Chris Hansen, Executive Director for The Kranzberg Arts Foundation, stopped by to talk about the happenings at KAF, including the Music at the Intersection, coming up in September. For more information on MATI, click here... https://www.musicattheintersection.org/  

Angie Villa, Museum Manager at 21 C Museum Hotel St. Louis, stopped by to speak with Nancy about this new hotel and new concept for hotels. 21c Museum Hotels reimagines a historic St. Louis fixture: the 10-story, Renaissance Revival-style YMCA building. Located in the heart of downtown St. Louis, and a short walk from the City Museum and CITYPARK stadium, 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis includes a 173-room boutique hotel, contemporary art museum, Idol Wolf restaurant, Good Press café, and Locust Street Athletic and Swim Club, a full-service wellness center. With more than 14,000 square feet of exhibition and meeting & event space seamlessly integrated into all areas of the property, there are opportunities to discover contemporary art around every corner.

Gerald Brooks, Chairman of the Board for The African Heritage Association, stopped by to speak with Nancy to talk about the St. Louis African Arts Festival. The first St. Louis African Arts Festival was held in 1991 as an outgrowth of the 34th Annual African Studies Conference hosted by Washington University.  A year prior to the conference, a group of academic, business, and community leaders came together to explore ways in which a forum could be established that would bring the  diverse community of St. Louis together for the purpose of learning and celebrating the rich and diverse cultures of African and African American  people. The mission of the festival is to increase the awareness of the global contributions of African people and people of African descent have made through art, cultural, and educational programs. The St. Louis African Arts Festival is held in beautiful Forest Park. Each year the festival attracts a diverse audience of thousands of local residents and out-of-town visitors during the Memorial Day weekend. The Festival draws the community together in celebration of the rich contributions of Africa and the African Diaspora (diaspora–people settled far from their ancestral homelands).  This year's festival happens May 25,  26, and 27 in Forest Park.

Dana Turkovic, Curator at Laumeier Sculpture Park, stopped by to talk about the happenings at the park, including Hugh Hayden: American Vernacular through May 12th. ----- American Vernacular, Hugh Hayden’s first Midwest solo presentation explores a decade of his work in a variety of mediums including newly commissioned works. The exhibition will be on view through May 12, 2024, in the Aronson Fine Arts Center’s Whitaker Foundation Gallery and in the Outdoor Galleries, near The Way Field. This exhibition was organized by deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in consultation with Laumeier and will debut at Laumeier before its presentation at any other U.S. venue. Hayden’s vision draws from his personal memory and experience as an American and African American, born and raised in Texas. Growing up Black and gay in the South, and later training and working for a decade as an architect before becoming an artist, Hayden’s work merges organic materials with built space, and draws on folk and fine art vocabularies to capture various aspects of the artist’s personal biography and lived experiences. ------  

Model Maker Artist Tom Casey stopped by to talk with Nancy about his life and career. Tom is an artist who has been making artistic models all his life, but chose a life at sea. After retiring after 40 years as a sailor, he began to concentrate on his art, making about 70% of his life's artistic work. He has an opening of his work at the French Curve, on May 3rd.    

Brian's work is inspired by and questions American society's live-to-work mentality. He is concerned with the cultural and environmental effects of this obsession, as well as the physical and mental health ramifications. In 1931 distinguished economist John Maynard Keynes published a short essay, Economic Possibilities for Our Grandchildren, where, among other ideas, he states that by 2030 the standard of living would be dramatically higher; people, liberated from want (and without the desire to consume for the sake of consumption), would work no more than fifteen hours a week, devoting the rest of their time to leisure and culture. His work envisions a world where his prediction has come true.

In 2015, the Saint Louis Visionary Awards were relaunched by an independent committee of women to celebrate the numerous contributions and achievements of women who work in or support the arts in St. Louis. From established working arts professionals and arts educators to emerging artists and community impact artists, each year's honorees are truly "visionary". This years award ceremony happens Monday, April 29, 2024 6:00 - 8:00 PM at The Sun Theater, 3625 Grandel Square St. Louis, MO 63108.  

Bryan Knicely, Executive Director of Craft Alliance, stopped by to talk with Nancy about the offerings of the organization. Craft Alliance offers classes in ceramics, wood, metals, blacksmithing, glass, fibers, print, and paper arts. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, They have something for everyone!  

Moraa, is a passionate artist specializing in fashion and textiles, drawing inspiration from her rich cultural traditions. With seven years of experience in the Kenyan fashion industry and an MFA in Fibers from SCAD in Savannah, GA. Moraa’s expertise lies in preserving traditional practices through her innovative textile explorations. From her early exposure to fabrics in her mother’s boutique, she developed a deep fascination with colors, textures, and drapery. Moraa’s work is a tribute to her ancestors, recreating the textures, shapes, and emotions associated with traditional body adornment practices. Through unconventional textiles, she simulates skin, hairdos, and beaded jewelry, transforming forgotten traditions into unconventional yet beautiful textile surfaces, challenging negative perceptions, and celebrating the beauty of her heritage.

 Vanessa Rudloff, Arts Relations Manager for ANGAD Arts Hotel stopped by to speak with Nancy about the institution. ---- The ANGAD Arts Hotel is a unique hotel experience with room colors based on Mood, and art everywhere. They also feature art exhibitions, concerts at their rooftop bar, and great food. -----