Alumni Weekend
Friday, September 11 - Sunday, September 13, 2026
The Alumni Relations Office is hosting its annual Alumni Weekend this fall at the Kansas City Art Institute.
All alumni are invited to return to campus for a lively weekend of workshops, panel discussions, and creative social events with food, drinks, and plenty of time to reconnect.
Alumni Weekend Featured Artist: Janet Neuwalder (’84 Ceramics)
Janet Neuwalder (’84 Ceramics) is a contemporary clay installation artist, vessel maker, and educator. Her work evokes a sense of history and reflects her reverence for the natural world, from the microscopic to the macroscopic, and the poignancy of human experience. Through her practice, she seeks to preserve, illuminate, and memorialize shared human stories.
Janet's participation will include several opportunities for alumni, students, and the broader KCAI community to engage with her work. On Thursday, September 10, at 7 p.m., she will present a lecture on her artistic practice and career as part of KCAI's Current Perspectives Lecture Series.
Friday, September 11
Morning
10–11:30 a.m.
KCAI Fantastic Hat Parade
Location: KCAI Campus
4415 Warwick Blvd, Kansas City, MO
Evening
7–10 p.m.
The Loopty Loo Opening Party
Produced by Likewise KC
Location: Emily & Todd Voth Artspace
16 E 43rd St, Kansas City, MO
The Loopty Loo Opening Party
7–10 p.m.
Emily & Todd Voth Artspace
The Loopty Loo is a party marking the closing of the "Cellphone Rollercoaster" exhibition at the Emily & Todd Voth Artspace and the opening of Alumni Weekend. Put on your ruffles, stripes, and polka dots because it's time to clown! Paint. Draw. Spin. Throw. This crafty carnival will have games to conjure moments of whimsy, silliness, and absurdity together. Step right up! The Loopty Loo isn't a party without you darling—so come dance, play, and become part of the magic.
Cellphone Rollercoaster
A performative sculptural installation by Noelle Choy (KCAI Faculty, Painting) and William Lanzillo, Cellphone Rollercoaster invites visitors to participate by sending their cellphones on a wild ride to experience this miniature amusement park within the gallery.
Likewise KC is a design studio founded by KCAI alum Sara Lucas ('16 Graphic Design) and Mollie Bailey, graduate of KU Graphic Design 2019, creating event design for parties that turn into stories and brand experiences that feel seamless and soulful.
Saturday, September 12
Morning
9–10 a.m.
Check-in and Breakfast
Vanderslice Reception Rooms and Mildred Kemper Terrace
9–11 a.m
Campus Tour
Meet outside Vanderslice on Rowland Commons
10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
[Panel Discussion] Crafting Careers: The Evolving Curriculum at KCAI
Epperson Auditorium
[Workshop] Ceramic Monoprinting
Ceramics Department Elective Studio
Limited spots, first come first serve!
[Workshop] Plein Air Session
Meet at the patio on the north end of the Painting Department
What you will need: Bring you favorite portable sketchbooks and drawing supplies!
[Workshop] Relief Printing with Two Tone Press
Illustration Department - Room 203
Limited spots, first come first serve!
10:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
[Activity] DIY Laser-Cut Keychain Activity at Beals Studio
David T. Beals III Studios for Art and Technology
Afternoon
12–1:30 p.m.
Lunch
Wylie Dining
1–3 p.m.
Campus Tour
Meet outside Vanderslice on Rowland Commons
1:30–3 p.m.
[Panel Discussion] Alumni in Practice: Community Presentations by KCAI Alumni
Epperson Auditorium
[Workshop] Ceramic Monoprinting
Ceramics Department Elective Studio
Limited spots, first come first serve!
[Workshop] Plein Air Session
Meet at the patio on the north end of the Painting Department
What you will need: Bring you favorite portable sketchbooks and drawing supplies!
[Workshop] Relief Printing with Two Tone Press
Illustration Department - Room 203
Limited spots, first come first serve!
[Activity] Live Printing on T-shirts with Viva La Tinta
Rowland Commons
What you will need: bring a light colored cotton T-Shirt to print on, limited t-shirts will be available!
3–5 p.m.
