Artist-Run Galleries Dazzle
In 2021, the Site Series was conceived collectively and launched independently here in Kansas City. Each quarterly installation offers a one-day, outdoor art exhibition provided by artist-run and independent spaces, as an opportunity to activate public locations. Each iteration of the Site offers a different context for experimentation and a shared experience that expands the reach of each venue, while bringing increased awareness to individual artists invited to participate. Galleries and artists both are encouraged to adapt and improvise with location, weather conditions, and historical significance, in order to create site-specific installations that both compliment the local surroundings and are accessible to community members. Site One was hosted in November 2021 at the former Robert H. Gillham Fountain and Wading Pool in Gillham Park (“The Slabs”), while Site Two was presented pond-side at Loose Park in April 2022. Both these locations are in midtown Kansas City.
Eva Ilarena
The Site Series developed during the pandemic. During this time, our group consisted of a small percentage of artists and artist-run spaces (Troost Gardens, plug, Beco Gallery, Sapien, The Ekru Project (which I founded), Kiosk, and Curiouser & Curiouser), all struggling with the scarcity of resources directed toward artists and organizations in Kansas City. Many of the artist-run spaces included in the Site series are completely out-of-pocket endeavors, consisting of local artists who volunteer their labor and time to produce thoughtful and timely exhibitions. Our biggest hurdles are the lack of resources, gallery patrons, or collectors in Kansas City, where most funding goes to nonprofits, museums, and commercial galleries. Artist-run spaces are left to grassroots funding, self-promotion, and income from individuals’ own art careers and day jobs. Artists managing these spaces are left pushing a boulder up a hill while the cost of living rises, small galleries are phased out, and droves leave the city for more dynamic metropolitan areas.
Nicole Rene Woodward
The challenge of this series is to address how we encourage and educate ourselves and the public about the importance of living and engaging with art and community. How do we cultivate a sense of culture and welcome constructive criticism? How can we create a sense of belonging and community while still producing top quality works? The Site Series hopes to motivate a new generation of artists and collectors while sparking new networks and stronger relationships between members of the local art community. This promotes many different benefits, such as economic growth, artistic development, and a sense of camaraderie, just to name a few.
Site One
What makes the Site Series so special is the concept of an inviting public space, which makes the art more approachable for people who stumble upon it. For instance, I’ve observed people stopping in their tracks to take photos of the installations, and walking through the artworks like a maze. Family members gather around soft sculptures. Children feel comfortable enough to kick around soccer balls and climb trees near the art. There is none of that stuffy, white cube atmosphere that makes many people feel confined and unattached. Here, people can lay on the grass for hours, if they please. Collectively, the organizers agreed that the Sites should be centralized, easily accessible, and focused on bringing joy and fulfillment to participants and spectators alike. We aim to evoke a particular geography of play and enchantment, and encourage the audience to bring their kids, friends, family, and pets. The hope is that someone in the crowd will ultimately be inspired to do something similar—to feel encouraged to pursue their own DIY endeavors.
Erin Conyers
Members of the Site Series take each location into account. The series of outdoor art exhibitions take into consideration that each artist-run and independent space collaborates together and transforms various locations around the Kansas City area into hotbeds of experimentation and production of iconic exhibitions that ripple through the local art scene.
