Exhibitions
Art is always happening at the Library - come see what's new!
We’re proud to showcase artwork that inspires, educates and brings our community together. Ten of our Library locations feature dedicated gallery spaces where visual artists from across the Kansas City metro area exhibit their work. These displays are enjoyed by visitors of all ages—and they help make our Libraries even more vibrant and welcoming.
We’re fortunate to partner with InterUrban ArtHouse, which curates exhibitions at all Library branches except the Central Resource Library. InterUrban ArtHouse also partners with the Library to offer art-centered events including hands-on workshops, performances, classes, and more.
Explore our current exhibitions:
- Preview the featured artwork
- Get to know the artists and their creative perspectives
- Find out where and when each exhibit is on display
Amanda McCollum
Corinth Library, now through Aug. 17
Amanda McCollum is a graphic designer, illustrator, and fine artist based in Overland Park, Kansas. Her work bridges the gap between technology and nature, aiming to inspire deeper connections with the natural world. Through digital illustrations, McCollum creates vibrant compositions that intertwine flora, fauna, and human figures, often featuring intricate arrangements of flowers, birds, and insects. Her pieces invite viewers into imagined ecosystems where color and scale are manipulated to evoke wonder and contemplation.
McCollum’s art has been showcased in various exhibitions, including her solo show “Entangled Ecosystems” at The Beggars Table in Kansas City, Missouri. She has also participated in group exhibitions such as “The Sketchbook Project” at the Kansas City Artists’ Coalition and “Three Artists” at the Tim Murphy Art Gallery in Merriam, Kansas. Beyond her artistic practice, McCollum is the owner of Paint, Twist, & Party, where she offers custom artwork and engages with the community through art events. For more information about the artist visit ammymccollumart.net.
Ashley Nerman
Blue Valley Library, now through Aug. 17.
Ashley Nerman’s art draws from meditative introspection, nature, ritual, and global travels, blending influences from numerology, cosmology and quantum physics with high-vibration codes through mantras. Each piece acts as a portal, inviting viewers on a transformative journey that heals, inspires and uplifts the spirit. Nerman’s creations are a captivating exploration of self-discovery, reflecting a dynamic fusion of mysticism, the cosmos and profound scientific insights. Through this combination, the artist delves into the unseen forces that shape our universe and our place within it.
Her work encourages viewers to pause, reflect and connect with the subtle energies that unite us all—ourselves, each other and the cosmos. It’s both a celebration and exploration of timeless truths, an invitation to experience art as more than a visual encounter, but as a means of deeper understanding and connection. Nerman holds degrees in Textile Design and Art History from the University of Kansas.
Bryce Holt
Oak Park Library, now through Aug. 17.
Bryce Holt’s art is driven by narrative. Before a single brushstroke touches the canvas, a story begins to take shape in his mind. A self-taught figurative artist, Holt merges the bold color and energy of pop art with the dreamlike qualities of surrealism.
Each painting invites viewers to explore, drawing out their inner storyteller through vibrant hues and unexpected juxtapositions. Accompanying every piece is a written narrative—a glimpse into the artist’s imagined world. Holt encourages viewers to embrace their own interpretations, allowing their imaginations to wander wherever the art may lead. His goal is to transport audiences to alternate realities, spark conversation and contemplation, and inspire an appreciation for the unexpected. For more information, visit @bryceholtart.
Devin Edwards
Shawnee Library, now until Aug. 17.
Devin Edwards creates dynamic works that balance complementary colors, using acrylic on canvas and, for murals, acrylic on walls. Each piece is designed to evoke emotion, reinforcing the message and purpose embedded within the art.
Edwards’s work serves as a visual representation of both personal reflections and collective dreams for the future. With a deep commitment to the community that has given so much, the artist embraces the challenge of using art as a catalyst for inspiration and change—transforming visions into vibrant, meaningful expressions that resonate with the world. For more information, visit @halfmoonstudioz.
Feliz Kehinde
Lenexa City Center Library, now until Aug. 17.
Feliz Kehinde's work explores the rich and multifaceted experiences of the Black community, using texture and vibrant colors to tell stories of identity, culture and resilience. Through painting, Kehinde delves into themes of heritage, connection and self-expression, often drawing inspiration from personal experiences and the beauty of everyday life. The artist aims to create pieces that spark dialogue, evoke emotion, and celebrate the strength and diversity within our communities. For more information, visit @felizkehinde.art.
Isaac Tapia
Merriam Plaza Library, now until Aug. 17.
