60 inches height x 60 inches width x 32 inches deep
Painting on pre-made sculpture
Material: exterior paint
Artist Notes:
This piece was created for the 2026 Parade of Hearts, a citywide public art experience that brings together artists, organizations, and communities through a series of large-scale heart sculptures displayed across the region. Each heart tells a unique story, celebrating connection, creativity, and the shared spirit of place.
My contribution is a hand-painted, folk art reimagining of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Simplified forms, soft color palettes, and narrative details invite a sense of warmth and familiarity, echoing the accessibility and storytelling traditions of folk art. At the center, a heart-shaped opening replaces the museum’s iconic facade, transforming the architecture into a space of reflection rather than observation.
Inscribed along the inside of the heart is a quote that appears on the exterior of the Nelson: “Art still has truth, take refuge there” by Matthew Arnold. This detail reinforces the museum’s enduring role as a place of contemplation and refuge, while drawing the viewer inward.
The viewer is invited to imagine themselves within the scene—to step into the landscape, walk the paths, and become part of the story. By placing the heart at the literal and symbolic center, the piece suggests that art, like community, is completed through participation.
60 inches height x 60 inches width x 32 inches deep
Painting on pre-made sculpture
Material: exterior paint
Artist Notes:
This piece was created for the 2026 Parade of Hearts, a citywide public art experience that brings together artists, organizations, and communities through a series of large-scale heart sculptures displayed across the region. Each heart tells a unique story, celebrating connection, creativity, and the shared spirit of place.
My contribution is a hand-painted, folk art reimagining of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Simplified forms, soft color palettes, and narrative details invite a sense of warmth and familiarity, echoing the accessibility and storytelling traditions of folk art. At the center, a heart-shaped opening replaces the museum’s iconic facade, transforming the architecture into a space of reflection rather than observation.
Inscribed along the inside of the heart is a quote that appears on the exterior of the Nelson: “Art still has truth, take refuge there” by Matthew Arnold. This detail reinforces the museum’s enduring role as a place of contemplation and refuge, while drawing the viewer inward.
The viewer is invited to imagine themselves within the scene—to step into the landscape, walk the paths, and become part of the story. By placing the heart at the literal and symbolic center, the piece suggests that art, like community, is completed through participation.