It's "Sew" Good When the Community Comes Together Creatively: Art Classes, Shows & More...
Meditations on Mending
It's me, Polly Alice Artist. I'm sitting here after a walk through what is left of the wilding cherry tomatoes. The water company trucks that run next to our house are quiet cause they are closed on Sundays. The train has stopped blaring by for a moment, the dog has quit barking at the grocery and package deliveries and is silent (not bothered that they brought avocados instead of something else). The construction has stopped at the house next door, and even the cicadas are silently sleeping. It's the first fall evening with the sun setting on the wet grass, and I can just sit for a minute and admire the clouds. I'd like to keep sitting as long as the bugs will stop biting me, but I've come in to write you a note that says we are all in this together.
What I have learned from all of you is more than I've ever learned on my own. Each day, I am astounded by your creativity, your ingenuity, your resourcefulness, your ability to laugh, to sing, to pray, to dance, and to make do. Sitting in the art gallery each day, Wednesday to Saturday, many artists come in; they might surprise me with long-lost art, or sing a serenade on their guitar. They are from other towns and countries; they are revisiting their old neighborhood, or they've never been to the artist district before. They might bring in a small child in tow, or their spouse, or mother, or best friend. Each moment is unique and beautiful when we are sharing our creativity together and making the invisible visible. I'm so honored to be a part of your journey. When I take time to stop and make art, sew, paint, write, I put words and colors in order and adjust until they seem beautiful. I don't know, but the process mends me too. It's it funny how some of us feel better when we make a cake, trim a garden, tuft a rug (I met Yarn Rambo in person this weekend), or style clothes and hair. There is some things that are just mending to the soul. It's not only fun to create, it's neccessary. And so the second step is sharing what we make... Let me know what you're making, or come on out and meet all the makers at the gallery this month.
If you are in town near Kansas City, you will love the class opportunities we have coming up. We are developing online classes as well. Writing Short Stories on Thursday nights at 6 pm and Poetry on Saturdays at 10 am are online! Check out our classes on our website. More to come. Read on about the upcoming shows and events. New classes start this week. Please help me share our classes. Please forward them to your friends, It's so hard to start something new, and many hands will get us going. We need you!
Thank you, everyone! I had two subscribers to my substack. Thank you, Blake C! My Substack is starting. If you love reading my newsletter, there are now more meditations to read on art and creativity, as well as funny stories, poems, art, and more. Consider supporting my work by subscribing for new art, poetry, snail mail prints, podcast links, creative meditations, stickers, and more. If just 120 of my 1200 readers subscribe, I can do all sorts of amazing things like support more artists, show more art, and order new glasses to help me see my way to new creative work!
Thank you all so much. What a thrill to have a place to share more deeply. So I will be doing more of my writing, poetry, and art there for those that enjoy.
Third Friday Art Walk & Happy Anniversary Creative Spark Gallery
It's "Sew" exciting to have fiber and Textile artists featured in the gallery this month for our one year anniversary of our art gallery & studios. Thank you to Karen E. Griffin (KE), our curator. She's put together a brilliant show of art. Plus, there is a Textiles Portraits show across the street at our neighbor, Art Center, Englewood Arts.
Friday night, Enjoy coming out for Sept. 18th for a Third Friday Art Walk with live music by Tyrone Clark. Tour the new show, 8 art studios, and a solo show by Gabriela Franco Perez.
Enjoy the 17th anniversary of the Englewood monthly Third Friday Art Walk. Take a walk around the neighborhood to see blown glass, silver jewelry, artisans, a blacksmith shop, a puppet museum and show, live music, food trucks, and more. Stop in to Winner Market for a free piece of chicken, or try their magical fried fish. Don't forget Nirvana Coffee & Games and Andeus Mineral & Crystal Shop
We are honored to be part of the neighborhood. We are Creative Spark Gallery at Englewood Row in the Englewood Arts District in Independence, MO.
MISSED THIRD FRIDAY? NO WORRIES
Come back for :
1) September 26th | 11am - 3pm. Artist's Demo Day Artist Conversations, Saturday,
2) Fourth Friday 7 pm Opem Mic poetry and Songwriting
Teaching Artists Share with New Students & Neighbors, that's you!
The Spark is all about community-focused programming with classes and events in fine art, yoga, storytelling, poetry, and artist entrepreneurship. Creative Spark’s vision is to reignite artistic energy and connect the creative community among Independence and KC area creatives.
Fridays 1 pm to 3 pm: Art School (drawing, watercolor & painting)
hosted by Carole Pom, former Disney portrait artist.
Take any four classes or all 12.
Wednesdays 7 - 8 pm,: Join us for KIDS Improv & Drama.
Ages 7 to 15
hosted by Dr. Jeanne Beechwood
MARTIN CITY MELODRAMA $15.
YOGA & Meditation Sign Up!
Tuesdays Noon- Starting Sept 22nd
Gentle Yoga in the gallery with Tasjha Dixon. $20; get
$10 off when you buy four classes.
Tuesdays at 4:30 pm, starting Sept. 22nd
Restore Yoga with Katie Coen.
$25, get the first class free.
3 Sundays, 10 am to noon
Sept 20th, Oct 11th, Nov 8th
Step into Your Power
Start living out loud with an “Honoring Your Story” Experience
with WithinbyJen. $96 early bird/ $111
Thursdays 6 pm: Online and in person
Short Story to Publishing
with Rebecca Tombaugh, journalist, writer, artist.
Take any four weeks or all 12.
Join the Lake Moon Literary Anthology.
4th Fridays 26th, 7 pm- Open Mic Poetry.
Mssg me to be a featured poet.
Every other Saturday starting Sept 19th 10 am
Poet's Corner with Polly: Prompts & How-tos
online or in person $15
and more...
Paint 'N Sip Parties: Plant 'N Sip, Craft 'N Sip coming up
Oct 3, Oct 13th, Nov 7th, Dec 5th
Judy Bliss & Martha E. Ryan
Solo Art Shows on and off site!
Gabriela Franco Perez is a Missouri artist who paints in oil. Gabriela studies fine art at Johnson County Community College, and you can find more about her work on her Instagram @gab1per3zz. See her show at Creative Spark Gallery in our Rousseau Space. To apply to show in our solo space or in offsite solo shows with us on our website. 2027 applications due Oct. 1st.
Want to show in a local business? Our first off-site show will be at Elevator Space this November. We are so honored to work with a local business to make blank walls into energized spaces full of life and color with work by artists like you. If you know local businesses in need of an art rental service that includes receptions and team-building art experiences, please contact creative spark gallery at gmail.com
New Studio Artists, Welcome
Welcome Robert Fleming in our Monet Space, find his art online at Tiny Print Boss. His whose work ranges from photography, 3D printing, floral & interior design, and more. Come meet him this third Friday!
CALL FOR ART
Deadline November 1st Midnight
WE WANT YOUR ART
Submit art of all mediums and small sculptures for fabric and textiles. Curated by Mary Young: A night-themed gallery experience where art, music, and atmosphere merge into an immersive, romantic darkness. “Nocturne” is a generic musical term, elegant and evocative without narrative borrowing. Visual Motifs: Night imagery, low lighting, chiaroscuro Flowing forms inspired by music, still life, and classical art. Enter early for a chance to be in the show! Discount code to enter is Phantom. 2027 show calls are open; submit by the first of each month. *****WE WILL BE HAVING SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY ARTIST & SMALL BUSINESS BOOTHS WITH A WINE TASTING AND CAR SHOW. APPLICATIONS OPEN THROUGH NOV 1ST.
Kansas City, MO, USA 816 507 4193
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