Department Gatherings
KCAI Faculty will open the studio departments to welcome back alumni!
5–8 p.m.
Exhibition Opening Reception of Twenty-Two Springs: Two Tone Press and KCAI Ceramics
Featuring musical performance by Dub Vendors, featuring Allan Winkler ('75 Ceramics)
KCAI Gallery & Campus Green
Check-in & Parking
Check-in Details
On Saturday, there will be a check-in table on Rowland Commons outside of Vanderslice Hall. The check-in table will open at 9 a.m. where you can pick up your name badge and receive other information about Alumni Weekend. Click HERE for the KCAI campus map.
On Sunday, events will take place in Vanderslice Hall, the Mildred Kemper Terrace and Epperson Auditorium. There is no official check-in for this event, please make your way into Vanderslice for the Farewell Brunch or to the Kemper Terrace behind Vanderslice facing the campus green. Remember to bring your name badge with you!
Parking & Getting There
The RideKC Streetcar is a great way to get to campus. Running from the River Market on the north end to UMKC on the south, the KC Streetcar runs daily providing free transportation to all riders. The KCAI campus is just 0.3 miles from the KC Streetcar Art Museums stop.
Street parking will be available. Campus parking lots will also be available. If you are a member of the Nelson-Atkins Museum, you can park in their parking lot.
PANEL DISCUSSION
Crafting Careers: The Evolving Curriculum at KCAI
10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
Epperson Auditorium
Led by Director of Alumni Relations and Professional Practice, Cory Imig, this faculty panel provides a "state of the school" look at how KCAI's evolving curriculum integrates experiential learning and real-world partnerships to prepare students for professional creative careers.
Panelists:
Marie Bannerot McInerney (Prof & Chair of Fiber)
tyler galloway (Prof & Joyce C. Hall Chair of Graphic Design)
Miguel Rivera Ortega (Assoc Prof & Chair of Printmaking)
David Terrill (Prof of Illustration)
PANEL DISCUSSION
Alumni in Practice: Community Presentations by KCAI Alumni
1:30–3 p.m.
Epperson Auditorium
Led by Alumni and Professional Practice Manager, Audrey Kesler, Alumni in Practice is a community-centered Alumni Weekend event featuring a series of short presentations from KCAI alumni across disciplines, industries, and career stages.
Panelists:
Nora Snyder ('24 Animation)
Paige Beltowski ('15 Fiber)
Chris Kienke ('94 Illustration)
Irvin Tepper ('69 Ceramics)
Tom North (attended '76-'79, Photography)
Edward Gallucci ('13 Photography & Graphic Design)
August DeMarea ('19 Illustration)
Phil Shafer ('00 Photo/New Media)
Charlotte May ('20 Sculpture)
Alan Sharpe ('23 Animation)
Holly Hayden ('03 Illustration)
Valerie Doran Bashaw ('84 Fiber)
Jessica Wohl (Design & Illustration)
Aaron McIntosh ('25 Product Design)
Randi Bachman ('22 Ceramics)
WORKSHOP
Ceramic Monoprinting, Hosted & Presented by Art+Design Labs
10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. & 1:30–3 p.m.
Ceramics Elective Studio
Led by Caroline Stran (‘19 Ceramics), learn the basics of monoprint transfers. Participants will learn the steps of this printmaking technique and how it can be applied to ceramics. Each participant will get a chance to paint and transfer their own unique print of the KCAI frog to take home with them.
Limited spots, first come first serve!
What you will need: all supplies provided, bring yourselves!
WORKSHOP
Plein Air Session, Hosted & Presented by Art+Design Labs
10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. & 1:30–3 p.m.
Meet at the patio on the north end of the Painting Department
Led by Caroline Honas (‘22 Painting), bring your favorite portable sketchbooks and drawing supplies to paint en plein air. Participants will be invited to find a spot to work on a short walking loop around the KCAI campus and Nelson-Atkins lawn, which features unique, historic architecture and landscaping. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a casual group drawing session!
What you will need: Bring you favorite portable sketchbooks and drawing supplies! If you don’t have these, you can purchase art supplies at the Underground Art Store
WORKSHOP
Relief Printing with Two Tone Press, Hosted & Presented by Art+Design Labs
10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. & 1:30–3 p.m.
