Tag Archives: St. Louis

01 Dec 2025

Through Oz: Exploring the role of imagination, fantasy, and joy in times of upheaval, Now through December 19 at Legends’ Gallery

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As The Wiz makes its return to the Fabulous Fox, Legends’ Gallery presents a joint pop-up exhibition with a co-producer of the national tour honoring this timeless classic story. In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, published as a children’s story in 1900, L. Frank Baum gave us Oz and Dorothy’s journey to, through, and from Oz as a reflection of America at the turn of the century. The idea for The Wiz came in the early 1970s from Ken Harper, an Army veteran who was a DJ and the public affairs director at an NYC radio station. In an America coming out of the Civil Rights Movement and amidst the Vietnam War, Harper chose Oz and Dorothy’s journey as a vehicle to amplify and celebrate black style, wit, and fantasy.

What does the 2024 version of The Wiz invite us to consider, realize, see, and dream through its journey to, through, and home from Oz? And what does that journey invite us to consider, realize, see, and dream about in our individual and collective encounters with upheaval, the unexpected, and more than we think we can handle?

This exhibition presents items on view from various productions of The Wiz over the years including: A pair of silver slippers worn by Stephanie Mills in the original Broadway production; set models from the 2018 Muny production; programs from the 1975 and 1993 tours that came through St. Louis;  and albums from the Original Broadway Cast, the 1978 film, and the 2024 Broadway production.  The exhibition also includes reflections from community events hosted by exhibit partners 4TheVille and InvestSTL, as well as an invitation to contribute to the exhibit with visitors’ own reflections on the journey to, through, and from Oz.

“We are deeply grateful for the chance to work alongside co-producer Nicole Hudson to celebrate 50 years of The Wiz and to welcome St. Louis into this moment of reflection,” says Gina Grafos, KAF Chief Curator and Director of Visual & Literary Art. “As so many continue to navigate the impact of the May 16 tornado, this exhibition invites us, as the show reminds us, ‘to look inside our hearts’ for the courage and clarity to keep moving. Together, we consider how we travel ‘through’ upheaval toward a renewed sense of home, held up by a resilience that has long defined this city.”

St. Louis artist and new Kranzberg Artist in Residence Hayveyah McGowan has created a series of beautiful limited editioned prints available in three variations for this special exhibition that are for sale in the Legends’ Gallery and online. Sales of the poster will benefit 4theVille and InvestSTL. Legends’ Gallery is located at 3318 Washington and is open 12–5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

01 Dec 2025

Staff Profile: Eric Schoolcraft, The Market @ The Walls Off Washington Manager

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The Market @ The Walls Off Washington Manager Eric Schoolcraft was introduced to KAF in 2016 as a part-time bartender in the Foundation’s various stage and theater venues, but it wasn’t until 2024 that he took on his full-time role helping get the Market up and running in time for the 2024 MATI Festival and Conference. He’s been at the helm of the Market ever since as the friendly face patrons are greeted with as they enter to begin a tour of The Walls or purchase KAF venue tickets and merchandise 

What drew you to the organization?

Bartending was a good fit as I pursued my fine art efforts more seriously. Meanwhile, I had quickly fallen in love with the KAF mission. Eight years of watching it grow with fierce intent—and grow and GROW—grew into me knowing several venues’ ins and outs, clients and residents. All of that time being a public face for KAF had transformed me into something of an unofficial ambassador. A few “KAFamily” members had been trying to get me to take on a full-time position for several of those years. Running the Market @ The Walls Off Washington seemed like the first good fit for me. 

 

What is your favorite part of your job at KAF?

The enthusiasm and  looks of surprise on the faces of the general public when I get to enlighten them about KAF’s mission, upcoming exhibitions, musical performances, theater productions, and/or special events that KAF’s amazing team brings to life is pretty gratifying. Not to mention the variety of possibilities of how they can be a part of it all.

 

How do you feel your role directly supports the KAF mission?

