Johnson County Library is proud to share the work of Kansas City metro area visual artists in our library art galleries. We have ten library branches with dedicated art gallery spaces to inspire people of all ages and beautify our libraries. We seek a diverse selection of artwork that inspires, educates and promotes community connection.
Painter Hamama Bushra has studied the arts in Pakistan and the United States. Influenced by both her graphic design background and her South Asian roots, Hamama paints colorful and multi patterned portraits of women displaying confidence and femininity. Hamama’s artwork will...
Experimental artist Kitty Barret-Kraai creates colorful mixed media pieces inspired by the human body. Often using recycled and reused materials, she thrives on the challenge and unpredictability of these materials. Kitty’s artwork will be on display at the Antioch branch...
Tomas Allison uses his illustration background to explore artistic creativity through collage. Borrowing from nature, science and technology, Tomas joins images of familiar items in a way that builds new and unfamiliar environments. Tomas’ artwork will be on display at the...
Painter Barbara McLaughlin is a passionate caregiver and artist. Starting out as a portrait artist, she has incorporated her study with reiki, healing and meditation into her pieces, creating work that expresses her practice of healing through creative expression and...
Fluid artist Casey Kempter creates abstract art inspired by space, oceans and sea life. Using varying viscosities of acrylic paint, powder pigments and ink, Kempter manipulates the mediums with palette knives, spades and a heat gun, resulting in pieces expressive of movement...
A native of Sudan, Hassaballa Omar Hassablla now lives and creates art in Olathe, Kansas. Hassaballa’s background is in anthropology, but he was inspired to paint by the views of Mount Rainier and the Sudanese landscapes and traditions. His stylized and vibrant pieces are a...
Hugo Ximello-Salido is a multidisciplinary, Mexican American artist whose work explores themes of cultural and personal identity, communication, connection and intersection. Inspired by culture, history and contemporary issues, the artist creates thoughtful pieces full of...
Kelly Yarbrough is based in Manhattan, Kansas and works within an ecosystem of mixed media drawing and painting, arts administration and educational program development directly inspired by the nature of the tallgrass prairie. She enjoys collaborating with ecologists and...
Originally from Mexico City, KCMO artist Margarita Friedman is a painter, educator and co-founder of Art Garden KC. Her paintings are inspired by her experiences and communicate a social message. Margarita’s artwork will be on display at the Antioch branch until April 30...
Former Hallmark executive and trained printmaker Patti Streeper has turned her creative energy toward painting. With a focus on portraits, Patti uses art to tell the stories of women who have made significant contributions to society. Streeper’s artwork is on display at the...
