Kay Hansley is a doula, seamstress, art teacher, dietary manager and artist. She pulls inspiration from all aspects of her life, she said, and isn’t scared to take risks.
“We should never feel afraid to express ourselves and let people see the real us. This was my first time really being able to explain how art puts all the pieces together for me,” Hansley said, previewing her already-filmed appearance during Vine Street Studio Art Gallery’s first virtual art show. “It was really amazing.”
The virtual showing “Vine Online” is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22 — featuring Hansley and four other artists. Click here to view the virtual showcase.
Thursday’s hour-long event is a pre-recorded show with a live musical performance during intermission. Pat Jordan, the president of the Vine Street Studio Art Gallery, said the event is special in that attendees will be able to get to know the artists on a personal level through interview segments.
Kay Hansley; Photo by Stellar Image Studios
“In traditional forms of gallery showings, you don’t get that opportunity to have a very serious conversation with an artist and find out what motivates him or her,” Jordan said. “That story is part of the educational process. Once you know more about an artist, then you have a better understanding and appreciation of the work they produce.”
Jordan expressed her gratitude for “Team SIS” — also known as Stellar Image Studios, a production company co-founded and owned by sisters Jasmine and Amber Baudler.
The virtual art show was sparked after Jasmine Baudler reached out to Jordan through LinkedIn, explaining the possibility of creating an intimate and interactive art show while still keeping it COVID-safe.
“We are encouraging people to comment and engage on [Stellar Image Studios’] YouTube channel where we will be streaming the event,” Amber Baudler noted. “There will be a chat box, and it’s a great way for the community to connect with one another, as well as our team will be active there to answer any questions.”
The event will also be streaming on Stellar Image Studios’ Facebook Live.
Click here to read about how SIS has been staying creative and busy throughout the pandemic.
Felix Maull, Jasmine Baudler, Pat Jordan, and Amber Baudler; Vine Online; Photo by Stellar Image Studios
All three women running the show shared their hopes for the event to raise awareness about Kansas City’s local and underrepresented artists.
“I really want the audience to know how hardworking these artists are,” Jasmine Baudler said, mentioning that she got chills during the interviews. “I want to encourage people to buy local art because it’s so important to support your local artists.”
“I think people forget that artists need to make a living,” Jordan added. “A lot of times, visual and performing artists are taken advantage of. We need to form a deeper understanding of them and the process it takes to create.”
All five artists featured are younger than 30 and attended Paseo High School — creating an extraordinary experience to build a stronger community with familiar faces and hopes they will inspire others, Hansley said.
“It’s so important for our youth to see people — who look like them or came from the same areas from them — excel and express themselves in different ways,” she said. “… Also, it is so hard to break forth in the art community, so this exhibit is really speaking to newer artists.”
Tiana Jones, Isaac Tapia, Xavier Gayden and Rodrigo Alvarez are set to be showcased alongside Hansley.
“You’ll see my work reflect my textile life, some breastfeeding paintings and then one that speaks to COVID — but I’m not going to reveal too much about it,” Hansley teased, encouraging people to register for the show.
To hear Hansley’s story and view her artwork, along with the four other artists, register for the Vine Online here.
