes and a free, personalized gift just for stopping by.

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 Hop’d Lager benefits Hope House KC.

Join us for Happy Hour specials from open-close. Saul’s Beefs will be serving their delicious Italian Beef sandwiches from 5 – 8pm.

Studio Above is a studio/gallery above the Leedy-Voulkos Art Gallery. Five artists work their magic to produce original work for view and sale. First Fridays is the public’s chance to see all the work. Artists are: Nancy Clay, William Rose, Noelle Stoffel, David Uhlig, and Jackie Warren.