Let’s Meander: Animism’s Poesy Walk with Elaine Buss & José Faus

“Let’s meander from place to place – no purpose – an embrace of animism’s poesy”

In conjunction with its new fall exhibition Material World, the Artspace is pleased to host Let’s Meander: Animism’s Poesy Walk with Elaine Buss & José Faus.

For this Midtown Kansas City neighborhood walk, participants will embark on their journey from the Artspace and thread their way through Gilham Park to the Hyde Park Pilgrim Labyrinth and Butterfly Garden. En route, walking guide, poet, and artist José Faus will pause with the group to write poetry on a shared scroll in the Renga (“linked poem”) style. Fellow walking guide, Material World guest co-curator, and participating artist Elaine Buss will also lead a gathering of nature’s gifts as they call to the participants, and collected objects may be shared, kept, or contributed to Elaine’s installation, Lebenswelt (“life-word”) upon the group’s return to the Artspace.

This program is open to all experience levels. Bring a backpack, sketchbook, and favorite drawing materials if you have them. Wear sturdy walking shoes, long pants, long socks, hat, sunscreen, and bug spray. Please bring a full reusable water bottle. We will meet at the Artspace for a brief view of Material World before departing on the walk. This program is free and open to up to 20 participations with an rsvp.

RSVP: Space is limited, and on a first come, first serve basis, so reserve your spot through Eventbrite. Email [email protected], or call 816-802-3571 for directions and questions.

Programs may be subject to change. For the latest information, including other rsvp sign-up opportunities and workshop details and locations, contact the venue directly. Follow us on Instagram @artspace_kcai and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/artspacekcai, or visit www.kcai.edu/artspace, to receive the most up-to-date information about these programs.

LOCATION: Meet at the Artspace located at 43 East 43rd St., Kansas City, MO 64111.

WALK DIFFICULTY: 2.9 miles, easy to moderate elevation changes, with mostly paved paths.

About the Artists:

Elaine Buss grew up in the wide-open prairie fields of Lively Grove, Illinois. Her work explores ambiguity and the nondescript, specifically in relation to the sensory, ineffable, and intangible experience of inhabiting a human body. She earned an MFA from Ohio State University and a BFA from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Her work has garnered multiple awards including an Inspiration Grant (ArtsKC), Ceramics Monthly Emerging Artist Award, The International Award for Visual and Performing Arts (Ohio State), and an ArtistInc Fellowship (Mid-America Arts Alliance). Elaine’s work is held in collections such as Honos Art (Italy), Belger Collection (Missouri), Baggs Library (Ohio), Potamkin Collection (Florida) and C.R.E.T.A.Rome (Italy). Elaine is an Assistant Professor at Kansas City Art Institute in the Foundation Department and a 2022-2024 Charlotte Street Foundation Arts Resident.

José Faus is from Bogota, Colombia and a long-time Kansas City resident. He is a visual artist, performer, writer, and educator. Faus received degress in Studio Art/Painting and Creative Writing/Journalism from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. He has been involved in many mural works in the Kansas City area, Mexico, and Bolivia, where he received a cultural ambassador grant from the U.S. State Department. Additional awards include the Poets & Writers Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award for the State of Kansas, and a Rocket Grant for the community project VOX NARRO. Faus is a founding member of the Latino Writers Collective and has served on the boards of the Charlotte Street Foundation, UMKC Friends of the Library, Nuevo Eden, and The Writers Place. His chapbook “This Town Like That” was released by Spartan Press. His book “The Life and Times of Jose Calderon” was published by West 39 Press.

Let’s Meander: Animism’s Poesy Walk with Elaine Buss & José Faus is organized by the Artspace as part of Material World, on view September 20 - November 9, 2024.

Images (from above): Let’s Meander: Animism’s Poesy Walk with Elaine Buss & José Faus; Elaine Buss and José Faus, courtesy of the artists.

Host or Publisher H&R Block Artspace, Kansas City Art Institute