The murals at the Walls Off Washington are a more immediately accessible form of fine art to most people who may not be regular arts patrons or gallery exhibition attendees. I get to be a public face that welcomes the everyman to the arts, bypassing any perceptions of snooty gatekeepers one might typically encounter in a similar situation. Hopefully they’re enticed or curious enough about all of the other things happening in KAF’s orbit to step further into what’s going on. Even if they don’t, hopefully they’re not as intimidated by the next opportunity to engage the arts.

 

What do you love most about the St. Louis arts community?

I always say there are only two degrees of separation in St. Louis, but I’m forever surprised by the number of artists I meet here on a regular basis. Though there is a broad spectrum of lofty to low-brow creativity in a seemingly endless variety of disciplines, my favorite thing about St. Louis’ arts community is the amazing support and encouragement they share freely with each other.

 

What do you personally do (outside of work) to engage in the arts?

I love to see live music and theater, and my husband and I spend a lot of Friday evenings gallery hopping from one exhibition opening to another. However, most of my (outside of work) arts engagement is spent being a visual artist. When asked about my work, I’ll often joke that I call it “Sharpies® On Trash.”. More specifically, I use markers (many kinds) to render urban icons, cityscapes, figures and portraits onto collages of scraps, thrifted, found and repurposed objects that might otherwise end up in a landfill with the (hopeful) intention of turning it into something unique and beautiful. There’s enough junk with potential in the world that I shouldn’t ever be forced into settling to work on canvas.

 

Who are some of your favorite St. Louis artists/musicians/creators that people should check out?

There is way too much amazing local talent to choose even a long list of favorites! My recommendation is simply to go see a play from a local company, check out a gallery group show of local artists, and support local music. There is no shortage of amazing art and artists in St. Louis. What’s often missing is you — the local market for all that’s available.

24 Nov 2025

Kranzberg Artists In Residence Featured in New Exhibition at St. Louis County Library Clark Family Branch.

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A new exhibition on display at the KAF Gallery inside the St. Louis County Library’s Clark Family Branch features works by the Kranzberg 2024 – 2025 Artists in Residence. KAF has long served as a leading patron of the arts in St. Louis, aligning resources to support and advance the city’s vibrant creative renaissance.

The Foundation has redefined and expanded its residency programs to offer artists the space, tools, and proximity needed to deepen their practices and share their work with the public. The residencies are influenced by artist need and evolve through ongoing assessment to ensure continued relevance and impact.

This new exhibition presents recent work by past Kranzberg Arts Foundation Visual Artists in Residence including:  Felia Davenport, José Garza, Mee Jey, David Kirkman, Moraa Nyaribo, B.J. Parker, Sarah Paulsen, Norman Spencer, and Vincent Stemmler. St. Louis artists Kenneth Randle and Brock Seals are also featured. 

The selection highlights each artist’s conceptual range, material exploration, and ongoing creative evolution—reflecting the diversity and excellence of artists living and working in our region. Together, they embody the spirit and cultural impact of the Residency’s mission in St. Louis.

“The library is the perfect venue for taking in thought-provoking artwork. This exhibition brings the important work that the KAF Residencies provide to our local artists, to share with our community at large,” says collections consultant Dana Turkovic. “The galleries are accessible to all and encourage curiosity in everyone, celebrating the power of the imagination in all artforms whether it be the written word or a canvas saturated with vibrant imagery.”

Launched in 2021, the Kranzberg Arts Residencies for Individual Artists program supports participants in defining and achieving their artistic goals. Each residency provides dedicated space, resources, and proximity to the Foundation’s network of venues and creative infrastructure—enabling artists to expand their work, build connections, and engage meaningfully within St. Louis’s evolving arts landscape.

“I’m ecstatic to see our visual residents lifted at the Clark Family Branch of the County Library. It further solidifies our intention of making sure that, not only can our community members have access to world class art, but also that we are going into all communities and creating that access point. There’s no better way to accomplish this than within our county library system,” says Larry Morris, KAF Director, Programs and Partnerships.