Illustration Department - Room 203
Led by Michelle Dreher (‘01 Design & Art History) and Angie Dreher, this workshop is designed as a creative, "get your hands dirty" experience where participants use LEGO tile blocks as a printing matrix. Instead of traditional hand-carved linoleum, you build your design using the geometric shapes of bricks to create a relief surface.
Limited spots, first come first serve!
What you will need: all supplies provided, bring yourselves!
ACTIVITY
DIY Laser-Cut Keychain Activity at Beals Studio
10:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
David T. Beals III Studios for Art and Technology
Led by Studio Coordinator Ki Jean Sierra (‘22 Graphic Design), Beals Studios will guide and support alumni with a hands-on DIY laser-cut keychains experience and showcase their capabilities through laser cutting and 3D printing demonstrations.
What you will need: all supplies provided, bring yourselves!
ACTIVITY
Live Printing on T-shirts with Viva La Tinta
1:30–3 p.m.
Rowland Commons
Led by Edwing Mendez (‘14 Graphic Design) and the Viva La Tinta team, alumni can watch Viva La Tinta print shirts live that they can take home as a keepsake for Alumni Weekend 2026. Bring your own T-shirt to print, limited will be available the day of the event.
What you will need: bring a light colored cotton T-Shirt to print on, limited t-shirts will be available! Alumni can bring their shirts for printing starting at 1:00 p.m.!
Sunday, September 13
Morning
10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Farewell Brunch with Nerman Family President, Dr. Peggy Shannon and the Alumni Weekend Featured Artist
Vanderslice Reception Rooms and Mildred Kemper Terrace
Afternoon
3–5 p.m.
KCAI Ren Fest Happy Hour
Location: Kansas City Renaissance Festival
Hear ye, hear ye! The beloved Kansas City Renaissance Festival is approaching its golden 50th anniversary. To honor this legacy, KCAI is returning to the very grounds where the journey began to raise our banners once more. Join us for Happy Hour with a cash bar inside the Festival. Your welcome bag includes a complimentary admission ticket for the day and access to the gathering, so come reconnect with fellow artisans and celebrate the enduring bond between KCAI and the Renaissance Festival!
Book Your Hotel
Spark by Hilton Kansas City Plaza Streetcar is a preferred hotel of the Kansas City Art Institute, conveniently located just steps from campus. Located on Main St. and a five minute walk from campus, Spark by Hilton is offering a discounted rate for our alumni visiting from out of town. Please call the hotel directly to book a room at: 816-561-9600
Other hotels within walking distance of campus include:
See Who's Coming to Alumni Weekend:
Maryanna Adelman ('85 Painting)
Bentley Allen ('26 Animation)
Noah Anthony ('22 Graphic Design)
Mary J Arthur ('91 Painting)
Randi Bachman ('22 Ceramics)
Erick Bachmann ('86 Sculpture)
Emalee Ball ('26 Graphic Design)
Gail Barnett-Holdgraf ('91 Fiber)
Mia Barnhard ('25 Illustration)
Debbie Barrett-Jones ('07 Fiber)
Micah Barta ('11 Graphic Design)
Jason Bays ('98 Design & Illustration)
