Jewish Family Services continues to showcase the importance of making connections and helping others with life’s challenges through its benefit art show, Connection, currently on display at the Buttonwood Art Space as well as online.
The community is invited to participate in a Virtual Art Talk at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, featuring four works from the 163-piece juried show. Marissa Starke, executive director of the Kansas City Artists Coalition (KCAC) will be joined by KCAC board Vice President Katrina Revenaugh to discuss the following pieces: “Circles, Squares & Triangles” by Shelly Pinto; “Boys in the Ouchy Pink Flower Jackets” by Kathleen Ross; “Women with Umbrellas” by Mary Hathaway and “Integrated” by Lorrie Boydston.
“Marissa and Katrina bring such a wonderful perspective to this virtual event,” said Melissa Kingston, JFS Special Events coordinator. “We’re so grateful that they agreed to join us. Because both artists and our presenters are local, they have personal connections that will bring great insight to our audience.”
Those wishing to participate in the virtual Art Talk on Aug. 13 will find a link for it on JFS’ website, www.jfskc.org.
The works of 93 local and regional artists are featured in the JFS art benefit. Artists were asked to use various media to create their works around the theme of connection and what the word means to them. Works include paintings, photographs, 3D pieces, fiber works, ceramics and more. Everything in the show is for sale with a revenue split of 50/50 between the artist and JFS.
The exhibit continues through Sept. 24.
Due to the COVID-19 situation, all pieces in the Connection exhibit can be viewed and purchased from the safety of your home through the Buttonwood Gallery website at buttonwoodartspace.com/show/connection. Those who wish to see artwork in person, Buttonwood is allowing individuals and small groups to make a reservation to visit the gallery through this link: calendly.com/buttonwood/connection-exhibit-tour?month=2020-07. (Note: This link is also on JFS’ website at jfskc.org).
JFS will host a virtual First Friday event on Sept. 4 and that event will include a virtual cocktail presentation as well as demonstration with John Keeling, a local watercolor artist. In addition, a piece by Babs Lowenstein, who is honorary Connection co-chair with her husband Bill, will be auctioned off with proceeds benefitting JFS. Gifts in honor of Bill and Babs Lowenstein can be made at www.jfskc.org/lowensteins.
JFS provides a variety of human services to help people facing life’s daily challenges as well as times of crisis Service areas include Food, Shelter and Employment; Older Adult Services; Mental Health Services; Family Life Education; and Chaplaincy.
Buttonwood Art Space is a community-focused art space and gallery located within the Buttonwood building in midtown Kansas City. For more information about the art exhibition, contact Melissa Kingston, JFS Special Events coordinator, at or call her at 913-327-8254.