KANSAS CITY, Mo — Connecting with their community —That’s the goal of the 2019 Expressions Art Exhibition on display at the Mid-Continent Public Library, Woodneath Branch, in Liberty, Missouri.
The artwork was created by 21 artists with disabilities ranging from physical disabilities, mental health disabilities and even developmental disabilities.
John Campbell, one of the artists whose work is being showcased, said, “A lot of the artists here, they are able to show their profession in their work. It's not evident what their disability is and so they are able to portray themselves how they want to.”
Other artists selected for the exhibition include Omar Al-Shams, Luna Elfindale, Brandon Aspendleider, Kathleen Atkinson, Troy Berry, Sherri Buerky, Paige Culver, Marci Eddings, Jeffrey Golden, Valerie Grogan, Clint Hanson, Tom Hawks, Alex Krahenbuhl, Taj Moses, Antwan Pettis, Denise Pilcher, Tristan Sherman, Winzel Starr, William Dozier and Alexej Savreux.
The exhibit is being presented by The Whole Person, a nonprofit center for independent living. The organization provides services to people with disabilities and their families.
Lea Klepees talked with 41 Action News on Friday at the exhibit’s first stop, Kansas City Young Audiences in Kansas City, Missouri. “It’s a great way for artists to tell their story, otherwise they don’t really get the opportunity to do that,” Klepees explained.
Campbell enjoys the public’s critiques of his work. “The beauty of it is every person's going to have a different opinion. Everybody has different life experiences so all of that reflects on what they see. They have to find a part of themselves in the work," he said.
The exhibit opened Friday, April 5, and will travel throughout the year to different spaces in the metro area until February of next year.
It will remain in Liberty from April 12 through mid-May.
