First Fridays with Messenger and Ibis: April 5th

We are open from 6 – 8pm every first Friday! Come explore our three floor cafe filled with art. Visual Artists will be featured on the first floor. On the second floor, Performing Artists will showcase their work on the hour and half hour between 6 – 8pm. On the roof, there will be live music most first Fridays between 7 – 8pm. Many of our artists are employees; come see 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

Performing Artist:

Olivia Emert @olivia_emert / www.oliviaemert.com

Special April 5th 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

Glass artists from Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma were invited to submit work to Heartland 6. The exhibition includes selected works by: Karina Boatright (NE), Joey Bourdow (KS), Olivia Brummet (NE), Megan Chalifoux (MO), Kate Clements (MO), Olivia Dobkin (MO), Roberta Eichenberg (KS), Genevieve Flynn (MO), Jessica Gorecki (NE), Swede Hickok (MO), Katie Hogan (MO), Cole Kennedy (KS), Sara Sally LaGrand (MO), Sky Maggiore (KS), Jessalyn Mailoa (MO), Taylor Moore (NE), Emily Nickel (OK), Mary Peterson (MO), Audrey Puckett (MO), Nadine Saylor (NE), Olivia Shelton (MO), Lauryl Sidwell (MO), Pamela Sabroso & Alison Siegel (MO), Kale Stewart (KS), Marie Tabler (MO), Kat Weltha (KS), and Evan Wunsch (MO).

This year’s guest jurors were Samatha De Tillio and Leo Tecosky. De Tillio is a contributing editor to GLASS: The UrbanGlass Art Quarterly and museum curator working with institutions including the Corning Museum of Glass, Museum of Art and Design, and Metropolitan Museum of Art, Smithsonian National Museum of American Art, among others. Tecosky is a Brooklyn-based glass artist with a BA in Fine Arts from Alfred University and an MFA from the School of Visual Arts. Tecosky’s artwork explores the intersection of cultural and craft traditions with influences from hip-hop and graffiti.

“Best in Show” and “Honorable Mention” works and artists will be recognized at the exhibition’s opening reception on April 5 at 6:30pm.

The idea to host an annual “Heartland” exhibition began at Monarch Glass Studio in 2017. Since 2022 Belger Arts has carried on the tradition.

Join us at our intimate event venue for a free drink and a chance to shop some of our favorite local KC artisans & vendors at our debut “Sip & Shop” event.

Featuring: 

Tarot Readings 

Vintage Goods

Handmade Jewelry 

Baked Goods

Photo-op 

& More!

Are you an art enthusiast, aficionado or connoisseur? Then First Friday’s at 1739 Gallery is for you! Some of the most incredible local artist and small businesses together under one roof. Definitely an event you don’t want to miss.

1739 Walnut St | 6 – 10pm | Free Entry

For over 25 years I have been creating artwork utilizing plaster mixed with pigment as a medium. Initial works consisted of architectural and ornamental design, stemming from my employment as a faux finisher. Interior design transitioned into contemporary, so I transitioned too. I chose flora as my new subject, created (mostly) on an x‑large scale, and focused on attaining realism. This meant learning how to blend, shadow and layer, while continuing to use plaster as a medium — an increased degree-of-difficulty and time. Some of my floral works have been embellished with sculpted insects – another creative challenge.

Two bodies of work emerged during the great pandemic of 2021/2022: One encompassed geometry, the other is encompassed in clocks. My geometric pieces, though visually simplistic, contain mind-bending nuances. Chosen from hundreds, possibly thousands of thumbnail sketches and full-size mock-ups, some completed pieces just didn’t translate and were discarded. My repurposed clocks house paintings that complement their frame. Some are of historical significance paired with the year of the clock’s production while others are simply, or not so simply, houseworks of my creative mind. These broken clocks work so much better as a frame for a painting. The sum of their remains will become a greater single work… in time.

Eric Doucette is a self-taught artist. He owns/operates an interior painting business and delves into his art during his spare time. Recent accolades include: Mulvane Art Fair — featured artist. Mulvane Art Museum — purchase. EPIC Systems, Verona WI – gallery purchase. Bourbon County Art Contest – Best in 3‑D, Best in Show, 1st in Mixed Media, 2nd in the theme “Art of Everyday Life.” Lees Summit Art Fair – Best in Show. Eric participates in art fairs and the ArtsKC NowShowing program. He is honored and delighted with his return to the KC Crossroads 1st Friday’s art scene after an 8+year hiatus and will be displaying his plaster, geometry, and clock works.

Do Good Co. donates a percentage of their commission to KidsTLC and Wayside Waifs. With every 1st Friday/Saturday purchase of my artwork on display I will donate an additional 5% of sales to each charity.