Art
‘The arts tend to get overlooked.’ This school uplifts community through visual arts
Diana and Allen Rendell know the power of visual arts. So when they looked around their community and saw a gap, they decided to do something about it.
Art School opened in Lee’s Summit in January 2022.
“As an artist living in the Lee’s Summit area, I had a hunch that there were more artists in our community than we knew,” said Diana Rendell, who serves as the executive director, while her husband fills the role of creative director.
Connecting the community through visual arts is among the goals of Art School, a non-profit organization in downtown Lee’s Summit. The facility, at 307A S.W. Market St., includes both classroom and gallery spaces.
“There is a saying: ‘Prosperity follows the arts.’ The arts tend to get overlooked or brushed away as non-essential sometimes, but having a strong presence of community members who strive to create visual story-telling, beautify or generally add to the aesthetic of an environment only goes to make a place more pleasant and desirable.”
Art School’s mission is “cultivating artistic language through community engagement,” she said. That includes assisting artists and others interested in art in making, displaying, discussing, understanding and defending art while also making connections.
“We want to help artists to build their core art community and to teach people who want to know more about art-making,” she added. “Our goal is to uplift Lee’s Summit and surrounding communities through art-making and art appreciation.”
The school offers classes such as drawing, watercolor, ceramics, painting, printmaking and wheel throwing, with some classes specifically tailored for children or teens.
Life drawing sessions are also available, as are events such as Clay Nights. Camps for kids and teenagers are held throughout the summer, with topics ranging from ceramics to mixed media to painting and drawing. Art School welcomes all levels of expertise in visual arts from beginner to experienced artist.
Rendell said the response from the community has been positive, and ceramics classes and special events are especially well-received.
“When a pottery studio opens in a town, the soothing, earthy smell of clay is a siren song to anyone who has longed for that primeval squish,” she added.
On most Friday evenings, Art School hosts a one-night try-it-out class called Clay Night to provide an introduction to the techniques of hand-building and wheel-thrown pottery.
In addition to classes, camps and events, Art School operates its own gallery, where free events are often hosted.
“We host art receptions just about every month,” she said. “We have done free rock painting with Alyssa’s Wishes. We hosted our first Black History Month celebration with a big party with food, a live DJ and spoken-word poetry.”
In addition, the non-profit partners with local businesses and organizations for activities like art lessons at Grains and Taps, also in downtown Lee’s Summit. Among upcoming cultural events planned at Art School is a talk about queer history in the Kansas City metro area scheduled from 4 to 5 p.m. June 23, just before Downtown Lee’s Summit’s Fourth Friday Art Walk.
Allen Rendell runs Art School’s Gallery, his wife said, and consistently assembles cohesive and inspiring shows. A small jury of local artists are asked to determine work that fits the theme for each show session.
“Artists are chosen based on the theme of the show, the excellence shown in the quality of the artwork,” she said. “Sometimes we show student work, which will be the case in July and August.”
Organizing Art School as a nonprofit is based on the Rendells’ decision to stay true to their mission and vision.
“We wanted to make sure that Art School is always community focused, even if Art School outlasts the Rendells,” she said.
To learn more about Art School’s educational classes, camps, events and Gallery shows, go to this website, which also includes a link for donations to the nonprofit organization.
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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