For more information about the visual arts residency, visit kranzbergartsfoundation.org/the-call.

20 Nov 2025

New Winter Hours at The Walls Off Washington and The Walls Market

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With the days growing ever shorter, The Walls Off Washington and The Market at The Walls Off Washington are changing to winter hours, open Wednesday through Saturday from noon until 5 p.m. at 3333 Washington Avenue in the Grand Center Arts District. The holiday season is a magical time to experience the incredible murals of The Walls with family and friends—especially those visiting from out of town. 

Experience over 33 thought-provoking murals by renowned local, national, and international artists painted on (and off) walls between Josephine Baker Blvd. to N. Leonard Ave. and Locust St. to Sam Shepard Blvd. The Walls recently added two new murals by renowned artists Kenny Scharf and Brock Seals. Stop by The Market and pick up a self-guided tour map at the counter to begin your tour. 

In addition to serving as the gateway to The Walls, The Market is a central hub for information, local artisan goods, KAF venue merchandise and a full-service box office selling tickets to performances and events at all KAF venues—great holiday gift options that celebrate our local artists. The Market is offering a special holiday discount of 25% off all KAF venue, MATI*, and Elemental merchandise from Black Friday through New Year’s Eve!

*Excludes For The Ville Boots On The Ground fundraiser T-shirt.

14 Nov 2025

St. Louis Arts Scene Gets a National Spotlight

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Forbes art and travel writer Chadd Scott recently put St. Louis’ art scene back in the national spotlight with his article, Why St. Louis Is A World-Class Art Destination. The article delves into the Saint Louis Art Museum’s landmark exhibition, Anselm Kiefer: Becoming the Sea, running through January 25, 2026, as a major get for St. Louis. It also explores the bevy of free art experiences offered by St. Louis institutions including the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, The Pulitzer, Laumeier Sculpture Park, and KAF’s own Legends’ Gallery and the Walls Off Washington. 

 

This isn’t the first time Scott has touted St. Louis, and the Grand Center Arts District in particular. In June 2023, Scott published his article titled, America’s Most Exciting Emerging Arts District is in…St. Louis?, in which he touted everything the district has to offer from the Angad Arts Hotel to Powell Hall, CAM, The Pulitzer, Jazz St. Louis. The Walls Off Washington, High Low, MATI and more. With his enthusiasm, Scott let the world in on the “secret” many in St. Louis already know—that the arts thrive here. 

 

“Two years ago, Chadd called Grand Center the most exciting ‘emerging,’ arts district in America. Since that time, I believe we have grown further into the most exciting arts district period,” says KAF Executive Director Chris Hansen. “We are no longer ‘emerging’ – we are here and drawing attention and visitors throughout St. Louis, across the region and from around the country. Our arts scene currently rivals those in any major U.S. city and the passion of our artists is unmatched.”

 

In its fifth year, the newly expanded MATI Festival & Conference also received national attention, with stellar write-ups in Essence and PopCulture.com. MATI’s new format brought the entire Grand Center Arts District community together to offer programming spanning music, visual arts, poetry, theatre and more.

 

“As our arts institutions and artists continue to move forward in the spirit of collaboration, there is no limit to the heights we can reach,” Hansen says.

14 Nov 2025

Visual, Architectural and Cultural Histories of St. Louis Meet in Motion at The Key

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Stepping into The Key Burger Bar & Boogie, patrons are greeted by a dynamic illustrated universe created by St. Louis based Cuban artists splashed across the walls, but the story doesn’t end there. Displayed on the side of the building at Olive and Compton, and the interior walls of The Boogie, revived and reframed tifos from St. Louis City SC’s inaugural season act as Polaroid portraits of players in action, expanding the definition of what constitutes civic art. 

