Events

Art, Language & Play features original art work by Stephen T. Johnson, an author and illustrator of children’s books who has been nationally published and exhibited. Johnson’s art forges connections between words, objects, and ideas.

Much of his work is characterized by an interest in the alphabet and language, which began with his book Alphabet City, a Caldecott Honor book, and A is for Art: An Abstract Alphabet, named the New York Times Illustrated Book of the Year.

A new exhibit based on the Kansas City Star Magazine series and book by Steve Paul. It features 22-by-28-inch reproductions of pages from the book, which celebrates Kansas City’s architectural scene one letter at a time.

This exhibit is on display in the Fifth Floor Exhibit Space.

The newest exhibition of the Orval Hixon Gallery, New Compositions: The Dance Portraiture of Orval Hixon, is on display from June 11, 2011 through 2013 at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St. The exhibit features a rich selection of Hixon’s portraits, including images of some of the best-known dancers of his time.

To most local landscape architects, Hare & Hare is a household name. The firm has left an indelible mark on some of the most iconic and often-visited areas of Kansas City—the Country Club Plaza, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Loose Park, Ward Parkway, and Mission Hills among them.

Bring toddlers ages 18-36 months for a 20 minute storytime, followed by a fun craft in the Art Spot.

Join us for a lively and engaging time with other grown ups.

Part 2 of a three-part series, this class builds on skills taught in Southeast's "Intro to Microsoft Word." We'll focus on making corrections, cutting and pasting text, and changing fonts and font sizes. Attendance at "Intro to Microsoft Word" required. Uses Microsoft Word 2002/XP. Space is limited, registration required; call 816-701-3484 to register.

Bring toddlers ages 18-36 months for a 20 minute storytime, followed by a fun craft in the Art Spot.

Learn what the Internet and your Internet browser can do for you! This class concentrates on the basics of online searches.

No registration necessary.

Call 816-701-3489 for more information.

Bring toddlers ages 18-36 months for a 20 minute storytime, followed by a fun craft in the Art Spot.

Join us for a basic overview of couponing and strategic shopping that should cut your grocery bill by 20%. Includes general discussion of where to find coupons, creating a price book, stockpiling, rebates, coupon organization, and general couponing terminology.

Call Christy at 816-701-3489 for more information.

Crocheting and Knitting Club will meet on April 12 & 26 @ 2:00pm. Gather with people who share the same interest as you! Bring something to share such as a project you have completed or a current project you are working on.

Call Christy at 816-701-3489 for more information.

Come and play Wii video games and board games. Bring your own games and share the joy of playing with your friends.

Teen Gaming has a Wii console, a PlayStation2 and a XBOX 360 plus an array of board games for you to enjoy. A chess board is always available for some great competitive games. Bring your own video games and share the joy of playing with all your mates.

Teens are invited to have a relaxing and fun time and hang out with their friends. The activities include books, crafts, music, computer games, Wii, and Dance Dance Revolution, depending on what teens would like to do. Teenport@Westport is scheduled on 2nd Thursday of each month.

Are you feeling sluggish, need to shape up, lose weight or maybe you'd just like to work on strengthening? Come exercise with us on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30pm, and Saturdays 10:00-11:00AM. This is a DVD led exercise group. Stop by and follow along with this week's workout. There are Zumba DVDs available to this group upon request.

Biographer Justin Wolff examines the life and art of Missouri’s Thomas Hart Benton, whose murals bejewel many a public building. From the 1930s to his death in 1973, Benton’s distinctive visual style and nationalistic views made him the object of both veneration and scorn. The issues raised by his art and attitudes dominated debate in the post-war world of painting.

Wolff is an assistant professor of art history at the University of Maine. He is the author of Richard Caton Woodville: American Painter, Artful Dodger.