David Beall ('96 Illustration)
Paige Beltowski ('15 Fiber)
Bradley Benton ('26 Animation)
Sarah Berger ('86 Painting)
Mariah Blackburn ('17 Animation)
Belinda Blake ('81 Photography)
Lester Boles ('77 Photography)
Caleb Bowman ('99 Sculpture)
Rochelle Brickner ('15 Fiber)
Mary Lou Brous ('82 Design)
Luka Brown ('23 Animation)
Sandy (Brown) Betts ('93 Fiber)
Adam Buritsch ('09 Animation)
James Jeff Burk ('79 Photography)
Christian Cahalan ('23 Illustration)
Marcus Cain ('98 Painting & Printmaking)
Faviola Calymayor ('18 Painting)
Vi Carlile ('18 Illustration)
Londyn Carter ('25 Ceramics)
Jeremy Casper ('09 Animation)
Goldfish Cavanaugh ('25 Animation)
Jake Cecil ('17 Animation)
Mike Cerv ('17 Ceramics)
Megan Channell ('01 Painting)
Jacquetta Charles ('07 Graphic Design)
Emma Charles ('17 Animation)
Steve Choo ('95 Painting)
Renée Cinderhouse ('01 Sculpture)
Jenn Claytor ('26 Painting)
Jeff Cochran ('03 Photo/New Media)
Sarah Cockrell ('99 Illustration)
Kathy Coey ('81 Painting)
Rory Collins ('24 Ceramics)
Brian Collum ('93 Photography)
Jason Comotto ('11 Photography)
Rebecca Cook ('19 Animation)
Kyra Correa ('24 Illustration)
Becky Cox ('97 Printmaking)
Michael Crane ('79 Photography)
Steve Cromwell (Associate Professor of Art History)
Jeffrey S. Crowe ('93 Ceramics)
Shea Dailey ('26 Painting)
Chad Day ('26 Ceramics)
Greta de la Rua ('16 Painting)
Darcy Deal ('91 Photography)
Kris Deleon ('25 Animation)
August DeMarea ('19 Illustration)
Eden Demaree ('26 Film)
Avery Dennison ('16 Fiber)
Terry Diel ('67 Painting)
Bryan Dilks ('93 Design)
Molly Dillon ('15 Painting)
Max Dlabick ('16 Illustration)
Valerie Doran Bashaw ('84 Fiber)
Rebecca Dowell ('09 Graphic Design)
Julie (Dougherty) Montroy ('96 Sculpture)
John Dretzka ('01 Filmmaking)
Kristina Duckson ('20 Illustration)
Melody Eber ('10 Fiber)
Allegra Eccles ('24 Graphic Design)
Annette Elich-Parker ('77 Photography)
Brett W. Ellis ('99 Design)
Melissa Elmusa ('09 Fiber)
Mary Hamam Elmusa ('78 Painting)
E Erickson ('26 Animation)
Cary Esser ('78 Ceramics)
Jeremy Evans ('03 Fiber)
Gabriel Ewing ('21 Illustration)
Miriam Feingold ('00 Painting)
Stanton W. Fernald ('95 Design)
Anella Fernandez ('21 Ceramics)
Althea Flores ('22 Illustration)
Susan Flower ('21 Ceramics)
Timothy Fox ('93 Painting)
Henry Frier ('23 Film)
Dan Frueh ('94 Photo/Video)
Caleigh Gabel ('25 Ceramics)
Ed Gallucci ('13 Photography)
Lakin Gambill ('23 Animation)
Luis Garcia ('04 Design)
Paige Gloria ('24 Animation)
Archie Gobber ('88 Painting)
Stephen Goldblatt ('75 Printmaking)
Roberto Gomez ('25 Ceramics)
Crystal Gonzalez Long ('11 Painting)
Nancy Gordon ('24 Ceramics)
Alex Gorsuch('25 Illustration)
Kristy Greathouse ('99 Painting & Printmaking)
Ann Marie Greenberg ('90 Painting)
Mark Greenberg ('90 Painting)
Forrest Greswold (attended '65-'67)
Paul Guinto ('02 Photo/New Media)
Eva Louise Hall ('12 Animation)
Christopher Hamm ('94 Design)
Doreen Hann ('93 Design)
Darren Hanshaw ('81 Design)
Clint Hanson ('18 Sculpture)
Muriel Hansen ('19 Ceramics & Art History)
Shari Hartbauer ('86 Photography)
Stanley Hattaway ('67 Design)
