June 14, 2022
Art & Design Auction shatters records
On June 4th over 650 people gathered on campus for a fabulous night of art, food, and fun at the biennial Art & Design Auction.
For the first time in three years, KCAI welcomed friends to campus to bid on hundreds of stunning artworks donated by alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the college that were available in a silent and live auction. The artwork was showcased in the new KCAI Gallery and Barbara Marshall Residence Hall. Some of Kansas City’s biggest art collectors were in attendance and marveled at the setting and quality of the work.
Guests enjoyed DJ vibes, big band sounds, creative fare, and artisanal cocktails. A marching band, stilt walkers, and dancers performed for the crowd while costumed characters held court on velvet thrones.
Thanks to our honorary chair Julia Irene Kaufman, co-chairs Meyer and Mindy Sosland, and all of our sponsors, artists, and guests, it was our most successful Art & Design Auction yet! Proceeds benefit the Kansas City Art Institute student scholarship fund.
Take a look below at some of the highlights of the Art & Design Auction.
KCAI Names Allison J. Puff Executive VP of Academic Affairs
Allison J. Puff has joined KCAI as Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs. An accomplished academic and administrative leader, a professor of visual communications, and a lifelong artist, Puff joins the college after more than two decades at Farmingdale College in New York. Her most recent position was Academic Program Manager, where she created and revised academic programs and initiated community college admission agreements that helped to increase enrollment. Prior, she was Associate Provost, Associate Dean of Business, and Chair of the Department of Visual Communications. In her new role at KCAI, Puff will have primary leadership responsibilities for planning, implementing, and shepherding academic programs. She’ll execute strategic plans and create transformational initiatives to further strengthen academic excellence. “I have admired Allison’s career as a practitioner, educator, and leader and relied on her as a member of the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum Education Board. Her track record positions her to make an immediate and lasting impact on the college,” said Nerman Family President Ruki Neuhold-Ravikumar. Puff has an AST from Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, a BA in English and Communication Arts from Ursinus College, an MFA in Illustration as Visual Essay from the School of Visual Arts, and read more…
KCAI Hosts ICON11
Artwork by Sarah and Colin Walsh We’re showing off our beautiful campus and welcoming 300 visitors from throughout the globe next Wednesday and Thursday, June 29 and 30 for ICON11: The Illustration Conference. KCAI is a Platinum sponsor of the event. ICON workshops will be held in the Tony Jones Studios, Epperson Auditorium, William T. Kemper Painting Studios, and Printmaking in the East Building. The Painting Studios are the setting for an Education Symposium happy hour from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday and for coffee on Wednesday and Thursday from 7-8 a.m. Additional seminars are at the Nelson-Atkins Auditorium and other locations around town. The ICON11 Exhibition will be on display at Studios Inc July 1-29. One-third of the workshop presenters are KCAI faculty members including Illustration Lecturer Elizabeth Baddeley, Professor of Printmaking Laura Berman, Illustration/Printmaking Lecturer Michelle Dreher, Professor of Illustration John Ferry, Chair of Graphic Design Tyler Galloway, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design Lisa Maione, Illustration Lecturer Dean Kube, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design Adam Lucas, Illustration Lecturer Frank Norton, and Associate Professor of Illustration David Terrill. Assistant Professor of Illustration Hector Casanova is presenting at the Educational Symposium and 20 KCAI students are volunteering at the conference. Bravo read more…