Art in the Loop 2023

ART IN THE LOOP ANNOUNCES 2023 VISUAL ARTISTS

The KC Streetcar Authority and the Art in the Loop Foundation (AILF) are pleased to announce the 2023 Art in the Loop visual artists and art installations.

This year marks the tenth year for the Art in the Loop Project, which includes artwork based on photography, painting, digitized illustrations, paintings, and more. The Art in the Loop Project is a curated outdoor exhibition of temporary artworks presented in partnership with the KC Streetcar.  Artists responded to the 2023 theme of “Celebrate” by addressing questions about how one defines celebration, what are the intersections between art and celebration, and what celebrating Downtown Kansas City looks like.

Artists are selected for the annual program through an online application process open to artists in the greater Kansas City area. A selection panel consisting of local artists, curators, educators, and community members reviewed over 100 applications and selected 8 artist teams.

The following artists’ works are displayed at KC Streetcar stops and on one KC Streetcar vehicle, #804, between June and November 2023. You can find images of each installation online at www.artintheloop.com and by visiting the below locations.

Artist and Art Installations:

• Arin Yoon, Here, With You, at the River Market North Streetcar Stop
• Adrianne Clayton, The Little Princess, at the ARTwall at 13th and Grand (Install later this summer)
• Bubblegum Kurt, Party Balloons, at the Crossroads Northbound Streetcar Stop (Install to start July 7th) 
• Fred Trease, Disco Cloud, on KC Streetcar #804
• Isaiah Lee, Demonstrations 3, at the Metro Center Northbound Streetcar Stop
• Kaitlyn B. Jones, How to Build an Altar for the Living, at the Library Southbound Streetcar Stop
• Khyneesha Edwards, Black Boy Joy, at the Union Station Streetcar Stop
• Madeline Marak, Flower Garden, at the River Market West Streetcar Stop (Install to start July 7th)  

CLOSING RECEPTION

The public is invited to celebrate what made Kansas City’s 2023 Art in the Loop Project great at a special closing reception. The curated outdoor exhibition, staged in partnership with the KC Streetcar Authority, wraps up with a reception, illustrated review, and reflection on this year’s entries.

Art in the Loop organizers and participants look back on the artistic works and performances featured from June to September. Art directors Jade Osbourn and Marissa Starke will lead a presentation highlights all the offerings, and selected artists present their works and discuss their experiences.

The event includes musical performance by Kirstie Lynn and Galen Clark

The closing event is co-presented by the Art in the Loop Foundation, the Downtown Council and KC Streetcar Authority. A reception and live performance will start at 5:30 p.m. followed by the program at 6:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public but RSVPs are encouraged.

The 2023 Art in the Loop Project is provided artistic guidance by Marissa Starke, who is serving in her first year as the visual art director, and Jade Osborne, who is serving in her first year as performance art director for Art in the Loop.

In addition to the KC Streetcar Authority, other Art in the Loop partners include the Downtown Council, Downtown Community Improvement Districts, the Kansas City Art Institute, and the AI Hub. The AI Hub is located in the River Market and is a creative co-working space that caters to artists, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. This year marks the first time Art in the Loop is partnering with the AI Hub and they have been instrumental in providing the 2023 visual artists with the technical tools to bring their art to life on the KC Streetcar shelters and streetcar vehicle.

For Art in the Loop questions, contact Art in the Loop Visual Art Director, Marissa Starke, marissastarke@gmail.com, or Program Director, Ann Holliday, ann@downtownkc.org. For more information about this year’s project, visit www.artintheloop.com, www.facebook.com/artintheloop, or twitter.com/ArtintheLoop.