Elisabeth Kirsch

Elisabeth Kirsch

Elisabeth Kirsch is an art historian, curator and writer who has curated over 100 exhibitions of contemporary art, American Indian art and photography, locally and across the country. She writes frequently for national and local arts publications.

Revisiting ‘The King of Kings County’

Now, with the historic decision to rename the J.C. Nichols fountain and other Nichols memorials in response to these protests, it seemed a good time to revisit Whitney Terrell’s groundbreaking 2005 novel, “The King of Kings County,” inspired by the racist real estate covenants that formed many of the residential neighborhoods in Kansas City.

Arts News: Saving a Kansas City Treasure

Talented, sometimes troubled and often ill, Arthur M. Kraft (1922 – 1977) forged a major art career in his native Kansas City, while exhibiting throughout the United States and Europe. Now the fate of one of his foremost contributions to the city — a mosaic mural of a joyful, playful circus panorama, is uncertain. The […]

“Hung Liu: Seedlings,” “Anne Austin Pearce: Path” and “Mary Ann Strandell: The Conversation,” Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art

“Hung Liu: Seedlings,” “Anne Austin Pearce: Path” and “Mary Ann Strandell: The Conversation,” Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art

Given the miseries of the current summer, Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art gallery’s exhibit of new work by Hung Liu, Anne Austin Pearce, and Mary Ann Strandell is a welcome tonic. Installed separately, each show is a knockout. These three artists couldn’t be more different stylistically; they have very distinctive, confident voices in their choice of […]

“Dark Paintings Redux by Jim Sajovic,” Leedy-Voulkos Art Center

“Dark Paintings Redux by Jim Sajovic,” Leedy-Voulkos Art Center

Jim Sajovic created his “Dark Paintings,” eight of which now hang like specters in the closed Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, from 1991-95. They were the artist’s demonstrative response to images of horrendous oil fires in Kuwait during the gulf wars, and to civil wars in South Africa and elsewhere. Pain and disaster fill the various picture […]