All posts by Kranzberg Arts Foundation

Anyone strolling past 3333 Washington Avenue on a lovely St. Louis evening might be instantly drawn in by the stunning rainbow chandelier, vibrant paintings, stylish furnishings and huge DJ booth viewable through the wall of plate glass windows at Sophie’s Artist Lounge. More than just a nightclub, Sophie’s is an innovative space where artists, curators and DJs play an integral role in shaping St. Louis’ cultural landscape. 

Named for the granddaughter of KAF founders Ken and Nancy Kranzberg, Sophie’s originated in a second-floor space in .ZACK in 2017, catering to the local artistic community, specifically resident organizations within the building. Like all KAF venues, Sophie’s remains a non-profit model with every dollar spent by patrons going directly back into supporting KAF artists and programs. 

Sophie’s relocated to its current location in October 2021, in a vibrant and expanded street-level space that includes a gallery, bar, and state-of-the-art DJ booth and serves as a gateway to The Walls Off Washington mural walk. 

“Within the Kranzberg Arts Foundation ecosystem and the Grand Center Arts District, Sophie’s plays an important role as that bridge between the formal and the informal, where the gallery meets the lounge, and the artists, performers, and audience all share the same space. It’s a hub for the creative energy that keeps St. Louis vibrant,” says KAF Promotions and Events Manager Nanyamka Ewing.

The gallery space, which extends into the hallways of the multi-use building features rotating exhibitions throughout the year. Currently on display is “To STL With Love,” a landmark exhibition celebrating the deep roots and wide-ranging impact of hip-hop culture in St. Louis curated by Kris Blackmon.

Inside the bar, an 8’ x 10’ specially-commissioned painting by internationally renowned, St. Louis-based artist Katherine Bernhardt is on permanent display, injecting the space with neon colors. The lounge area features custom arts furniture designed and built by Chandler Ahrens and hand-painted by Screwed Arts Collective and Painted Black STL.

While visual arts are an integral part of Sophie’s, the music takes center stage on any given night. The venue is home to KAF’s DJ Residency program. In July, a dynamic new class of 10 artists began their residency, including: DJ PBNJEFFY, DJ KC Mackey, DJ MAHF, DJ Sinamin, DJ Nune is Lamar Harris, TreHitz, DJ Rico Steez, Anansi Spins, Enoch Raavi and James Yeo.

 Their energy, creativity, and range elevates the sound and soul of the space, rotating their various styles and influences throughout the week. 

These 2025-2026 residents include:  While this new class is bringing fresh vibrations, resident DJs Agile One and Biko FKA Needles have been holding it down and shaping the sonic identity of Sophie’s for nearly four years and  continue to be pillars in the booth, bringing unmatched style, musicality, and leadership.

Each September, Sophie’s becomes a central part of the annual MATI Conference & Festival in the heart of the festival footprint. Attendees step into the air-conditioned refuge of Sophie’s between main stage sets to sit a spell, listen to DJ sets, sip cocktails and take in the art.

Other weekends, Sophie’s transforms into a marketplace featuring local artisans and small businesses selling their wares while local food trucks offer a variety of delicious fare. 

“Sophie’s is really about creating a space where art, music, and community overlap — a place that celebrates local talent while inviting people to connect in meaningful ways. From the DJ residencies and rotating exhibitions to collaborations like MATI and The Walls Off Washington, everything we do is centered around supporting creative expression and making it accessible to everyone,” Ewing says.

Sophie’s is open Wednesday- Saturday from 1:00 p.m.to 1:30 a.m. For more information, visit kranzbergartsfoundation.org/sophies-artist-lounge. 

One of the cornerstones of KAF’s mission to provide essential infrastructure for the arts to thrive in the St. Louis region is the Kranzberg Artist in Residency (KAIR) program. The program was launched in 2021 with the mission of helping each participant define, pursue and achieve their individual goals as an artist by providing the tools and space to improve their skills, develop new professional relationships and increase their knowledge. KAIR grew out of KAFs Music Artist in Residence program that was established in 2018, and expanded to include visual and literary arts.

Since that time, the program has empowered dozens of St. Louis-based artists from diverse backgrounds, utilizing KAF artistic venues, studios, community programming and strategic partnerships to help take their careers to the next level. Eleven artists, including five visual artists, three musicians and three writers recently completed their 18-month residencies, hosting exhibitions and performances as their final projects. Moraa Nyaribo, a fiber artist deeply connected to Black and African heritage, just wrapped her well-received exhibition Nyuso: A Celebration of African Artistry and Afrofuturism at The Gallery at The Kranzberg.

“Having a dedicated studio space for the past year and a half has been such a gift. This residency has been amazing—eye-opening, fun, and full of opportunities. I’ve grown so much, not just as an artist but as a person,” Nyaribo says. “Through it all, I feel seen and heard. My voice is stronger, my practice keeps getting refined, and I’m more confident in who I am as an artist. The connections and relationships I’ve made here have helped me plant real roots in STL, and I’ve got the energy and drive to keep moving forward.”

Committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, the KAIR program supports economic development and cultural sustainability, further positioning St. Louis as a leading arts and entertainment destination. Applications for the next visual arts residency cohort, running from January 2026 – June 2027, are currently under consideration. Four outstanding visual artists will be selected and provided with the time, space, and support needed to develop substantial bodies of work, foster collaboration, and fully realize their creative visions.

“The value of the Kranzberg Arts Residency comes from the infrastructure we provide to artists — not only dedicated space, but also literal and physical work space where they can create uninhibitedly,” says Larry Morris, KAF Director of Programs and Partnerships. “Just as important is proximity: our district has become a natural stop-through for world-class artists, it houses many of the region’s most influential arts organizations, and it serves as a place where creatives from all over come to connect. That combination of space and community is what makes KAIR such a powerful experience for residents.”

KAIR program residents are supported through six distinct pillars, including:

• Dedicated workspaces
• State-of-the-art presenting/performance spaces 
• Technology, tools and training
• Programming and wellness support
• Marketing, storytelling and partner support
• Cash stipends

In addition to musicians and visual artists, Sophie’s Artist Lounge recently announced its new DJ Residency cohort —a dynamic class of 10 artists whose energy, creativity, and range are elevating the sound and soul of the space in weekly and monthly rotations, curating vibes on both weekends and weeknights. More than just a nightclub, Sophie’s is an innovative space where artists, curators and DJs play an integral role in shaping St. Louis’ cultural landscape. 

“All of our residencies are designed to help artists define, pursue and achieve their goals by providing the tools and space to improve their skills, develop new professional relationships, and increase their knowledge. We are thrilled that a KAF residency is a critical step and highlight on the resumes of a variety of St. Louis artists who are destined for greatness,” says KAF Executive Director Chris Hansen.

Photo Credit: Taylor Marrie