Posted on Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Kansas City Kansas Community College is proud to be hosting a heart in the 2024 Parade of Hearts. “Wings KC,” designed by Leslie L. Mason and sponsored by Panasonic Energy, can be found just outside the Humanities Building. The sculpture can be viewed at the KCKCC’s main campus, located at 7250 State Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas, 66112, through August.
“It is important to have art in spaces our student, employees and community gather,” said President Dr. Greg Mosier. “We are honored to showcase ‘Wings KC’ as part of the Parade of Hearts. Partnerships like this enhance our commitment to public art through other sculptures, murals, an art collection from internationally-known artist Rita Blitt, and art gallery that exhibits a variety of shows throughout the year.”
The “Wings KC” heart is on display near “We Are Better Together” heart, which was designed by Dennis Stanton and purchased from the 2022 Parade of Hearts. According to the “Wings KC” description, “with its many similarities to the butterfly, Kansas City is a community filled with beauty and grace. A place of transformation and transitions, a migration of hopes and dreams, along with unforgotten memories of loved ones lost. This design includes the wings of the butterfly, which best represent the free spirit and vibrant diversity of the Kansas City community.” A self-taught artist, Mason’s art tells a story about the world around her, using her love of vibrant colors, patterns and nature. Over the last decade, she has created Lane Tree & Lily, LLC and has won awards at the Lenexa Art Fair for “Best of Show” as well as been the feature artist at the Muchnic Art Gallery and Cultural Corner Art Guild & Gallery.
“Wings KC” is one of four hearts in Kansas City, Kansas. The other three are near the Legends shopping area. In total, 100 hearts can be found throughout the Kansas City region, on both the Kansas and Missouri side of the metro. The Parade of Hearts is a public art experience that celebrates diversity, unites communities and supports a variety of non-profit groups by placing hearts, designed by local artists, in the metropolitan area. Local artists spent months designing and creating the 5-foot by 5-foot hearts, each with a unique design, and all funds raised are donated to support local organizations.
Category: General
Keywords: parade of hearts