Kansas City’s most beloved family-friendly art annual features a variety of art and activities for all ages.
The 34th Brookside Art Annual will welcome thousands to the Brookside neighborhood Friday, May 3rd through Sunday, May 5th with family-friendly activities, local flavor, and 180 juried artists for this annual celebration of art in the city presented by Research Medical Center ER of Brookside.
The Brookside Art Annual is a family-friendly event and a juried art show and is one of the top 20 art shows in the nation. The art annual is a weekend full of award-winning artists, sculptors, fabric artists and more. Local business owners open their doors to welcome people to 63rd Street and Brookside Boulevard to enjoy the community of Brookside.
Hours
Friday, May 4th – 5pm-9pm
Saturday, May 5th -10am-9pm
Sunday, May 6th – 11am-5pm.
Events and Activities for All Ages
While you’re at the show enjoy some of Brookside’s best local restaurants as they serve up a variety of delicious food and drink options ranging from meaty burgers to bacon wrapped dates, and stuffed artichoke to lobster mac & cheese. There’s something for everyone! Savor local cuisine at the north and south end of the art annual from Charlie Hooper’s Bar & Grille, Michael Forbes Bar & Grille, Cosentino’s Market, Avenues Bistro and Topsy’s.
Saturday morning, May 4th, special activities include:
- Chris Cakes pancake breakfast at HJ’s Youth and Community Center, 6425 Wornall Rd, from 8:30 to 10:30 am. ($5, cash only, per person entrance fee).
- After pancakes stay for the petting zoo hosted by ER of Brookside from 10 to 11 am.
- ER of Brookside is also hosting Family-Centered Yoga at the Brookside tennis courts from 9 – 10 a.m. RSVP for Yoga at https://bit.ly/2IbKsH7.
Families can also explore their own creativity at the kid’s tent, sponsored by ER of Brookside and Cosentino’s Price Chopper. Saturday, May 4 from 11am to 6pm and Sunday, May 5 from 11am – 4pm. ER Brookside will host a Teddy Bear Clinic where children can bring their favorite stuffed animal to get a “medical check-up”. Kids can also create their own popsicle stick alligator and paper plate rainbow, decorate cookies, and decorate a pot and plant a flower for Mother’s Day with Price Chopper.
Explore the Art
Visitors can explore and purchase a variety of art forms and talk to artists under the iconic white tents that line Brookside Boulevard.
Brookside Art Annual visitors will be able to meet featured artist Brian Jensen in booth #52 during the show. Brian’s retro-centric, colorful paintings have a distinct vintage look and feel to them and were a perfect match as Brookside celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Brian was excited to use his characteristic vintage style to represent the 2019 show. “When I created the poster for The Brookside Art Annual, I wanted an image that had the look and the feel of the neighborhood. I combined a number of random architectural features into one playful image. The image on the poster reflects what I think of when I imagine Brookside.”
After 30 years as a professional illustrator, Brian made the leap to painting on his own about 10 years ago. He now illustrates with combination of traditional acrylic paint and electronic media. Traditional painting techniques create a warmth that only a human touch can create, and electronic media allow versatile editing and efficient delivery. It also allowed him to connect with audiences in some of his favorite places like Brookside.
Brian’s Brookside Art Annual poster and other original works will be on display during the show. “I love vintage advertising art, poster art, and Art Deco style. You will see all of these influences when you visit my booth.”
About the Art Annual
The Brookside Art Annual is Brookside’s most popular event of the year. For 34 years, people have been celebrating the start of spring with one of the nation’s top 20 art festivals. This brings thousands to the area to shop, gaze and enjoy the weekend in one of Kansas City’s favorite neighborhoods.
For event coverage, those interested can visit BrooksideKC.org, or follow the Brookside CID on Facebook/BrooksideKC, Twitter (@brooksideKCity), and Instagram (brooksidekansascity). #BrooksideArtAnnual
About the Brookside Shops
The Brookside Shops have offered the best in neighborhood shopping, dining, and services for nearly a century. Generations of Kansas Citians have turned to the Brookside Shopping District to meet their everyday needs along with the extraordinary, too. Located in the area of 63rd Street, between Main Street and Wornall Road, over 80 shops, restaurants, and service providers call this area home.