Inside the elevated Gallery Lounge, historic photographs honor seminal St. Louis performers, including Josephine Baker, Katherine Dunham, Tina Turner, and Dan Coleman, whose choreography and teaching shaped generations. These works serve as the opening chapter of the visual narrative, situating the venue within a continuum of movement-based cultural legacy. 

Displayed elsewhere in the venue are additional significant items from supporter groups and the Vogt Family archive, offered on generous loan and in collaboration with artist and supporter B.j. Vogt. Together, these artifacts highlight the depth and endurance of St. Louis fan culture and its indelible role in the expressive identity of the city.

“The curatorial vision for this venue is anchored in the belief that movement in all its forms—dance, sport, music, gathering—is a core language of the city. The Key’s visual identity draws from this lineage and continually reimagines it for the present,” says Gina Grafos, KAF Chief Curator and Director of Visual and Literary Arts. “Like many of KAF’s venues, the identity of The Key is not fixed, but rather intentionally conceived as an additive curation process. Installations will shift with the seasons, inviting new artists, artifacts, collaborations and activations from both local and international voices. Over time, the venue will continue to engage in dialogue with its community, allowing each visual layer to build upon the last.”

“The Key is envisioned as an evolving cultural environment shaped within two historic buildings preserved from demolition and given a new purpose,” Grafos continues. “Its curation honors where STL has been, celebrates where the city is now, and remains open to the new rhythms yet to arrive. And somewhere in that constellation, there will always be a disco ball or two.”

07 Nov 2025

David Kirkman “GONZO” Artist Reception & Screening, Friday, November 14, 6-8 p.m. at High Low Gallery.

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Join St. Louis filmmaker and Kranzberg Artist in Residence David Kirkman for a special artist reception and screening of episodes 1 and 2 of his series, “GONZO,”  a coming-of-age story set in 2005 following a college student who invents a groundbreaking algorithm that could reshape the world. As his creation threatens powerful industries in this high-stakes drama, the price of innovation is steep, and the fight to protect it even steeper. The first two episodes, starring Jordan Walker and Shawn Roundtree, Jr., will be playing on a loop in the gallery.  

“I wanted to make GONZO because when I learned that Black people only make up four percent of the entire tech industry, I couldn’t stop thinking about what it means to create something world-changing when the odds are already stacked against you,” says Kirkman. “The support from the Black Studies department at Washington University helped ground the series in real history and cultural memory, so even as the narrative evolves, it’s tethered to truth. GONZO is about what happens when that brilliance goes up against global empires and systems designed to keep progress out. It’s a story I’ve never seen told from our point of view.”

07 Nov 2025

High Noon – Martha’s Daughter: Writing About Saint Louis and its Environs with David Haynes, Professor Emeritus of English, Southern Methodist University

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Join us for the weekly High Noon lunch and learn series as author David Haynes discusses a piece of advice he often gives the writers he works with: “Think about how you can give your readers a better sense of where the story takes place.” 

The characters in Haynes’ stories and novels are strongly influenced by the places they live, be that the streets of Saint Paul lined with craftsman cottages, or in most cases, many and various neighborhoods of Saint Louis City and County. He urges writers to consider how they think about evoking a place, and how the places we live in and love shape our imagination. Haynes will share some examples from his most recent collection, Martha’s Daughter: A Novella and Stories.

Haynes is the author of seven novels for adults and five books for younger readers and is an emeritus professor of English at Southern Methodist University, where he directed the creative writing program for ten years.

07 Nov 2025

Staff Spotlight: Director of Community Engagement Arica Foster

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When Arica Foster joined the KAF team back in 2013, the Foundation had not even assembled as an organization and the Kranzberg Arts Center on Grand was its only activation. Residing in the Metropolitan Artists Lofts across the street, Foster was seeking ways to become connected to the Grand Center Arts District community and attended an event at the Kranzberg Arts Center, where she became connected to KAF staffers. The rest, as they say, is history. Fast forward to 2025, and Foster is now the Foundation’s Director of Community Engagement, working daily to build bridges between KAF and the community it serves.

