FORMER PVAC MEMBER ADA KOCH WORK IS HIGHLIGHTED IN STREETCAR ART DISPLAY

by J. Sherrod Taylor

Painter Ada Koch, a former member of the Prairie Village Arts Council (PVAC), is currently displaying her work in two dramatic settings. These two shows offer thought provoking work presented in a manner to beautify our community.
 
Ada(www.adakoch.com) is well-known in our Kansas City arts community as an artist, organizer, and teacher.  She has served on several metro boards promoting local arts activities — including a four-year stint on our own PVAC.  She has displayed her work in many arts shows including the renown Florence Bienniale art show in Florence, Italy; and her works hang in private collections in France, Germany, and Switzerland. Locally, her paintings may be found at the National World War I Museum, the Nelson-Atkins Museum, the Stowers Institute, and the Overland Park City Hall.
 
Completed under the auspices of the Art in the Loop Foundation (www.artintheloop.com), “Hope & Gratitude” finds Koch decorating a Ride KC Streetcar with a painted wrap of red poppies to remember, celebrate, and honor our nation’s veterans. This prominent display of her work is made in combination with renown local poet Glenn North's moving poetry.  Glenn North is the Director of the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center, and is the first poet laureate of the 18th and Vine Historic District.  These two artists combine to inspire hope and peace for the future of our country. 
 
In addition to their feature work for downtown, Koch and North also teamed up for an art show entitled “Hope Forward” currently featured at the Bunker Center for the Arts (https://www.bunkercenter.com/).  In this show Koch displays “disruptive art” featuring poignant paintings promoting anti-gun violence themes.  The show is presented in support of Mothers in Charge, founded by Rosilyn Temple, whose son died as a result of gun violence.  This group of concerned citizens supports and comforts other similarly situated persons in our community.  Fifty percent of the proceeds from Koch’s art sales this month will go to Mothers in Charge.
 
This collaboration by Ada Koch and Glenn North is a beautiful example of how artists may join together to provide creative, encompassing space of peace and harmony even in the downtown business district for street car riders and passers-by.   We hope you enjoy the display, I know we PVAC member are proud of our alumnus.

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