Brookside Art Annual

Hey this was pretty fun! As a new Brookside resident, we absolutely had to make it to this, even if it fell on an unseasonably hot weekend this year (2021). We held off on walking there with the kiddos like we'd hoped to, but did make it for the waning, final minutes on Sunday early evening. This is in the heart of the Brookside shops, in between 63rd Street and Meyer Blvd. Tents line the streets, full of local restaurants, art, photography and jewelry. I enjoyed taking in all the creativity throughout, even if nothing quite caught my eye as I that I had to have in my home as we sped by. My kiddo was particularly infatuated with the Topsy's popcorn cart.It's a pretty perfect setting with several people walking the Trolley Trail to this, and I look forward to making it next year with fingers crossed that the weather is more fall-like.

I enjoy walking around this event every year. They have so many artists from all around the country who bring their art pieces and setup with such care. There is lighting on the artwork in most booths so even if you go in the evening you will still experience the full effect of the show. Most of the event is under a large tent. We wandered through all the vendors in about an hour and a half. The outdoor area allows dogs while the indoor area does not. Local vendors bring in food and alcohol for purchase. Great family event!

I lived in Kansas City for many years and the Brookside Art Fair was one of my favorite events. Unfortunately it has become a high priced collection of mundane art and jewelry that is not exciting or fun. I wish the Brookside art festival curators paid attention to the locale - this is the midwest, not LA or New York and high priced art and jewelry are not as popular in KC as they are in other areas.

Am I the only one in Kansas City who is not interested in over manipulated jewelery and glass? Where is the restraint? Must you hang a watercolor of flowers or children in your home to prove you are down with the Midwest? Seriously! I don't want to dodge strollers all day while sporting my handcrafted grandma scarf and wearing my kooky earrings from last year's show. I want to see something special and innovative and I would like to find more then 2 booths that match that esthetic.Bring us more modern and contemporary art. I know it is Missouri, but we can handle it. Do I have to fly to California to buy all my art? Not that I mind, but come on!

This is the art fair that determines the timing of our trip to Kansas City. We've missed a couple when our travel schedule has prevented us being here, so once we came in September and went to the Plaza Art Fair, as well as the Un-Plaza Art Fair held each year at the Unitarian Church. Last year we came in June to catch the Prairie Village fair. This is the fair we prefer, though, and Lois and I have a long history of cruising its stalls. This is its 23rd year and we've been to the majority of them. Our house and my jewelry box are full of purchases over the years. It's a juried show and draws artists from all over the country. Almost w/o exception the work is of high quality. There is art glass, wood, ceramics, woven goods and painted silk items to wear. There is jewelry and furniture and photography and watercolors, acrylics and prints. Some things are quirky and funny, some are stunningly beautiful, some don't capture our attention and a very few made me wonder why they were included at all. Because I bought the Arlie Regier sculpture yesterday today I kept my purse closed. There were several memorable and interesting works that might have tempted me otherwise, but my heart was closed today and so was my wallet.