What is your favorite part of your job at KAF?

My favorite part of my job is to be in position to lift and support artists. I love the opportunity I have to curate programs that create a platform for expression. I also love the way I have grown and have been exposed to amazing culture.

How do you feel your role directly supports the KAF mission?

My role directly supports the KAF mission in so many ways. The fact that I am able to go out into the community and meet people where they are provides the accessibility and inclusiveness that is required to sustain community partnerships and relations.

What do you love most about the St. Louis arts community?

I love the rich heritage and legacy that the St. Louis arts community possesses. We are a very diverse, multitalented and authentic community.

What do you personally do (outside of work) to engage in the arts?

Outside of KAF, I am the founder and producer of PACE STL. PACE is an acronym for, Perform-Arts-Create-Expression. PACE STL celebrated its 10th year of serving the community through free family oriented programming and showcases in February 2025. PACE is a platform that was created to bring an opportunity for artists/creatives to be showcased while providing a cultural experience for the family.

Who are some of your favorite St. Louis artists/musicians/creators that people should check out?

BeBe the NeoSoul, Root Mod, Lamar Harris and Anita Jackson.

03 Nov 2025

The Sovereign Celebrates Opening with an Official Ribbon Cutting

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The Sovereign Celebrates Opening with an Official Ribbon Cutting

St. Louis’ newest Independent concert venue, The Sovereign, celebrated its recent opening in the Grand Center Arts District with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, October 29. Created in partnership with and operated by Old Rock House, The Sovereign is the brainchild of Lawrence Group and New + Found CEO Steve Smith, KAF Executive Director Chris Hansen, and Old Rock House Managing Partner Tim Weber.

In addition to the partners, local dignitaries and VIPs including St. Louis Alderwoman Laura Keys; Saint Louis University Provost Mike Lewis; Grand Center, Inc. President and CEO Peg Weathers; Ken and Nancy Kranzberg; and Brooks Goedeker, Executive Director of Saint Louis Midtown Redevelopment Corporation gathered at 3306 Washington Blvd. to cut the ribbon and officially welcome The Sovereign to St. Louis.

“My singular goal with The Sovereign is to embody the independent spirit of musical artists through a physical venue,” said Weber. “This place has been an absolute labor of love, and I am thrilled to finally introduce it to the great music community in St. Louis.”

The Sovereign Celebrates Opening with an Official Ribbon CuttingWeber said he hopes to have at least 40 shows booked at The Sovereign by the end of the year, with artists Josh Meloy, Josh Ritter, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Pieces of a Dream, Black Stone Cherry, Noise Pollution: The AC/DC Experience, Android Paranoid, Voodoo Tom Petty, and Dr. Zhivegas among the artists already scheduled for 2025.

The Sovereign occupies the former Pavyer Printing Machine Works building, constructed in 1922 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lawrence Group, in collaboration with general contractor Integrate Construction Partners, worked to transform the century-old building into the state-of-the-art, 1,200-capacity concert venue featuring a 40 ft x 32 ft stage, two dedicated green rooms with bathroom/shower, hospitality suite, large lobby area, and two full-service bars and portable bar. 

Designers worked to incorporate elements of the building’s original interior into its redesign, from its exposed brick walls, historic wood-framed storefront, mezzanine, and grand staircase to its high ceilings and classic white mosaic tile floor.

Completion of The Sovereign rides the wave of recent, positive economic development in The Grand Center East area, which recently witnessed the $125 million renovation of historic Powell Hall, home to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra; the Angad Arts Hotel joining Hilton’s Tapestry Collection; a new tenant in the former Bulrush StL Restaurant; and development of The Key  Burger Bar & Boogie, now open in two historic Olive Street properties that once faced demolition.

For more information about upcoming concerts at The Sovereign, please click here

Photo Credit: Tom Paule Photography

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