Johnson County Library is proud to share the work of Kansas City metro area visual artists in our library art galleries. We have some locations 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. If you're a local artist interested in submitting your artwork for consideration, learn more here.
Our Fall Exhibitions will be removed December 21, so take this opportunity to enjoy art at your favorite library location.
Read on to see what each branch has on display, and check out our full interviews with each artist »
Antioch Library - Drawing
Anita Easterwood is a portrait artist and illustrator from Kansas City, KS with over 13 years of experience. She received her Bachelors in Art from Kansas State University, and Masters in African American Studies from The University of Kansas. Specializing in traditional drawing, digital art and oil painting, her work celebrates Blackness through Black culture, fashion, history, and sisterhood. Her artwork will be on display at the Antioch Library branch until December 21, 2022.
Cedar Roe Library - Photography
Becky Brinkley is a native Kansan and Kansas City Art Institute alumna living and working in the KC area. Becky has worked with ceramics, fiber arts and photography. Her most recent work has been experimenting with alternative photographic processes, using plants and direct contact processes exposed by sunlight.
Lenexa City Center Library - Painting
Black Space Black Art is an artists collective started by Natasha Ria El-Scari, owner of the Natasha Ria Art Gallery. The collective matches African American artists to local businesses, in order to broaden the exposure of the artists and the artwork and introduce it within the community.
Corinth Library - Painting
Educator and painter Eiman Yousif draws artistic inspiration from her cultural experiences in Africa and UAE. Her work is colorful and abstract with a focus on feminism.
Shawnee Library - Painting
Jean Hershey developed as a painter through her years working as a commercial artist. She allows emotions and the subconscious mind to guide her in the creation of abstract pieces with bold color and movement.
Central Resource Library - Painting
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.
Oak Park Library - Painting
Originally from the Philippines, Kansas City based artist Raffaela Malazarte has been experimenting with oil painting since 2000. Her style is greatly influenced by fauvism and impressionism.Raffaela’s choice of colors and brush strokes are very bold, thick and vibrant.
Blue Valley Library - Mixed Media
Artist Susan Ferguson creates pieces made to give viewers an opportunity for reflection on their connections and experiences related to the environment and environmental sustainability. Experimenting with materials, techniques and mediums, Susan produces artwork that is colorful, textured and layered.
Leawood Pioneer Library - Textile
Artist Weifang Gong’s work is inspired by the environmental impact and pollution she witnessed in her years as a textile designer. Her painterly textiles reflect her practice of no waste/reusing and the influence of traditional Chinese paintings.