Port KC Commissions KCAI Students for Riverfront Murals
07.25.2024
Kansas City Art Institute Students have created four murals on the Riverfront Heritage Trail, transforming a section of levee walls along the Missouri River.
“I think it’s an important experience to give students the ability to work in this kind of manner in the public space, as well as working on their professional development and collaboration."
Port KC asked the students to reflect on "What the Missouri River means to Kansas City" and propose mural designs incorporating those ideas, according to a recently published article in Kansas City Magazine.
The students were then asked to research KC’s culture, history, nature and the Missouri River’s surrounding ecology, integrate those ideas into mural designs and then present them. Nineteen students painted the selected murals in the Spring.
Port KC plans to launch phase two of the project in late September by hosting a mural and music festival on the Heritage Riverfront Trail for the community. Festivalgoers will be able to enjoy live bands and food and watch artists paint murals in real time.