Kayla Haubenschild ('19 Printmaking)
Lauren Haught ('21 Illustration)
Holly J. Hayden ('03 Illustration)
Diana Heise (Professor of Filmmaking and Photography)
Olivia Helms ('26 Painting)
Andrew Hergert ('07 Painting)
Ben Hill ('22 Painting & Art History)
Sarah Hillis ('13 Photography & Art History)
Joseph R. Hoffman ('96 Illustration)
Melvin Hogan ('00 Design)
Kathryn Hogan ('00 Design)
Hannah Holt ('26 Animation)
Meredith Host ('01 Ceramics)
Ella Hourigan ('25 Illustration)
Roger Houts ('06 Painting)
Sam Hrabko ('21 Animation) ('25 Illustration)
Lynnsie Hudson ('22 Graphic Design)
Melissa Hughes Callaway ('06 Fiber)
Richard Hull ('77 Painting)
Margo Hulse ('13 Illustration)
Cara L. Humphries ('88 Sculpture)
David Hunt ('88 Painting)
Oscar Hunt ('26 Painting)
Miranda Hursman ('20 Painting & Art History)
Analee Hyacinthe ('25 Printmaking)
Andrea James ('22 Graphic Design)
Nina Jaramillo ('25 Animation)
Brenna Jean-Paul ('26 Animation)
Joelle Jensen ('96 Printmaking)
Mandy Johnson ('05 Painting)
John Johnston ('96 Photo/Video)
Charlie Jones ('20 Fiber)
Jean Jones ('75 Painting)
Mark Kabak (attended, '71-'73)
Fredrick Kaufmanschmidt ('26 Film)
Bryan Kearney ('97 Painting)
Teri Keegan-Castrop ('84 Sculpture)
Peter Keenan ('78 Ceramics)
Mark Kelley ('00 Painting)
Chris Kienke ('94 Design)
Jinblossom Kim Plati ('20 Ceramics)
Matt Kirby ('81 Sculpture)
Jade Kizer Jr ('26 Animation)
Finley Klein ('25 Illustration)
Rebecca A. Koop ('79 Ceramics)
Alex Krahenbuhl ('14 Printmaking)
Donald J. Lauter ('71 Design)
Chris LaValley ('89 Painting)
Stephanie Leedy ('80 Sculpture)
Maple Leiker ('25 Animation)
Linda Lighton ('89 Sculpture)
Kim Lindaberry ('76 Ceramics)
Gardner Littleton ('21 Animation)
Kenneth Long ('11 Animation)
Sara Lucas ('16 Graphic Design)
Spencer Lutes ('25 Animation)
Christopher Lucas ('96 Sculpture)
Jennifer Madrigal ('03 New Media)
Eric Madsen ('94 Printmaking)
Jaimie Malone ('25 Animation)
Charlotte May ('20 Sculpture & Creative Writing)
Tabbetha McCale Evans ('90 Fiber)
Jeremy McConnell ('94 Printmaking)
Chloe McDaniel ('20 Animation)
Meranda McDermott ('23 Sculpture)
Jessica McGan ('04 Painting)
Mary Kay McGinty ('95 Illustration)
Aiden McGrath ('26 Animation)
Laura McGrew ('90 Painting)
Aaron McIntosh ('25 Product Design)
Ryann McKinney ('25 Ceramics)
Alysia Medlin ('14 Painting & Art History)
Edwing Mendez ('14 Graphic Design)
Samantha Mendoza ('15 Printmaking)
Emmett Merrill ('15 Printmaking)
Sascha Merryfield ('24 Fiber)
Saffie Miles ('24 Illustration)
Lexie Millikan ('15 Fiber)
Ellie Montgomery ('26 Illustration)
Benjamin Morales ('02 Illustration)
Ian Morgan ('24 Animation)
Stanley Morgan ('81 Design)
Chris Morrey ('90 Sculpture)
Theodore Morris III ('22 Animation)
Tom Morse-Brown ('12 Graphic Design)
Ali Moses ('03 Illustration)
William Musser ('00 Sculpture)
Ellie Naeger ('25 Ceramics)
Michael Nau ('81 Design)
Vanessa Navia ('25 Fiber)
Janet Neuwalder ('84 Ceramics)
Hadley Newton ('23 Illustration)
Talon Newton ('23 Illustration)
Peggy Nichols ('76 Painting & Printmaking)
Robyn Nichols ('79 Design)
Penelope Nicolopolis ('77 Painting & Printmaking)
