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Keep it cheap

Artists, musicians team up for Affordable Art Party

It’d be hard to sell a painting for hundreds of dollars in this tough economic climate. The artist knows it. The buyer knows it. We all know it. But it’s when people are in a bind like this that great ideas emerge. “People don’t seem to buy art in St. Joseph, especially if it’s not someone who’s an established artist. So we’re protesting the high price of art,” says Cory Stephens, founder of keepstjoeweird.com and curator of the Affordable Art Party being held from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Art.I.Facts.

This is: “Blue Jean Baby” by Paul Johnson

Aging gracefully

RRT presents 'Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical' at Landing Playhouse

One of The Who’s most quotable lines would be from “My Generation,” where Roger Daltry sings “I hope I die before I get old.” But the fact of the matter is, that usually doesn’t happen. So, you have to look forward to the glory that is middle age, dealing with losing your hair, physique and memory, menopause and doctor’s appointments, aging parents and empty nests.

The lonely ones

'Solitary: Alienation in Modern Life' on display at Nelson-Atkins

When going through the rotating exhibitions of works in its collection, officials at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art are always looking for a theme — something to tie together a group of pieces from various artists. And Jan Schall, Sanders Sosland curator of modern and contemporary art at Nelson-Atkins, found one — although it wasn’t exactly uplifting.

Easy Street

CAP kids present 'Annie Jr.' at Missouri Theater

In more ways than one, the upcoming Creative Arts Production children’s theater presentation of “Annie Jr.” at the Missouri Theater will be multidimensional. The set and props reflect the comic book world of Little Orphan Annie. A large, rolling pink staircase featuring comic images dominates the stage. Annie, who’s played by 10-year-old Liz Everly, sports a humorously huge red hairdo with long foam curls. Even the props represent a class divide — the rich have foam props and the poor hold ones made of cardboard.

This is: The art of Kendall Blakeney

Some law enforcement officers may not appreciate the work of graffiti artists, but Kendall Blakeney surely does. The 20-year-old visual artist says he finds himself drawn to the colors and the process itself.

This is: ‘Inviting Light’ by Brent Seevers

St. Joseph artist Brent Seevers, 33, loved scenery long before he started painting it. “I’ve always been kind of an outdoors person. Camping. Fishing. Hunting. I’ve always appreciated nature,” he says.

Two for a show

Gallery 7 celebrates its second-year anniversary tonight with celebration

Art galleries don’t exactly have the best shelf life in St. Joseph. So, when Gallery 7, 118 N. Seventh St., celebrated its first anniversary last June, it was a small victory for the art community. Little did they know that the following year would make the art gallery’s continued success a continual challenge.

This is: 'Blind Patriotism' by Chad Albus

Art outdoors

Fresh paint meets fresh air at Art in the Park

Civic Center Park will host Art in the Park — an outdoor visual art show hosted by the Midwest Artist Association — for the 11th consecutive year this weekend. And while the free event gives Joetowners a chance to view and purchase outstanding local artwork, the artists contend that the pleasure is theirs. “Sometimes, being an artist gets lonely,” says colored pencil drawing specialist Wanda Taylor. “Getting out and talking about your artwork feels good. In a way, it validates what you do.”

Show ‘em what you got

Albrecht-Kemper showcases two sides of its collection starting this weekend

The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art loves to bring in various artists from around the region and give them a worthy showcase. Then again, what the museum already has at its disposal is reason enough to pay this St. Joe art institution a visit. In that spirit, and in correlation with the Kansas City Art Institute’s 125th anniversary, the Albrecht-Kemper will present two new exhibits from its collection beginning June 12: “Celebrating 125 Years of the Kansas City Art Institute: Works from the Albrecht-Kemper Collection” and “The European Connection.”

Local Art