Marble & Canvas
Grand Opening Event
A Night in the French Quarter
Saturday April 4th, 2026
6:00–9:00 PM
Step into an unforgettable evening in the French Quarter right here in Vanderslice hall as we celebrate the grand opening of Marble & Canvas.
Join us for the grand opening of Marble & Canvas, the Kansas City Art Institute’s new creative retail experience. Vanderslice Hall will transform into a New Orleans style soirée filled with art, music, and immersive atmosphere. Be first in line to explore an exclusive, debut collection of work and goods by KCAI alumni, and take home a piece of inspiration of your own.
About Marble & Canvas
Marble & Canvas is a thoughtfully curated retail destination located on the campus of the Kansas City Art Institute. Celebrating the legacy and creative spirit of KCAI’s students, alumni, and faculty, the store will put forward a handpicked, ever-changing mix of original art, distinctive merchandise, and creative goods by KCAI artists.
More than a campus store, Marble & Canvas is where creativity meets commerce. It’s a space where artists and designers connect with new audiences, and where Kansas City locals and visitors alike can take home a piece of inspiration. Every purchase directly supports KCAI artists and students, ensuring the next generation of makers, dreamers, and doers continues to thrive.
Follow Marble & Canvas on Instagram for more updates.
What to Wear
Channel the soulful, eclectic energy of a New Orleans soirée. Think moody elegance, vintage jazz-era glamour and contemporary edge. We invite you to lean into velvet textures, dark florals, brass accents, and a touch of mysterious, "Big Easy" soul.
Take a look at our Pinterest board for more inspiration.
On the Menu
French Quarter inspired craft cocktails by SideCar KC
- Sazerac
- Pimms Cup
- Special mocktail
- Full bar
“It is my hope that this school may aid succeeding generations of our young people to realize the ideals of their souls and return to this city, in the forms of great marble and great canvases, the inspiration it has given them.”
At a dinner in May 1928 Howard Vanderslice explained to KCAI students why he had purchased and donated the mansion that would become Vanderslice Hall, the heart of the Kansas City Art Institute's campus.