By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
Feb. 4, 2011

Thirty-seven artists, including five from Historic Northeast, will be featured this Sunday at the American Heartland Theatre in Crown Center for the Cultures Without Borders Traveling Art Exhibit.

“We are extremely proud that we will be showing work at a new venue,” said Rebecca Koop, president of Northeast Arts KC. “This should expand our audience as those that go to see “No Way to Treat a Lady” will be able to view the work in the theatre’s lobby over the next six weeks.”

To kick off the art show, a reception for the artists and public will be held from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. March 6 in the theatre lobby. Celtic Moon will provide the entertainment and an awards presentation will be held at 8 p.m. A cash bar will also be available.

For 15 years, Northeast Arts KC has sponsored the traveling art show and this year, it’s attracted artists from as far away as Independence, Kan., Topeka, Kan., Lathrop and Plattsburg.

“Our goal is to bring the arts to the Northeast Neighborhood and share our visions of diverse culture,” Koop said.

Asked to describe this year’s exhibit, Koop said, “It’s great art. It’s diverse, it’s interesting. Some is very complicated and some is simplistic…

“Christopher (Leitch, director of the Kansas City Museum) did a really good job of juroring the show and picking the work. He had 111 pieces that were submitted, so he had to cut it in more than half.

“He shared a little bit of the philosophy of trying to make a show that’s coherent, goes together and ties in with the broad theme ‘Cultures Without Borders.'”

Leitch grouped the artwork into five different sections, pairing similar pieces of art together, she said.

Artwork ranges from photography to oil paintings to mixed media to bead weaving, among others.

“It all really came together quite nicely, I think,” she said.

Cultures Without Borders venues

March 6 – April 17: American Heartland Theatre lobby in Crown Center, 2450 Grand Ave., Kansas City, Mo.

April 19 – May 14: Central Bank of Kansas City lobby, 2301 Independence Ave., Kansas City, Mo. Viewing will be during regular banking hours.

May 17- June 24: UMB Bank lobby, 6400 Independence Ave., Kansas City, Mo. A closing reception for the art show will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 23. Light refreshments will be served.

*Koop voiced gratitude to all of the art show’s sponsors, including the area businesses, volunteers, the Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund, American Heartland Theatre, Central Bank of Kansas City, Lighton Fund and UMB Bank.