Isaac Tapia is a muralist and painter based in Kansas City, Missouri. Tapia’s paintings explore the many aesthetic experiences of migration, fusing classical techniques of European portraiture with the bright colors,
textures and patterns of my childhood in Mexico and the fluid imagery found in animation and street art that inspired the artist as an adolescent in the United States. Tapia’s portraits are visual tributes to the many stories of struggle and triumph within the artist’s community. The faces-and stories-within the work expand upon existing narratives about representation and identity. By visually elevating those often overlooked by society, Tapia honors their journeys and celebrate the moments of joy, resilience, resistance and peace that accompany survival. More information about the artist, visit @tapia.isaac.
Isabel Flores
Leawood Pioneer Library, now until Aug. 17.
Isabel Flores is a 2023 graduate of the Chiapas Visual Arts School, where she focused on painting. Originally from Chiapas, Mexico, and now based in Kansas City, Missouri, Flores experiments with a range of dry and wet techniques, primarily oil painting, watercolors and non-traditional materials like fabric scraps, threads and image transfers. Her work explores her Mexican roots, women's portraits and themes of race, class and gender. Flores has a deep love for animals and often paints portraits of dogs and cats. Additionally, she has studied Arts Education and works as a children's teacher. She views artistic creation as a means of expression that connects and transforms, opening new possibilities. For more information on the artist, visit @isabelfloresart.
Johnson County Developmental Supports’ Emerging Artists
Central Library, May 16 through June 29.
The Emerging Artists program, offered by Johnson County Developmental Supports (JCDS), an agency within Johnson County Government, is an "art as employment" initiative designed to empower adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through creative expression. Based at the Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center, the program provides a dynamic studio space where passionate and driven artists create meaningful artwork.
For these artists, the program is more than just a source of income—it fosters self-expression, builds self-esteem, and promotes equal citizenship. At its heart, the Emerging Artists program prioritizes the individual as an artist first, celebrating their unique abilities and talents rather than defining them by their disability.
The studio is alive with creativity, as artists explore a variety of mediums, including acrylic paint, watercolor, ink, textiles, and ceramics. Each artist brings their own distinct vision and voice, producing work that reflects their individuality and passion.
The theme for this exhibit, “Color Your World,” captures the spirit of the Emerging Artists. In the studio, color serves as an endless source of inspiration and experimentation. It’s a tool for expressing ideas, evoking emotions, and using choice to build the world one wants to see. For the Emerging Artists, color is a vibrant way to communicate their perspectives and transform their world.
Stay connected with the JCDS Emerging Artists by following them on Facebook and Instagram for updates on studio sales, exhibits, and the incredible art they create.
Joleen Goff
Gardner Library, now through Aug. 17.
Joleen Goff’s artwork serves as a visual record of the interplay between color, texture and pattern through printmaking, painting, and collage. She combines these elements to create layered, visual narratives that express a specific idea or simply capture the history of the processes involved. For more information on the artist, visit @joleenkaygoff.
Kelly Scott
Cedar Roe Library, now through Aug. 17.
Kelly Scott explores the balance between structure and fluidity, blending geometric and organic forms. By juxtaposing sharp edges with soft gradients, vibrant color accents against dark backgrounds and rhythmic marks that shift into dynamic flux, the artist captures the interplay between contrast and harmony. For more information, follow @kellysartthrob.
Wreck the Painting by Justice-involved Youth
Central Resource Library, July 7 through Aug. 17.
The artworks on view were created by justice-involved youth during a summer workshop at the Juvenile Detention Center (JDC). The facility in Olathe, KS, is a 69-bed building which houses juveniles from ages 10-17. The JDC is a secure youth detention center used by the Johnson County District Court to hold juveniles who are awaiting detention hearings, state custody placement, placement into a Kansas State Juvenile Correctional Facility, or release back to legal guardians.
The JDC provides the following services to all the juveniles housed at the facility: on-site medical care, visitation schedules, mail privileges, recreational activities, and mental health services. Education is administered by the Olathe School District. All credits accrued while in the facility are transferred to the school in which the juvenile is currently enrolled.
The JDC is licensed by the Kansas Department for Children and Families. The JDC has an extensive volunteer program. Over 70 active community partners provide a multitude of services to the juveniles including: recreational programs, bible studies & religious services, chaplaincy, life skills classes, stress/conflict/anger management, a mentorship program, and library services (provided by Johnson County Library).
Baby Art Club
Central Resource Library, July 7 through Aug. 17.
Welcome to our celebration of the youngest artists in our community! The artwork you see here was created by babies (birth to 18 months) and their caregivers in the Baby Art Club – a summer program designed to spark curiosity in our littlest learners. Through joyful stories, playful songs, and hands-on art activities, these budding artists explored colors, textures, and shapes in an environment filled with wonder. Each piece reflects the uninhibited imagination and discovery of a child’s earliest encounters with art. In Baby Art Club, the process is the masterpiece. These vibrant works capture moments of exploration, connection, and delight.