Author Marci Renee will join us to discuss her advocacy against human trafficking and to share her story of "The Strawberry Girls" Kate Stoiber will be our musical guest and we will have a snack potluck to share with the audience. CONTENT WARNING: This will be an emotional conversation and may involve themes of exploitation, sexual violence and trauma.
Artist November Bullard uses deeply emotional, expressionistic artwork to explore themes of isolation, anxiety, identity, and vulnerability, transforming personal struggles into powerful visual storytelling. Through dark yet hopeful imagery, they aim to create connection for people who feel unheard or out of place, encouraging others to embrace their voice authentically and unapologetically. Ivory Blue creates cinematic alternative pop and rock that blends intimate storytelling, haunting textures, and expansive production into music designed to linger emotionally long after it ends. Drawing from years of writing and performing, their work explores resonance, memory, and human connection through songs that feel both deeply personal and atmospheric.
Christian Dixon is a middle-child from a small town in the Midwest. From a young age, Christian asked himself "What is this all for?" As a pastor's grandson, faith and religion were inseparable from his upbringing. Scarcity and provision, mental health and illness, and shifting self-worth were also formative experiences that shaped Christian's perspective on life.
Kelsey Miles blends blues, rock, and soul into an unforgettable live experience. With her guitar, harmonica, and heart wide open, she turns every show into a shared celebration of truth, courage, and connection. 2025 Semi-finalist International Blues Challenge (Memphis, TN) Representing Kansas City 2024 Harmonica Player of the Year Wisconsin Area Music Industry Award nomination 2024 Female Vocalist of the Year Wisconsin Area Music Industry Award nomination 2020, 2019 Blues Performer of the Year, Madison Area Music Awards (MAMAs)
We're sitting down with artist extraordinaire Kitty B.K. from BelligerentCrow Works to talk about her art, her pop-up style community paintings, her commitment to inclusion into the arts and to prove that we are all artists!
Professor Shyguy is a Kansas City-based artist and performer who blends live music, comedy, inclusion, and 8-bit shenanigans into a genre-defying experience. Known for his dynamic stage presence and erratic performances, he creates an immersive atmosphere that celebrates individuality and self-expression. Whether hosting themed events or collaborating with local artists, Professor Shyguy fosters a welcoming space for diverse audiences to connect and celebrate queer culture.
Perspectives: Artist Talks with Ruthie Wu Ruthie Wu is a multifaceted artist and performer whose creative journey spans music, dance, theater, and visual arts. Beginning her artistic endeavors at the age of 8 as a singer and pianist, she later expanded her talents to include dance and acting. At 14, she participated in her first fashion show, marking the beginning of her diverse artistic career. Her work has taken her across the globe, from drawing in Lebanon to dancing in Canada, reflecting her commitment to celebrating the human experience through various artistic expressions. moxietalentagency.com+1moxietalentagency.com+1 In addition to her performance career, Ruthie is an accomplished educator, teaching piano and voice with a blend of classical and improvisational techniques. She has also authored a children's book and written and staged a play, further showcasing her versatility as a storyteller. Her artwork has been featured in community spaces in both the U.S. and Canada, including the House For All Nations and the Mattie Rhodes Center.
Perspectives: Artist Talks with Waleska Font Waleska Font is a Venezuelan multidisciplinary artist whose work weaves together poetry, visual art, and cultural storytelling. Through her series The Sacred Crop, she explores the profound spiritual and cultural significance of corn in Pre-Columbian Latin America, blending vibrant visuals with poetic narratives to invite viewers into a world where art and heritage intertwine.
Perspectives: Artist Talks with Jeni Reynolds and Julia Wildstar Jeni Reynolds is a self-taught multimedia artist from Lawson, Missouri, working across pencil, pen and ink, acrylics, oils, watercolors, and imaginative mixed media. She delights in adding unexpected elements—whether through small sculptures, home decor, or vibrant murals—to infuse her creations with interest and narrative Fine Art America. With a rich history of community involvement—from fundraisers for Children's Miracle Network to theater set work and a four-decade career designing artistic wedding cakes—she now focuses on sharing her creative vision more fully, shifting away from commissions to explore fresh artistic adventures Fine Art America.
Perspectives: Artist Talk with visual artist and educator DeAnna Skedal and live music by Laura Boat. Daisha Maria-Breona is a self-taught, Jersey City-born visual artist now creating in Kansas City, Missouri. Her journey into painting began in high school but truly took root around 2020 after a life transition, and it soon became both her sanctuary and expressive outlet A Rutgers and Liberty University alum with degrees in Communications and Executive Leadership, she adeptly weaves her academic background into her work, which centers on inclusivity, mental health awareness, self-love, and cultural empowerment Her signature style is both gritty and bold—she often paints with acrylic on cardboard, a choice that nods to her roots, hip-hop culture, and eco-conscious sensibilities, transforming humble materials into powerful, thought-provoking art/ Daisha’s work frequently explores themes of Black femininity, empowerment, and vulnerability, often through expressive portraits and floral motifs layered atop urban-inspired, impressionistic backgrounds. She’s known for her "Woman of Audacity" series—vivid and unapologetic portraits of icons like Angela Davis, Frida Kahlo, Billie Holiday, and others.
