Julia Williams
Julia Williams
Editor-in-Chief
A sea of quilt patterns will soon line the alley, which runs between Gladstone and Benton Boulevards— from North to South and between Sixth and Seventh Streets East to West — within the Independence Plaza Neighborhood Council (IPNC) as part of an alleyway enhancement mural.
What IPNC is referring to as “Art Alleyway” is in the process of utilizing grant dollars from Kansas City’s Community Capital, Neighborhood Rising Fund to improve the safety and visibility for the community within one of its alleys.
After receiving grant funding, INPC Member and Alley Project Manager Megan Morgan said the Council knew they wanted to transform this space into an art alley — much like similar projects completed in Pendleton Heights — however, a theme was not yet selected. While Morgan shared IPNC has received this grant funding for the past several years, this is the first time funds will be allocated toward an art alley project.
“We have alleys that just aren’t the safest,” Morgan said. “We knew we wanted to do something around alley safety and enhancing alleyways.”
One reason this alley was selected over others within IPNC, Morgan shared, is due to the amount of traffic it receives as well as incidents that have occurred surrounding it — including a house fire.
Once the alley was selected, INPC held a call for ideas, asking its residents what kind of project they wanted to see completed in this space. An initial proposal submitted by a neighbor included a PowerPoint of a Kansas City Urban Barn Quilt Trail — painted wood or metal that resembles a quilt block, that is hung on fences, garages and barn doors. Inspiration for this idea was pulled from a similar project, which was completed in East Grand Rapids, Mich., and is considered the U.S.’s first Urban Barn Quilt Trail.
Pulling from these previously completed Urban Barn Quilt Trails for inspiration, this alley will feature quilt patterns from the Kansas City Star Quilt sampler — a book by historian Barbara Brackman, which includes over 60 quilt patterns that were published in the Kansas City Star from 1928 to 1961.
Two factors that drove IPNC to select this theme included limited funding and a desire to include children and families.
“We didn’t have a huge budget to pay artists; we need people to volunteer for it [with] quilts, you don’t have to be an artist to do some of these designs,” Morgan said. “Knowing neighbors have done them, it’s something to be proud of that they can show people.”
These patterns will be painted on 15 panels — five completed by professional artists and the remaining 10 designed by IPNC residents.
While Morgan shared the amount of grant funding received will cover project material costs including metal sheet panels, exterior paint and brushes, these dollars will not cover artist payment. IPNC has sent out letters and requests for funding to pay these five professional artists, however, they do not have any committed funders at this time.
These panels will be hung on five garages, which all of those residents have agreed to, as well as fences throughout the alley. Morgan shared that while she has contacted and received approval from many neighbors on panel installation, she will continue to knock on doors, asking permission to display panels on residential fences.
“My hope is that people will see the alleyways,” Morgan said in an interview. “When people go on walks, I hope they will go through the alley as part of their walk.”
Throughout this process, IPNC has had conversations with Pendleton Heights — who has completed various alley mural projects across its neighborhood — for suggestions on implementation and functionality.
One suggestion Pendleton Heights offered includes to apply a clear coat to the panel for weather and graffiti tagging protection.
IPNC hopes to have Art Alleyway completed by Oct. 1, as the Northeast Kansas City Historical Society will feature IPNC on this year’s homes tour, Saturday, Oct. 11.
To aid in project completion, IPNC will be utilizing its Dumpster Days — which occur on the first Saturday of each month — throughout August and September to hone-in on alley clean-up.
And Morgan shared the aspect that she is most looking forward to throughout this project is the impact it will have for IPNC and its residents.
“The most exciting part is seeing neighbors excited about something positive; I hope it draws more people into [IPNC] meetings knowing we’re doing something positive, not just focusing on negative things. We want everyone to enjoy it, no matter who you are.”
For those who have questions or are interested in contributing to the Art Alleyway project, they are asked to contact Megan Morgan at: info@ipnc-kc.com.
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