Kansas City's kickoff to Fall, the nationally recognized Plaza Art Fair, starts on Friday at 5 p.m. Vendors and restaurants are setting up booths, artists are hanging paintings and musicians are setting up the stage.
The artists themselves have built their tents from the ground up, but the biggest transformation is yet to come. In a few hours, the streets will be filled with thousands of people.
That includes something you might not think about at an art show.
The hustle and bustle of 250,000 expected guests can be a lot for a new mom and her child.
That's why last year St. Luke's Health System made a nursing lounge for moms to feed their babies.
This year it's back in a larger space on Ward Parkway between Zoom Toys and Seasons 52. There will even be a spot for dads in a separate area.
St. Luke’s staff said last year it helped parents navigate their schedules.
"They were getting ready to walk to the garage to feed their baby in their car or go home. But, because they found our lounge, they were able to stay and enjoy the fair for a longer time,” explained Meredith Cantrell, St. Luke’s Health System.
Cantrell said a healthy family is especially important to St. Luke’s.
That’s part of the reason it decided to have two bike giveaways at the fair. You just have to stop by its booth at Nichols Road and Broadway for a chance to win. It is retro, patterned after the artwork of the featured artist.
The 2016 featured artist is Seth Smith. He paints in bright colors and epoxy.
“We had to be flashy and use a lot of good design and color to get their attention,” explained Smith.
Smith said he gets a lot of motivation from 1950s and 1960s postcards.
“That’s something that hit me. The design and architecture of a certain era,” said Smith.
This is Smith's fourth year in the art fair. His booth is at Ward Parkway and Broadway.
"So folks kinda know where to find me now," said Smith.
Now every time Smith looks up at the little banners flying over the Country Club Plaza he can’t believe what he’s seeing.
"It's kind of a whirlwind having a painting I made all over the city,” said Smith.
Smith said he does art in several mediums but usually only shows oil paintings.
Be sure to check out the Plaza Art Fair while it’s here:
- Friday, September 23 - 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Saturday, September 24 - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday, September 25 - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There will also be live music on three stages throughout the fair.
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Belinda Post can be reached at belinda.post@kshb.com.
