Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, March 16, 2022, noon – 1pm CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes artist/muralist/educator Vania Soto, and artist/gallery director Phyllis Hernandez.

VANIA SOTO –Kansas City Local artist Vania Soto was born in Juarez, Mexico and began selling paintings at age 13. Inspired by proud cultural icons such as Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, she connects with her by heritage by maintaining influential traditions from this rich past. Building on this theme, Day of the Dead symbolism is prevalent in her work, again as a way of connecting to the longstanding customs of her family and community and expressing its beauty through art.
Her main media is acrylics and she also works in mixed media. She describes her work as realism with a pop of surrealism. Vania’s artwork can be found inside of the Police Athletic League in Kansas City Kansas on the windows. A mural in downtown Kansas City, Missouri in front of the Sprint Center of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrating the Super Bowl win. And you can also find my Wyandot Nation Mural inside Kansas City Kansas Community College. Soto paints on commission, teaches art, and runs a food pantry at the PAL KCK center.

www.vaniasoto.com

PHYLLIS HERNANDEZ was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. She is a self taught artist that has always had a passion to create art. As a child she was inspired to create art by her father who often sketched in his spare time. Ms. Hernandez was selected by the Northeast Chamber of Commerce to create a mural in the Historic Northeast neighborhood during the summer of 2020. Creating a mural recognizing her Mexican culture, inspired Ms. Hernandez to open a new art gallery. Sala de Arte (Room of Art) is owned and operated by Ms.Hernandez. The gallery is located in the Historic Northeast neighborhood. Her goal was to provide a safe and welcoming place for local artists of color to showcase their artwork.
Ms. Hernandez works with several types of mediums. She also designs and sews traditional Mexican folklorical dresses for a local elementary dance group.
She hopes to inspire the youth in her community and bring recognition to the hidden talent in her neighborhood.

Sala de Arte
4828 E 9th St
Kansas City MO
Open Saturdays 12-5

Teen Paint Night -last Friday of the month 6-9pm

Woman’s History Month celebration 
March 26th 4-8

April National Poetry Month
4/9/22 4-8pm

Sala de Arte will celebrate their 1st year anniversary on May 14th. 4-9pm

Facebook: @Saladearte.kc
Instagram: @saldearteinkc
TikTok: @sala_de_arte

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