Johnson County Library is proud to share the work of Kansas City metro area visual artists in our library art galleries. We have ten library branches with dedicated art gallery spaces to inspire people of all ages and beautify our libraries. We seek a diverse selection of artwork that inspires, educates and promotes community connection. If you're a local artist interested in submitting your artwork for consideration, learn more here.
Painter Barbara McLaughlin is a passionate caregiver and artist. Starting out as a portrait artist, she has incorporated her study with reiki, healing and meditation into her pieces, creating work that expresses her practice of healing through creative expression and...
Fluid artist Casey Kempter creates abstract art inspired by space, oceans and sea life. Using varying viscosities of acrylic paint, powder pigments and ink, Kempter manipulates the mediums with palette knives, spades and a heat gun, resulting in pieces expressive of movement...
A native of Sudan, Hassaballa Omar Hassablla now lives and creates art in Olathe, Kansas. Hassaballa’s background is in anthropology, but he was inspired to paint by the views of Mount Rainier and the Sudanese landscapes and traditions. His stylized and vibrant pieces are a...
Hugo Ximello-Salido is a multidisciplinary, Mexican American artist whose work explores themes of cultural and personal identity, communication, connection and intersection. Inspired by culture, history and contemporary issues, the artist creates thoughtful pieces full of...
Kelly Yarbrough is based in Manhattan, Kansas and works within an ecosystem of mixed media drawing and painting, arts administration and educational program development directly inspired by the nature of the tallgrass prairie. She enjoys collaborating with ecologists and...
Originally from Mexico City, KCMO artist Margarita Friedman is a painter, educator and co-founder of Art Garden KC. Her paintings are inspired by her experiences and communicate a social message. Margarita’s artwork will be on display at the Antioch branch until April 30...
Former Hallmark executive and trained printmaker Patti Streeper has turned her creative energy toward painting. With a focus on portraits, Patti uses art to tell the stories of women who have made significant contributions to society. Streeper’s artwork is on display at the...
Kansas City native Robert Castillo is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, music producer and visual artist. His work is driven by creative experimentation and draws inspiration from his heritage, his music background and abstract art. Robert’s artwork will be on display at...
Anita Easterwood is a portrait artist and illustrator from Kansas City, KS with over 13 years of experience. She received her Bachelors in Art from Kansas State University, and Masters in African American Studies from The University of Kansas. Specializing in traditional...
Becky Brinkley is a native Kansan and Kansas City Art Institute alumna living and working in the KC area. Becky has worked with ceramics, fiber arts and photography. Her most recent work has been experimenting with alternative photographic processes, using plants and direct...
