Harold Smith

January 6, 2020

Arts News: Rare Daguerreotype Gives Insight into Issues of Race

In November, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art announced the acquisition of a rare daguerreotype. The Hall Family Foundation purchased the work for the museum, and..

Articles

November 22, 2019

The Arts in Kansas City Have a Friend in Mayor Quinton Lucas

The arts in Kansas City have a friend in Mayor Quinton Lucas: "To me, arts and culture are essential"

July 17, 2019

Artist Pages: The Art of Black Hair Braiding

I believe that creativity is the child of want. The emotion-rich blood of humanity’s deep need to simply belong flows through creativity’s veins.

June 17, 2019

“Glyneisha Johnson: Bo͝ozəm,” Haw Contemporary Crossroads

The esteemed poet, essayist and playwright Elizabeth Alexander defines “the black interior” as “black life and creativity behind the public face of stereotype and limited..

May 16, 2019

Honors: Sheri ‘Purpose’ Hall

Sheri “Purpose” Hall is an author of three books, including poetry, epistles and a collection of writings titled “Black Girl Shattered.”

April 29, 2019

Bold and Confrontational Display Reflects the Collective Consciousness of the Black Experience

While the nation continues to endure seemingly growing differences between races and economic classes, the exhibit “30 Americans” reminds us that diversity is still, at its foundation, humanity’s most enlightening, enriching and beautifying trait. Featuring more than 80 artworks from the Rubell Family Collection by 30 of the most influential African American artists in roughly the last 30 years […]

November 2, 2018

An Interview with Jade Powers

In late summer, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art announced the appointment of Jade Powers as assistant curator.

April 30, 2018

Championing Kansas City’s Black Arts Scene

Collectively speaking, several organizations are championing Kansas City’s Black arts scene. The brainchild of renowned quilter Sonié Joi Thompson-Ruffin, the African American Artists Collective has..