Scattered throughout Kansas City are dozens of murals painted by talented local artists, with many of them concentrated in the Crossroads District. Free maps created by SpraySeeMo guide tourists and locals alike through an outdoor public art gallery in the heart of town with local artisans, restaurants and events along the way.
The tour is self guided and can start at any location, making it an easy activity for any nice day, for any amount of time. While the tour can start from anywhere, it’s useful to choose a landmark location for parking.
One of the most decorated landmarks of the Crossroads District is the Truman event venue, which hosts concerts for popular and local artists with ticket prices starting at just $25 for general admission. The sides of the building are marked by the cool colors of artists Zach Laman and Phybr featuring many Kansas native birds.
Down alleys and through parking lots, tourists are led past pieces of artwork that draw attention to what would otherwise be nondescript buildings. Though unassuming on the outside, many of these vibrantly decorated buildings contain important features of the community.
One such building, adorned with “afro cosmic” art by Aaron Sutton, is the nonprofit ArtsTech Collaborative at 1522 Holmes St. Inside this building, teens are given the opportunity to discover interests in art, health, education and technology.
The collaborative is just one example of how locals of Kansas City contribute to their community. On top of nonprofit organizations and event venues like Grinders or the Truman, murals adorn galleries and studios for further artistic expression.
A sprawling cartoon mural by Rif Raf Giraffe covers the wall of the Dance Fit Flow dance studio, just up the street from restaurants with fried chicken, tacos or noodles as well as coffee shops.
In using maps of mural art to explore, one can discover the Crossroads in an authentic way while touring expressions of public art. The murals that brighten the walls of the Crossroads are not only a beautiful expression of Kansas City creativity, but are also a wonderful way to explore a vibrant community.
