FEATURED ARTISTS

Kiki Serna

Marylu E. Herrera

Carlos Salazar Lermont

Sumire Skye Taniai

Alej Martinez

Samantha Haan

P.S. is an exhibition that explores the potential of text-image with artists from the region. The artists are working across an expanded field including, photography, video, sculpture, painting and poetry. 

Text and Image are used together in an increasingly flexible fashion and many disciplines and areas of study are now attempting to understand how these combinations work. This exhibition explores and analyzes the various approaches to multimodality and offers a broad, interdisciplinary survey of the text-image relation. This visual communication leads viewers into looking at the number of approaches that are used. It also brings out the strengths and weaknesses of the text-image showcased by artists. 

Visual communications include advertisement language by Skye, plain text use by Alej, ornamentation of the body with photographs by Carlos, statistics and data by Yashira Davalos, language theory by Samantha and language objects by Marylu. 

A native of Kansas City, MO, Melissa McCracken graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from William Jewell College in 2013, but ultimately pursued a career in the arts post-graduation. In 2019, she relocated to Brooklyn, New York to expand her work in synesthesia, a unique neurological condition allowing her to see colors in the sounds she hears. Many of her paintings incorporate vibrant colors and lively textures to depict the movement of music.

Implementing the effects of both palette knives and brushwork, McCracken seeks to convey the swirl of colors embedded deep in her mind’s eye. Layered blossoms of color and streaks of white create cosmic-like scenes, evoking new perceptions of melody and rhythm in her audience. Through her work, Melissa strives to unmask the elusive areas of the world we encounter, allowing a refreshing experience of the familiar.

McCracken’s work has been featured in numerous publications including; MTV news, DIY magazine, NPR Fresh Air, VICE Broadly, CNN’s Great Big Story, Oprah Magazine and Bored Panda. Melissa has also been a featured speaker at TEDxLafayette College in 2016, and TEDxUNC in 2018.

For the past nine years, Four Chapter Gallery has enjoyed a partnership with the Kansas City Art Institute Fiber Department, and each May exhibit the work of a graduating senior.

Visit the gallery to join us in this wonderful opportunity to celebrate and support a young artist who is on the cusp of transition into a new phase of life.

Annalee Hanson’s Lineage examines the intersection of hand weaving and natural dyes within the digital realm. Annalee translates family photographs through a medium that pays homage to the craft practices passed down within the women in her family. Using a digital loom she weaves images to bring the past and present together.

There will be an artist talk on Friday, May 3 at 6:30pm.

We are open from 6 – 8pm every first Friday! Come explore our three floor cafe filled of art. Visual Artists will have tables on the first floor. On the second floor, Performing Artists will showcase work on the hour and half hour between 6 – 8pm. On the roof, there will be live music most first Fridays between 7 – 8pm. Majority of our artists are our talented staff. In addition, Messenger and Ibis will present a special First Friday Menu featuring coffee, pastries, and food. 

Featured Artists Of The Month:

Visual Artists:

Sid Sullivan @donuts_and_daydreams

Spencer Eugene @taxidermy.crows.art

James Holt @j3.illustrated

Performing Artist:

Olivia Emert @olivia_emert / www.oliviaemert.com

Live Music: Dylan Johnson

Special May 3rd Food and Drink Menu:

• Messenger Mule
• Elderflower Espresso Tonic
• Cold Brew Root Beer Float
• Sparkling Lavender Lemonade
• IBIS Pretzels: Classic salted knot with cheese dip & Cinnamon Sugar knot with icing dip\
• First Friday Frank
• Huehue Tenango Coffee Brisket Slider
• IBIS Raspberry Cream Cheese Danish w/ Kahlua Chocolate dipping sauce 

Celebrate Spring with the artists of Studio Above: Nancy Clay, William Rose, Noelle Stoffel, David Uhlig, Jackie Warren and quest artist Jared Green.