Art is fun, vibrant, calming, somber, and often abstract! Most importantly, art is for all. This exhibition, “Abstract: heART for All” will feature original abstract artworks and we can’t wait to see what artists have to submit! Artwork featuring hearts are also encouraged! This theme ties directly with the mission of our benefiting organization, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City (RMHCKC). 

The mission of RMHCKC is to reduce the burden of childhood illness on children and their families. This is accomplished by creating a caring and uplifting environment for families while children receive medical care. As such, this theme is a perfect fit! Artists are asked to submit their abstract works, uplifting work and artwork featuring images of hearts. Artworks may include: paintings, photographs, 3D pieces, fiber works, jewelry and much more!

First Friday will be held on March 4, 2022 in person at Buttonwood Art Space (3013 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64108) from 5pm — 8pm and all are welcome to join!

50% of each artwork sold will go to RMHCKC with the remaining 50% going to artists for their beautiful creations.

Sponsorships opportunities are available as well. Please send a message to Info@ButtonwoodArtSpace.com for sponsorship inquiries.

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Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City alleviates the worry and expense of finding a close, comfortable and affordable place for a family to stay while their child receives the medical care they need. That can make a world of difference to a child bravely battling an illness or recovering from a serious injury.

artist statement

My work alludes to an underlying current of knowing that is governed by feelings and emotions. The images that I produce are symbolic of an inner-personal and vulnerable human existence. They develop their identity through spontaneity, intuition, association, and chance.

In making art, I am only aware of the forces I use in order to move along the course of my pictures. The course of my art is a visual translation of internal feelings, thoughts, and emotions in relation to the inner condition of self.

process

The work involves a variety of materials and processes. The materials used include: paper, paint, inks, marker, pencil, glue and dried paint chips and paint skins. My work involves aspects of painting, drawing, collage and assemblage.

The idea of using dried paint chips came about as a byproduct of the process that I go through when painting on canvas. When working on canvas, I paint and scrape off the paint a number of times to achieve a surface appropriate for the painting. During this process, a lot of paint falls to the floor and dries.

Through this process, I realized the random beauty that lives within the surfaces of the dried paint and decided it was still very much useful. I started re-applying the dry paint chips to my canvases at first, but then discovered the possibilities of scaling down the size of the current work to 5×7 inches on paper. I use the paint chip in its natural form as well as manipulate it to a desired form. I also fabricate acrylic paint skins and then manipulate them into final abstract figures on paper and wood panels. Approaching my work the way that I do, I am able to fulfill a desire to collage, assemble and sculpt without straying from my original discipline of painting.

A large-scale, textile triptych titled Towers by British artist Alice Kettle. The artist created the work in response to the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center. After the work was first shown in the U.S. during a 2009 Surface Design Conference in Kansas City, the artist gifted Towers to the Belger Collection so that it would remain in the U.S. We are honored to have received this special gift and to share it with visitors. To learn more about Alice Kettle, please visit her website.