by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC
The Kansas City Kansas Community College Art Gallery is preparing for two events in October to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
The first event is a part of the college’s historical mural program to further educate the community on local history. The event will be from 11 a.m. to Noon Oct. 12 in the Lower Jewell student area. Everyone is welcome to attend.
The speaker is Gene T. Chávez, a renowned historian, author and community leader, who will be sharing information from his book “Mexican American Baseball in Kansas City.”
Chávez’s historic work has brought a spotlight on the rich history of Kansas City. He also led the Hispanic history featured in the KCKCC and Wyandotte County Historical Mural and has two other exhibitions in the Kansas City area – the Smithsonian Institution Traveling exhibit “In the Barrios and the Big Leagues,” on display at the Kansas City Museum and “Connection Communities across State Lines: Mexican American Fast Pitch Softball Leagues” exhibition, on display at the Wyandotte County Historical Museum.
The first 30 people to register will receive a free taco to support the Hispanic Scholars Fundraiser. In addition, two signed books will be given away at the event. Registration is at https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Bm3EI-PF40K4SHY-uwLmrdWn1X0UJGlDumSuiVQiu_lUNDNCVEJLTTUxUlVXWUdDSVpGV0Y1Q09FRy4u.
The second event relates to the “Cultura” exhibition, which celebrates Hispanic artists in the Kansas City region. “Cultura” is currently on display in the KCKCC Art Gallery, Room 2346, until Oct. 21. The exhibition can be viewed from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday or by appointment.
Curator Vania Soto is well known for her intricate and colorful murals, which can be seen throughout the Kansas City area. The KCKCC art collection features three of Soto’s original murals.
The group of artists featured in “Cultura” includes Baldemar Rivas, Chico Sierra, Emily Alvarez, Kristie-Lynn McGathy, Luis Merlo, Naomi Apodaca, Nicolas Ortega and Ysabel Santacruz. The exhibit’s closing reception will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 14, and the artists will be present to discuss their works.
For more information on either event, the KCKCC Art Gallery or to schedule a private appointment, contact gallery coordinator Shai Perry at [email protected].