The west and south facades at the 99 Cent Bargain Market will be the canvas for two new murals featuring Asian-themed images. | Photo by Dorri Partain

Dorri Partain

Managing Editor

Independence Avenue’s bevy of butterfly and truck-eating monster murals will be joined by images of pandas and Chinese dragons to enhance the west and south building façades at the 99 Cent Bargain Market, 5304 Independence Ave.

Artist’s design submissions were due on Aug. 15 and were on display during the Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s (NEKCCC) monthly Tasty Topic Talk luncheon on Tuesday, Aug. 26. In a nod to the Asian-themed project, attending artists and NEKCCC members enjoyed an array of traditional Chinese dishes prepared by Steam Bowl, 5017 Independence Ave.

10 artists submitted 11 designs for consideration — all artists proposed designs that would continue around the building’s corner, transitioning from the suggested panda theme on the west side to a dragon theme on the south side.

Bargain Market owners Ann and Minh Luu requested black and white panda designs to represent the concept of Yin and Yang, representing Balance and Harmony. For the building’s south façade and entrance, they asked for concepts featuring Chinese dragons, known to represent good luck, prosperity, strength and wisdom.

Several artists that submitted designs and attended Tuesday’s luncheon have previously painted murals along Independence Avenue as beautification projects sponsored by the Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and the Independence Avenue Community Improvement District (CID). Meredith Lucius’s design included a pair of pandas munching in a patch of bamboo that transitioned to flying dragons. Lucius — along with artist James Sterling Mead — painted the mural at Mayfair Cleaners (2807 Independence Ave.) titled “In This Together” in 2018.

Last fall, artists Mike Elder and Michelle Renn each painted murals on the opposite walls on the east side of the “Truck-eating” bridge. Elder’s design includes a pair of pandas in the foreground and the warm colors of a sunset in the background to represent “the promise of tomorrow.” Renn’s design envisioned Chinese dragons as kites soaring through the air, along with lanterns and bamboo.

Renn stated this project was “close to home” as she lives a block away from the mural site.

Sheffield resident Phyllis Hernandez incorporated local landmarks within her designs, taking advantage of the opportunity to submit more than one design. If selected, she plans to use the mural project to offer local youth a chance to participate and personalize her design with their own creative concepts. Hernandez completed a mural featuring Folklorico dancers for the east side of the Express Stop (4815 Independence Ave.) building in 2020.

Local cartoon artist Bryan Stalder submitted designs that incorporated familiar images. His pair of pandas are drawn in a similar style as the “Kung Fu Panda” and the dragon design touches on the logo for Worlds of Fun’s former Orient Express roller coaster.

This year’s mural funding was applied for by the Indian Mound Neighborhood Association, through the City of Kansas City’s Neighborhood Empowerment Grant program. The association in turn awarded this grant money to NEKCCC — acting as the fiscal agent of the $15,000 grant — which will compensate the artists, provide materials for the project and include a community celebration when completed.

The 99 Cent Bargain Market is within the boundaries of the Indian Mound neighborhood and has been a consistent target for graffiti and tagging, especially along the Colorado Avenue side of the building.

Jimmy Fitzner, president of the Indian Mound Neighborhood Association, stated during an interview that the short term goal for this mural project was to stop the graffiti. He also hopes this project will increase business at the Bargain Market because “It’s a neat little shop.”

Long term, Fitzner said this project shows investment in that section of the Indian Mound neighborhood and outside visitors will see that “we like to be expressive and artistic.”

Fitzner shared that he is working with Mike Spady — Independence Avenue CID urban planner — to apply for 4th District PIAC (Public Improvement Advisory Committee) funding to install new curbs and sidewalks along Colorado Avenue to create an attractive walkway connector from Independence Avenue to Budd Park.

On Thursday, Sept. 4, a panel consisting of the business owner, and one representative from Indian Mound, NEKCCC and the Independence Avenue CID, will review the entries and select a design. Artists will be notified on Sept. 10 and announced to the public during NEKCCC’s monthly Coffee, Culture and Conversation event on Thursday, Sept. 11.

Mural painting — along with a protective varnished coating — will be completed by Friday, Sept. 26 and a mural “reveal” celebration will take place at the Bargain Market on Saturday, Sept. 27.