ARTSPEAK RADIO with Englewood Arts and The Volland Store

ARTSPEAK RADIO, Wednesday, January 13, 2021, 12-noon- 1pm CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas CityCommunity Radio, streaming live audio ​www.kkfi.orgProducer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes Englewood Art Director Michael Baxley and TheVolland Store Proprietor Patty Reece.

MICHAEL BAXLEY-Englewood Arts is a new and innovative organization focused on creating adiverse and sustainable community in harmony with the arts. Our ultimate goal is to provide much-needed, affordable and sustainable workspace, housing and culturally diverse,community-based arts programming. Vibrant with activity and creativity, the Englewood Arts District will showcase the visual arts, performing arts and culinary arts while providing enrichment opportunities for the local and regional community. Englewood Arts will become a distinct destination spot that will also complement the historic and revitalized Independence Square.In 2019, the City Council voted unanimously to approve the sale of a three-story building to become the Englewood Arts Center. Once the Center’s programs are up and running, the organization will be self-sustaining through grants, rental income and other revenue-generating initiatives. A long-term goal for Englewood Arts will be to offer affordable housing though a low-interest, high-risk, loan pool developed through partnerships with local banks and credit unions.Local donors from Independence and Eastern Jackson County will be approached first, prior to expanding our fundraising efforts to the greater metropolitan area. Tax-deductible donations maybe made through the Englewood Arts Fund at The Truman Heartland Community Foundation. A Friends of Englewood group will be initiated to provide annual support and grow a circle of influential supporters to raise awareness and visibility for the Center’s ongoing programs and goals.Our vision is to transform the Englewood Arts District into a community-minded place of opportunity inspired by the arts. Reimagined and transformed, Englewood is destined to become a placewhere talent is discovered, abilities are nurtured and potential can be realized.A renovated and repurposed building will provide exceptional opportunities for artists, educators and the regional community to flourish as they collaborate throughout various workspaces and exhibit areas. Indoor and outdoor performance venues, galleries, rotating displays, adult and kids classes, public gathering spaces and a café are just some of the offerings which will allow Independence neighbors to connect at the Center. This revitalization will not only attract are aartisans but visitors from throughout the region.Here, people of all ages and levels of artistic experience will be given the freedom to learn and togrow. This is our vision. Englewood Arts 10901 E Winner Road | Independence, MO 64052 (816)379-6011 | [email protected] |englewoodarts.art

PATTY REECE- The Volland Store to host Smithsonian exhibition about rural America (Alma, Kansas) The Volland Store is honored to be one of six venues in Kansas to host the traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian, “Crossroads: Change in Rural America.” The exhibition examines the changing landscape of rural America. Ironically but appropriately, the exhibition is changing its form as well. ​Hosting a safe experience during the current pandemic will be our priority, and innovative efforts by county residents are navigating changing times by planning a mostly virtual exhibit. ​The Volland Store is planning online and outside-the-box (aka the four wallsof the Volland Store) festivities to occur during the time the exhibit was originally scheduled, March13, 2021 through April 25, 2021.Volunteer committees have worked steadily since June planning an extensive complementary exhibit, “Deep Roots and New Growth in Wabaunsee County.”​ This local exhibit ​examines the evolving landscape of our local county,​ expanding the knowledge and understanding of our unique culture​. ​Luckily, the on-line approach will reach an audience far larger than physical attendance could provide.“Crossroads” explores how rural American communities changed in the 20th century. From sea to shining sea, the vast majority of the United States landscape remains rural with only 3.5% of the landmass considered urban. Since 1900, the percentage of Americans living in rural areas dropped from 60% to 17%. The exhibition looks at that remarkable societal change and how ruralAmericans responded. Americans have relied on rural crossroads for generations. These placeswhere people gather to exchange goods, services and culture and to engage in political and community discussions are an important part of our cultural fabric. Despite the massive economic and demographic impacts brought on by these changes, America’s small towns continue to focus creatively on new opportunities for growth and development.The Volland Store will share on our website and Facebook page the thought-provoking ideas provided by the Smithsonian in the “Crossroads” exhibition, as well as offering an extraordinarylook into the history and culture of our local area. The unique digital content is specifically createdfor​ this event, with community input and help from the ​Wabaunsee County Historical Societ​y.​ The Volland Store is looking for support in making this exhibit a true reflection of our county. Everyone is invited to join the effort: sponsors, volunteers, and experts in local history are needed​ to ​produce an authentic exhibit of who we are today, one that we will be proud to present to the world. If you would like to join in this effort, please contact Patty Reece or Mindy Chaffin at 785-499-3616 and leave a message, or email [email protected] exhibition is part of Museum on Main Street, a unique collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), Humanities Kansas, and local host institutions.The Volland Store, 24098 Volland Road, Alma KS 66401Phone: 785-499-3616 Email: [email protected] Volland Store opened in 1913 in the little railroad community of Volland and quickly becomethe social and cultural center of the ranching community that surrounded it. Today the formergeneral store has been re-purposed as an art gallery and event center and serves once more as a gathering place for the community, both near and far. Located in a scenic valley in the Flint Hills,The Volland Store is an award-winning space with good art and friendly conversation.www.thevollandstore.com

#artspeakradio
#kkficommunityradio


Share This Episode