If you’ve ever been downtown to the Crossroads, you know it’s called an Arts District for a reason.
Maybe you’ve seen the galleries open on First Fridays . Maybe you’ve noticed the big murals dedicated to the Chiefs or Sporting KC . But off the beaten path, there are other pieces (big and small) worth noticing.
Here are five pieces of artwork worth seeking out:
Young Hemingway
No, the characters in Dragon Ball Z didn’t grow mustaches. | Photo by KCtoday
Hemingway Building, 103 W. 19 St., KCMO | 🎨 by @lookatart
Artist Jake Merten creates art in the style of anime (a style of Japanese animation), including this portrait of Ernest Hemingway (note the mustache). This building was named after the famous writer, who worked for the Kansas City Star out of this office space.
BA BA MA
What do you see inside her head? | Photo by KCtoday
South side of Hemingway Building in the alley | 🎨 by @visualgoodies_aws
The piece represents a mother, and everything inside her head is what a mother carries with her. The artist is influenced by Egyptian symbolism + has an Afro-futuristic style. See the original concept .
Art Alley No. 2
Urban Hikes Kansas City owner Lisa Peña in action. | Photo by KCtoday
Between Wyandotte Street + Baltimore Avenue, from the Hemingway Building to 17th Street | 🎨 by various artists
Maybe you’ve heard of Art Alley in the Crossroads, but have you heard of the other one? We’re not sure if there’s a specific name for it, but head north from the west side of the Hemingway Building, and you’ll find yourself immersed (literally from the ground up) in colors and shapes of all kinds.
Unnamed Portrait
The artist didn’t give a name for this person. Who does it make you think of? | Photo by KCtoday
Art Alley No. 2 | 🎨 by @hevanpaints
Although this artist is no longer with us, you may know him for his incredible portraiture, including another piece — a depiction of Marilyn Monroe .
Skin Deep
We are mesmerized by the colors in this one. | Photo by KCtoday
Back of Outreach Event Space, 112 W 18th St., KCMO | 🎨 by @zulupainter1
Part of the annual mural event SpraySeeMO , this piece by Zulu Painter is meant to say that beauty is on the inside, and everyone has something different to show the world. Here’s a before and after .
See more murals with SpraySeeMo’s interactive map .
Special thanks to Kansas City Urban Hikes for the tour. Here’s where to book one
.