Art in the Loop Summer Performances & Art Activations Continue in Downtown KC
By Ann Holliday, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Downtown Council of Kansas City
Art in the Loop continues to activate Downtown Kansas City along the KC Streetcar line with 6 art installations on streetcar shelters, one wrapped streetcar, one ongoing community-engaged art project, one ongoing live painting, and six performance events incorporating 17 performing arts groups!
This year’s theme is “Convivencia”, a Spanish word for living together with differences. Convivencia is a shared life with others that is a constant practice, effort, negotiation, and joint achievement while recognizing friction or opposing energy.
The theme is incorporated in the artists’ works and performances; following the links below for more information about our upcoming performances.
2024 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
JULY
KC Streetcar Celebration & Ride | July 17, 5:30 p.m. | Starting at Union Station Streetcar Stop
Join us to celebrate the “Art Car” KC Streetcar #806! Wrapped with artwork by Julia Morris entitled “EPH 4:2”, Morris refers to moments of grace and compassion, and the inevitable moments of friction as portrayed in her digital design. The fluid movement and overlapping colors in the design emphasize harmonious relationships, while rigid forms invite viewers to consider how to engage with people who seem adversarial, needy, or marginalized.
This event will include a high-energy performance by Jamogi and the Jammers at the Union Station Streetcar Stop and remarks by the artist. Guests are invited on board the streetcar to enjoy the Andean and Amazonian instruments, rhythms, and songs of Amado Espinoza and see more of the artwork installed along the streetcar route.
Live Art Installation | July 19, 5 – 7 p.m. | Union Station Streetcar Stop
Susan Moreno will continue painting “Living Together.” Stop by and see the artist at work!
AUGUST
816 Day Celebration | August 16, 5:30 p.m. | City Market
Wrap up a day of celebrating all things local with these fabulous artists:
Interactive Installation | August 25, 9 – 11 a.m. | River Market West KC Streetcar Stop
Join artist Meranda McDermott, as she leads a community project “Threads of Convivencia: Embracing Diversity through Fiber Art” at the River Market West Streetcar Stop. Meranda engages in live sewing sessions at designated times, transforming the space into a hub of creativity and conversation. Guests are invited to join Meranda at these sessions to learn the art of stitching and mending in a creative community.
SEPTEMBER
Oppenstein Park Performances | Sep. 18, 5:30 p.m., Oppenstein Brothers Memorial Park
This cozy pocket park will come to life with music by:
OCTOBER
Annual Art Walk | October 12, 2 p.m.
Join us to meet the 2024 Art in the Loop artists and hear directly from them about why and how they created their artworks as we ride KC Streetcar and walk from piece to piece! The event includes a performance by Liney Blu. More details will be released closer to the event!
Live Art Installation | October 4, 5 – 7 p.m. | Union Station Streetcar Stop
Susan Moreno will continue painting “Living Together.” Stop by and see the artist at work.
Interactive Installation | Oct. 6, 12 -2 p.m. | River Market West KC Streetcar Stop
Join artist Meranda McDermott, as she leads a community project “Threads of Convivencia: Embracing Diversity through Fiber Art” at the River Market West Streetcar Stop. Meranda engages in live sewing sessions at designated times, transforming the space into a hub of creativity and conversation. Guests are invited to join Meranda at these sessions to learn the art of stitching and mending in a creative community.
NOVEMBER
Closing Reception | Nov. 6, 5:30 p.m. at the Kansas City Public Library Central Library
Art in the Loop closes out the year with a reception, artist presentations, and an art-filled evening including:
Learn more about these events on EventBrite, and the 2024 artists on our website, artintheloop.com, and follow us on social media: facebook.com/artintheloop or instagram.com/artintheloop.
We appreciate the generous support of the KC Streetcar Authority, Henderson Engineers, JE Dunn Construction, Stinson LLP, Copaken Brooks, UMB Bank, and the Kansas City Art Institute. This project is funded in part by ArtsKC, the City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund, with public support from the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency, as well as corporate sponsorships and philanthropic contributions.
We appreciate the support and participation of all our project partners including the Downtown Council, Downtown Community Improvement Districts, KC Streetcar, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City Art Institute, City Market and Union Station.
