Powell Gardens Unveils Spectacular Painted Garden Exhibit in Collaboration with Kate Clements, Other Local Artists, and Summit Art

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2024

KINGSVILLE, MISSOURI- Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s botanical garden, is thrilled to welcome the return of its immersive spring event, Painted Garden (April 27-June 16). Celebrate the joy and color spreading across the Gardens with inventive botanical displays, spring blooms, and works of art. Rooted in Kansas City’s art community with new work by Kate Clements and returning favorites by local artists, Powell Gardens invites you to imagine the garden as a gallery this spring.

Nestled within the serene landscapes of Powell Gardens, Painted Garden transforms the Gardens into an outdoor gallery. Stroll through seasonal plantings, embark on an outdoor sculpture walk, shop for local artwork from Summit Art, and enjoy an installation by Kate Clements in the Conservatory.

Featured artist, Kate Clements, will display her new work SUPER NATURAL in the glass-domed Conservatory during Painted Garden. Constructed of kiln-fired glass, metal framework, and wire, step into another world where light and color abound.

“Powell Gardens is a wonderful example of Midwest creativity and beauty. For the third year, we are excited to welcome spring with Painted Garden,” said CEO Cody Jolliff. “Painted Garden showcases local and regional artists. We aim to create a space where art and nature intertwine, fostering a sense of wonder and delight for our visitors.”

Along The Dennis & Annette Young Magnolia Walk and The Dogwood Walk, look for new sculptures installed alongside Powell Gardens’ permanent sculpture collection. In addition to living displays and sculpture work, Painted Garden will feature interactive elements and educational opportunities for visitors of all ages. From tours to art classes to networking events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Painted Garden will be open to the public starting April 27 and will run through June 16. Visitors are encouraged to plan their visit in advance. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit powellgardens.org/painted-garden.

Special Education & Events

Meet & Greet Brunch with Artist Kate Clements: April 27 | 10 a.m. – noon
Enjoy mimosas and local coffee plus sweet and savory brunch bites in the Visitor Center. Kate Clements will discuss her artwork, ‘SUPER NATURAL,’ on display during Painted Garden.

Crescendo Conservatory at Powell Gardens: May 4 | 11 a.m.
Crescendo Conservatory’s Art and Nature show brings together a collection of ballet, jazz and contemporary dances inspired by nature. These dances celebrate the movement, colors and rhythms that we find in the world around us.

Mother’s Day Picnic Lunch at Powell Gardens: May 11 | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Treat Mom to a picnic at Powell Gardens to celebrate Mother’s Day early! Our charcuterie picnic boxes are built for two to share and include a variety of meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, and sweets.

Mother’s Day Brunch at Powell Gardens: May 12 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Pamper Mom with a delectable brunch assortment on the terrace this Mother’s Day. All Moms will get a complimentary Mimosa to pair with brunch.

Rosé & Croquet Corporate Networking: May 17 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Don your finest garden attire, enjoy brunch bites, sip from the pop-up bar, and network at the whimsical Rosé & Croquet Corporate Networking event!

Rosé & Croquet Garden Party: May 18 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Tap into your playful side with croquet matches and merriment at Powell Gardens. The Rosé & Croquet Garden Party is sure to be the hit of the spring season!

Paint Out with Summit Art: June 1 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Known as plein air art (open air art), watch as local artists from Summit Art use the technique to bring Powell Gardens’ landscapes to life in real time.

Performance Art in the Gardens: June 1 | Times vary
Experience the sights and sounds of spring at Powell Gardens with performances by KC Aerial Arts, percussionist Candice Hill, and artist Laura Kratz.

Media Contact
Laina Burdette, Marketing Specialist
lburdette@powellgardens.org
816.868.5208

About Powell Gardens
As Kansas City’s Botanical Garden, Powell Gardens plays a vital role in the community as a space for release, rejuvenation, and the celebration of the fleeting nature of nature itself. Visitors enjoy themed display gardens, a three-mile nature trail, seasonal festivals, rotating exhibitions, and exceptional architecture. Established in 1988, Powell Gardens is a non-profit, public garden, maintaining 970 acres of lush, rolling hills and windswept meadows, with more than 175 acres and a large collection of plants open to the public for education, exploration, and recreation. Many of the plants in the Gardens are regionally native, and all highlight the changing seasons and Midwest spirit of place.

About Kate Clements
Kate Clements constructs delicate and ornate large-scale paintings and installations comprised of kiln fused glass panels. Working with frit, a type of crushed glass, she sifts, scatters, and pushes the sugar-like substance on a kiln shelf to form dimensional drawings. The wafer-thin panels reference naturalistic designs and floral motifs that she uses to explore ideas of beauty, taste, and impermanence.

Clements received an MFA in Glass from the Tyler School of Art & Architecture in Philadelphia and a BFA in Painting and Art History from the Kansas City Art Institute. Her work has been exhibited at the Bellevue Arts Museum (WA), Houston Center of Contemporary Craft (TX), Hunterdon Art Museum (NJ), Philadelphia Art Alliance (PA), Urban Glass (NYC), and S12 Gallery (Norway). She has been awarded residencies at Studios Inc and the Charlotte Street Foundation in Kansas City, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City, Pilchuck Glass School, and S12 Gallery in Bergen, Norway. She lives and works in Kansas City.

About Summit Art
Summit Art began in 2003 as a small group of local artists looking for exhibition opportunities, camaraderie and professional development in visual art in the local community. The group became a non-profit organization on December 16, 2008. Today, Summit Art continues to lead local communities in visual arts engagement, networking and professional development, with an independent self-perpetuating board of directors and a voting membership of more than 140, including juried artists, students, art educators, general members and corporate/gallery members. Learn more at www.summitart.org.