Imani Nixon-Bile ('17 Photography)
Kobi Nolan ('23 Painting)
Ian T. Nordeck ('01 Design)
Jenna Norris ('22 Illustration)
Tom North ('80 Photography)
Jon Northington ('88 Photography)
Kadie Nugent ('15 Fiber)
Rhiannon O'Brien ('22 Illustration)
Babs O'Halloran ('24 Printmaking)
Dean Olson ('76 Painting)
Paulina Otero ('20 Fiber)
Max Penner ('60 Design)
Robert Perez ('79 Painting)
Troy Perry ('19 Interactive Arts)
Barry Phipps ('90 Painting)
Tyler Pickert ('21 Illustration)
Shelly Pinto ('86 Painting)
Maria Politis ('24 Fiber)
Avery Poole ('24 Ceramics)
Anthony Pratt ('24 Photography)
Gale Preckel ('20 Animation)
Lily Preston ('22 Painting)
Amanda Rehagen ('00 Printmaking)
Laura Rendlen ('82 Sculpture)
Christopher Renn ('00 Painting)
Gabby Reynolds ('26 Illustration)
Donnie Rice ('25 Illustration)
Piper Richardson ('26 Painting)
Jazmyne Roddy ('17 Animation)
Jon Rollins ('99 Printmaking)
Tobi Rose ('16 Illustration)
Cydney Ross ('13 Ceramics)
Drew Sabath ('23 Painting)
Samuel Sales ('26 Animation)
Ruth Scherrer ('01 Painting)
Nancy Schneider-Wilson ('82 Design)
Stefan Schulz ('17 Painting)
Jose Serrano ('15 Ceramics)
Phil Shafer ('00 Photo/New Media)
Alan Sharpe ('23 Animation)
Bill Sheldon ('73 Painting)
Gary Shipps ('94 Ceramics)
Mary Shortino ('85 Photography)
Tyrisse Simmons ('26 Animation)
Catherine Singleton ('96 Ceramics)
Shannon Sleeper ('99 Illustration)
Debra Smith ('93 Fiber)
Kari Smith ('99 Design & Illustration)
Nicole Snow ('09 Fiber)
Nora Snyder ('24 Animation)
Ashley Spikings ('25 Animation)
Deb Stavin ('74 Ceramics)
Susan Steindler ('77 Ceramics)
Dani Stine ('24 Sculpture)
Jennifer Su ('14 Photography)
Anna Sudo ('03 Sculpture)
Ann Suellentrop ('97 Photo/Video)
Sandra Summers ('83 Painting)
Andrea Sumoza ('26 Animation)
Gary Sutton (Retired Faculty)
Cindy Sutton ('88 Painting)
Kate Sutton ('26 Ceramics)
Mark F. Szymanski ('99 Illustration)
Janay Talbert ('25 Illustration)
Mira Taliaferro ('20 Animation)
Lucas Tamburelli ('26 Animation)
Gordon Tanner ('79 Design)
Evan Tedlock ('10 Animation)
Irvin Tepper ('69 Ceramics)
Jim TerMeer ('90 Design)
Jolea Thompson ('20 Painting)
Percy Thompson ('25 Illustration)
Leo Trevino ('25 Illustration)
Valentina Trindade ('19 Ceramics)
Bee Tucker ('25 Animation)
John Upchurch ('90 Painting)
Stephen Van de Castle (attended '79)
Bethany Van Roekel ('26 Graphic Design)
Suthyrn Wakefield ('25 Animation)
Jennifer Walker ('83 Sculpture)
Lily Walker ('07 Fiber & Art History)
Jason Wang ('20 Ceramics)
Davin Watne ('94 Painting)
Rose Weisburd ('87 Design)
Julia Welles ('92 Printmaking)
Hal Wert (Retired Faculty)
Thomas Wesselmann ('76 Photography)
Lisa Wharton Johnston ('96 Printmaking)
Courtney Whitaker ('18 Painting)
Leo Wille ('25 Animation)
Evan Williams ('21 Animation)
Karen Williams ('77 Painting)
Cory Williamson ('25 Illustration)
Stacy Wilson ('01 Fiber)
Allan Winkler ('75 Ceramics)
Jessica Wohl ('01 Design & Illustration)
Rena Wood ('06 Fiber)
Mazzy Woodring ('26 Animation)
Katie Wynn ('21 Graphic Design)
Creighton Yost ('96 Photography)
Emiliano Zapata ('12 Animation)
Halley Zoledziewski ('26 Photography)