Excelsior Springs Museum & Archives Announces Joint Venture

Dr. Chris Leatherman, President of the Downtown Excelsior Partnership, has expressed his excitement about the joint venture. "We have two fine organizations that share a common interest in promoting the Hall of Waters Historic District and our history in general. We are pleased to be working together toward that means. We have so many talented artists in our area it seems only natural to share their art with the local community and our many visitors."

The gallery will host famous local and regional artists. Ginger Nelson, spokesperson for the project said, "Our artist committee has looked at the art of a number of different regional and local artists. It is so exciting to see their creativity expressed in their art. We have artists who work with different mediums such as metal, watercolor, fabrics, acrylics, oils, fused glass, ceramic tiles and even junk mail. Artists will rotate on a three-month basis so the art will always be fresh and exciting. Some of the regional artists who will have their work in the gallery include Elenor Crystelle, Laurel DeFreece, Gail Barnett and Ann Davis as well as many well-known local artists."

The "Art Crawls" will give our community and visitors another cultural activity. With the opening of the gallery in the Francis Exhibition Hall, Excelsior features the artwork of nine local artists. Keith and Jeri Bowen are well known for their contributions to the arts locally through their teaching roles in the Excelsior Springs School District and the annual Kiwanis productions, Keith's art has been on display in Los Angeles, Kansas City and Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Being, a new gallery owned by Andy Spear, is located at 204 Marietta. Andy's gallery will feature more aggressive, non-traditional artwork. The Olde English Garden Shoppe, located at 115 E. Broadway, features the work of famous local artists Cathy Johnson and Dr. Polly Jaben.

"Art is a form of communication from one individual to another," states Keith Bowen. "It enriches our very beings. The foresight of the museum board to become involved in such a venture says much about who we are as a community. We hope everyone will enjoy what they see!"