Nineteen art students recently went to work transforming the dull levee walls lining the Riverfront Heritage Trail with vibrant murals.
Commissioned by Port KC, the Kansas City Art Institute students completed four murals this spring as part of the first phase of the project to bring a little life to the riverfront trail.
Port KC asked the students to reflect on “what the Missouri River means to Kansas City” and propose a mural design incorporating those sentiments. The students were then asked to research KC’s culture, history, nature and the Missouri River’s surrounding ecology, integrate those ideas into mural designs and then present them.
“I think it’s an important experience to give students the ability to work in this kind of manner in the public space, as well as working on their professional development and collaboration,” says Andrew Mcilvaine, an assistant professor at KCAI.
This first phase is part of a broader multiphase plan called the MO River Murals that aims to cover as much of the blank levee walls along the trail as possible with art. The Riverfront Heritage Trail is a 15-mile bicycle and pedestrian pathway that winds along the riverfront. It links various attractions together and is dotted with public art and historical markers.
The trail is experiencing increased foot traffic with the addition of several new multifamily complexes in the riverfront area and will increase more with the planned commercial and residential developments on the way.
“Art is part of human nature,” says Jon Stephens, CEO and president of Port KC. “Art provides a visual voice, is a historical marker, supports mental health, feeds the soul and can spark debate. It was a perfect solution to our constant caretaking of the Riverfront Heritage Trail and the Town of Kansas Bridge, but most importantly, we are supporting local artists and KC’s growing art culture.”
Port KC plans to launch phase two of the project in late September by hosting a mural and music festival on the Heritage Riverfront Trail for the community. Festivalgoers will be able to enjoy live bands and food and watch artists paint murals in real time.
