All posts by Kranzberg Arts Foundation

KAF’s recently-opened venues, The Sovereign and The Key, are not only spaces to enjoy great music, drinks and food, but are now also part of The Walls Off Washington, thanks to two new murals by legendary artists Kenny Scharf and Brock Seals. 

Los Angeles-based artist Scharf returned to St. Louis to create a new mural titled “Kranzbergville: Forever and Ever For Eva to Infinity ∞” on the side of the Sovereign—a riff on his existing mural, “Kranzbergville,” across the street on the side of High Low. The new mural features a village of faces, gestures, and fluttering butterflies (named Mothra and Mothro), reflecting humanity’s  joys, storms, and hope. Each figure and each color stretches toward infinity in a vision of reflection, renewal, responsibility and boundless possibility.

Scharf’s inimitable graffiti paintings gained him notoriety and fame in the New York downtown art scene of the 1980s, where he developed close friendships with other notable artists including Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. He has painted street murals across the country and around the world from New York to L.A., Miami, Philadelphia, Mexico, Brazil, Spain, Denmark and more.

“Every project I undertake is building on my past experiences. One very important and guiding principle to my work is to reach out beyond the elitist boundaries of fine art and connect to popular culture through my art,” Scharf says of his work. 

As construction began on The Key, KAF approached Seals, a renowned St. Louis-based artist and musician, about creating a mural for the back of the historic building. “At the time, I’d been working on a lot of music to get people to move and dance, so it was the perfect chance for me to illustrate what I was making musically in an art form,” Seals says.

The mural, titled “The Way We Move,” recalls decades of different dances and movements, from 1950s-60s swing all the way up to present day dance moves — inviting visitors to keep moving and celebrate the enduring heartbeat of this new space. A backlit mini-version of the mural hangs inside the venue’s elevated lounge and gallery.

“To have that same energy living inside of the building is super dope and I love to see it every time I’m in there,” says Seals.”

Guided by KAF trustee and co-curator Mary Ann Srenco, alongside artists and countless collaborators, every façade in The Walls Off Washington honors what has been built, fortifies what remains, and celebrates the dreams still to come.

“What a tribute to STL and to the unwavering vision of The Walls off Washington, that international legend Kenny Scharf and St. Louis’ own regional force of creativity, Brock Seals, have lifted new murals this month that awaken our senses, lift our spirits, and celebrate the rhythm, resilience, and imagination woven into this neighborhood,” says KAF Director and Chief Curator of Visual and Literary Arts Gina Grafos.

KAF’s latest development, The Key Burger Bar & Boogie, makes its grand opening this Wednesday, October 29th at 3225 Olive Street. A pitch-perfect place where the music plays, the game is always on, and the dance floor is open, The Key is destined to be the new favorite neighborhood hang.

On one side of the complex, the fast-casual Burger Bar offers a delectable menu of smashburgers made from pasture centric sustainable beef from Price Family Farms; specialty fries, tacos, a variety of appetizers and a dozen house-made specialty sauces, developed in partnership with chef Michele Coen of Michele C Catering. The food menu is complimented by a great selection of craft cocktails and local beers, while games of St. Louis’ favorite local sports teams play on a bevy of flatscreen TVs. 

The Boogie, a spacious, adjoining dance hall, will feature a regular rotation of the region’s favorite party and dance bands, as well as line and salsa dancing nights. It will also host sports watch parties and live streams, plus be available for private event rental. 

“We can’t wait for visitors from across the St. Louis region and beyond to experience The Key—especially our neighbors who live and work in Grand Center and Midtown, SLU and Harris Stowe students, and fans heading down to catch a game at Chaifetz, Energizer Park, Enterprise Center or Busch Stadium,” said KAF Executive Director Chris Hansen. “The Key will be a welcoming gathering spot for all to enjoy great food, cold drinks, sports, and live music and dancing in an art-forward atmosphere.”

The two adjacent historic buildings that make up The Key were rescued from demolition by KAF through an agreement with Saint Louis University and with support from the Landmarks Association of St. Louis. Built in 1887, the buildings are among the few remaining historical structures in the area, and adjacent to the former and historic Mill Creek neighborhood, providing a rare glimpse into St. Louis’ past and showcasing the enduring architectural beauty of a previous century.

The Key reimagines the spaces for the modern day, while respecting and preserving their defining architectural elements. An original tin ceiling in the Burger Bar has been restored and given a fresh coat of silver paint and the soaring original wood trusses in the Boogie have been carefully preserved and restored. KAF worked with Chandler Ahrens, co-founder of Open Source Architecture and an Associate Professor of Architecture at Washington University in St. Louis, to design the space and Harambee LLC to lead the construction. 

Following KAF’s commitment to arts-based community development, The Key features a robust art program, including an extension of the Walls Off Washington mural program featuring murals by celebrated artists both inside and around the exterior of the building. St. Louis-based Cuban designers and illustrators Raul Valdés, Juan Carlos Polo and Carlos Zamora developed The Key’s illustrated universe, featured prominently in the interior of the Burger Bar and on the website. The Boogie includes a gallery space where works by local artists will be displayed.

“As with everything KAF does, art is a primary focus of The Key. Carlos, Raul and Juan Carlos are award-winning designers and illustrators whose work we are proud to have front and center in this space,” Hansen says. “The venue will feature rotating works by other artists as well, taking its place in the ecosystem of dynamic arts spaces KAF has developed throughout the district.”

To keep up with all of the exciting upcoming events, visit thekeystl.com and follow The Key on Instagram and Facebook.

A new multipurpose development from KAF, Grandel Square Studios & Workspaces, is officially open at 3701 Grandel Square, offering studio spaces for visual and multidisciplinary artists and workspaces for nonprofits. KAF purchased the building from The Urban League of St. Louis in order to support their purchase of a new headquarters. For the past couple of years, the space has been divided into two suites – one occupied by the St. Louis Story Stitchers, and another utilized by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra during the renovation of Powell Hall. 

With the Symphony now back in its renovated home, the building is now operational in its intended purpose of supporting artists and social service nonprofits. Over 20 workspaces and studios offer shared amenities, including conference rooms, co-working spaces, and common work areas outside of private studios, as well as 24-hour access and provided internet/utilities. 

“We’re very excited to open this new space and offer St. Louis artists exceptional private studios and workspaces. Our goal is to create a vibrant environment that fosters connection, encourages collaboration, and supports each artist’s creative growth,” says Brandon Anschultz.

Studio artists will have opportunities to display their work in common areas as well as organize Open Studio events and markets in the building, and take advantage of other KAF venue amenities, such as the scene shops at 3333 Washington and printing at The Kranzberg. 

“In addition to our entertainment venues and gallery spaces, KAF is focused on providing the day-to-day infrastructure our artists and small arts and social service nonprofits need to grow and thrive,” says KAF Executive Director Chris Hansen. “Developing properties like the Grandel Square Studios & Workspaces helps fulfill that promise.”

To learn more about space availability, please email info@kranzbergartsfoundation.org.