Kansas City's public spaces reveal a rich tapestry of art-driven transformation.
Arthur Kraft's iconic, now-relocated circus mosaic once filled the Main Library with vivid energy, while roadside tributes like Jeff Parson's larger-than-life Chiefs cutouts on Northwest Gateway Drive turn neighborhoods into open-air galleries.
The upcoming Parade of Hearts will debut a redesigned heart sculpture in 2026, woven into the city's preparations for the World Cup and growing tradition of displaying public art across local counties. Elsewhere, the mystery of Thomas Hart Benton's "Forward Pass" — a painting inspired by the Chiefs' Super Bowl win — reflects how art and sports memories continue to shape the city's visual legacy.
These stories show how lost mosaics, traveling paintings, and bold new sculptures keep Kansas City's spaces vibrant and engaging for locals and visitors alike.
NO. 1: WHO WAS BARNEY ALLIS? AND WHY IS A ‘FORLORN’ KC PLAZA NAMED AFTER THIS BELOVED MAN?
He “came from nothing and he just excelled. It’s the typical self-made man story.” | Published June 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Lisa Gutierrez
NO. 2: KANSAS CITY’S TRUCK-EATING BRIDGE WILL GET A PSYCHEDELIC NEW LOOK. SEE THE MURAL DESIGNS
An artist and former driver said, “I have a lot of sympathy for these truck drivers.” | Published June 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Eleanor Nash
NO. 3: AT THIS JOHNSON COUNTY EXHIBIT, VETERANS’ ART SERVES TO CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY
The Place of Peace exhibit will be on display from Oct. 29 through Nov. 24 at the Lenexa City Hall Art Gallery. | Published October 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Debra Skodack
NO. 4: THESE 3 LOCAL ARTISTS HAVE JOINED MASTERS WITH SHOW AT KANSAS CITY’S ICONIC MUSEUM
It’s the first time that the 27-year-old program for local artists has an exhibition at the Nelson-Atkins. Here’s what you can see. | Published November 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Dan Kelly
NO. 5: THIS ARTIST WAS BEHIND FAMOUS KANSAS CITY MOSAIC, OTHER WORKS. BUT WHERE IS IT NOW?
You might recognize several of this artist’s whimsical pieces. But one of the most-seen now sits in storage. | Published January 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Patrick Salland
NO. 6: RIVERSIDE ARTIST CREATES ROADSIDE ART GALLERY OF KANSAS CITY CHIEFS SUPERSTARS
Jeff Parson’s larger-than-life Kansas City Chiefs display is a fan favorite, featuring over-sized cutouts of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Isiah Pacheco, and Chris Jones. | Published January 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tammy Ljungblad
NO. 7: AN ICONIC CHIEFS WIN INSPIRED A FAMOUS ARTIST’S PAINTING. ITS WHEREABOUTS ARE A MYSTERY
This famous painting was sketched from the sidelines of Kansas City Chiefs games and practices. Now, there’s a mystery around it. | Published March 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Vahe Gregorian
NO. 8: PARADE OF HEARTS WILL HAVE A NEW LOOK IN 2026. SEE THE SHAPE SET TO POP UP ALL OVER KC
The 2026 display will coincide with the FIFA World Cup and the visitors expected to pour into the city. | Published March 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez
NO. 9: KC ARTIST CREATES WORK REVEALING THE JOY AND FEMININITY OF TRANS WOMEN’S JOURNEYS
“My art is a reflection of who I am, just in a tangible form.” | Published March 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by J.M. Banks
NO. 10: FROM LOATHED TO LEGENDARY: THE KC ARTWORKS THAT SPARKED A NEW ERA OF PUBLIC ART
Dive into the history of the Nelson-Atkins’ famous Shuttlecocks and the way they’ve influenced contemporary sculpture across KC in the 20 years since their unveiling. | Published April 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Courtney Lane
NO. 11: ARTISTS COME FROM ALL OVER TO KANSAS CITY FOR BROOKSIDE FAIR. MEET A FEW OF THEM
The popular art fair is a Kansas City tradition. | Published May 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Courtney Lane
NO. 12: SEE MURAL HONORING HALL OF FAMER BUCK O’NEIL TAKING SHAPE UNDER NAMESAKE KC BRIDGE
See how this mural honors Hall of Famer Buck O’Neil under the bridge that bears his name. | Published May 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Emily Curiel
NO. 13: FAMED ARTIST WHO WRAPPED KC PARK IN ‘SAFFRON’ GIFTS WORKS TO NELSON-ATKINS
For two weeks in 1978, a project that wrapped Loose Park’s walkways in fabric “helped to put Kansas City on the contemporary art world map.” | Published May 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Eric Adler
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.