Hackberry Stage Creates Gathering Space in Maple Park

Artists Jay Williamson and Caroline Cramer work on a painted design to complete the Hackberry Stage. Photo by Dorri Partain.

Dorri Partain
Managing Editor

Nestled between shady Hackberry trees, a concrete pad in Maple Park (1832 E. Missouri Ave.) is being artistically transformed with an intent to create an interactive area for children.

This purple-outlined design motif — resembling a stained glass window where children can chalk inside the “window” spaces — covers both the 16 by 16 foot “stage” and an 18 foot pathway that leads from Maple Avenue to the stage. Text painted on the walkway denotes this area as “Hackberry Stage.”

This project was designed by Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) illustration students as a companion to the “goat trailer” mural completed last spring. Under the direction and assistance of Hector Casanova — Pendleton Heights resident and KCAI associate professor — students Jay Williamson, Caroline Cramer and Ella Hourigan designed and executed the goat mural before graduating in May.

Complications from summer weather and work schedules kept the three from completing the stage’s paint application in June, and the project was reduced to two artists when Hourigan moved back home to South Carolina.

With cooler weather ahead, Williamson and Cramer have returned to Maple Park to collaborate on this project and expect to have Hackberry Stage’s artwork completed later this week.

Funding for this project comes from the Community Capital Fund and is part of Pendleton Heights (PH) neighborhood’s on-going Fairy Lights & Murals project that began in 2023. The concrete pad that’s becoming Hackberry Stage was poured last fall, according to project coordinator and resident Linda Fleischman.

“The strategic positioning of Hackberry Stage offers additional advantages,” said Fleischman. “The shade from the surrounding trees will provide a welcome respite from the summer heat for young (chalk) artists and anyone seeking a cool break. Furthermore, its proximity to a light pole offers the flexibility to electrify the stage area for future events that might call for that.”

PH resident Arthur Curiel has assisted with seeking grant funding for this project and shared that prior to the creation of the stage area, that section of Maple Park was a barren spot that was muddy following rain. This stage’s inaugural event was last year’s neighborhood soup potluck, SoupTober, which is planned again this year for Sunday, Oct. 26.