The end of the year brings significant changes to KC Studio’s roster of columnists. For the past eight years, we have been fortunate to have Julius Karash’s Business and the Arts column, tracking developments citywide at dozens of KC arts organizations. In more than four dozen columns, Karash demonstrated an unparalleled ability to juggle and organize volumes of information into highly readable accounts of the programs and accomplishments that contribute to our city’s vibrant cultural scene. We wish him well in his retirement, and he promises to continue to support the mission of KC Studio.
Recently, we also bid farewell to author and poet Andrew Johnson, who has assumed a new post as editor of the Kansas City Artists Coalition’s relaunched Forum magazine. Since spring 2023, Johnson enlivened every issue of KC Studio with his unique ruminations and insights into a broad swath of topics, beginning with a series of “In praise of” essays, probing the mysteries and delights of okra and owls, sweeping and keeping time, each accompanied by a specially commissioned drawing by the talented Ruben Castillo. Earlier this year, Johnson shifted focus and introduced his “Confluence” series, a perceptive exploration of “moments of confluence in the work and processes of individual artists and art collaborations.” Johnson’s leadership of Forum marks a welcome addition to Kansas City’s cultural discourse.
It’s not all goodbyes on the columnist front. With the November/December issue we are delighted to welcome poet, author and activist Natasha Ria El-Scari, who launches her “The Artist’s World” column with her reflections on the challenges and demands of running an art gallery and her decision to close it. In future columns El-Scari will explore many facets of the artist’s world, including personal relationships, the role of artist collectives and the importance of religion and spirituality.
In closing, I want to offer my sincere thanks to my old friend, longtime professor and author David Cateforis. For several weeks in September and October, Cateforis did a yeoman’s job of unearthing and organizing an unwieldy volume of biographical and professional information on a tight deadline for our obituary about Kansas City artist James Brinsfield, my beloved partner of 40 years, who died Sept. 21. Jim enjoyed good health until his final months. Encouraged in his last weeks by the visits of a small stream of close friends, he drifted away peacefully and painlessly on the couch in his studio, surrounded by his art and music. He asked for no memorials or other formal goodbyes, only, as he said repeatedly in his final days: “Al, don’t let me be forgotten.”
In honor of this last wish, our publisher Guy Townsend, co-founder Heidi Nast and designer Carrie Brophy, elected to feature one of Jim’s last large paintings on the cover of the current issue.
