Come to Wonderland
Words by: Maggie Laubscher | Music by: Abby Yemm
Image credit: Balloon Wonderland
“It is art that makes life, makes interest, makes importance.”
-Henry James
Molly Balloons and Jenny Martin -- two Nellies and extraordinary humans -- have been working on something major.
It started during the pandemic last year. The two artists and Nellies connected over the pains of the pandemic and the resulting flatlining of the art world in Kansas City. Molly is a beloved visual artist in KC, while Jenny is a dedicated author and yoga practitioner.
The two women talked and listened. Molly mentioned an idea she had been mulling. Jenny got inspired. They shared, they brainstormed, they got their creative on.
And so, Balloon Wonderland was built.
Image credit: Balloon Wonderland
Opening this weekend (!!), Balloon Wonderland is an ambitious interactive art maze for all ages. You can also take one-of-a-kind yoga classes in a nearby space. To tour the art maze, you buy a ticket, head to the 2nd floor of a West Bottoms art studio and explore 12 or so individual art scenes.
One scene might be a Miami glam vibe, and then the next might be your inner child’s dream play space. Expect color, beauty, hidden details, secret notes and other surprises.
To complement the art tours, yoga classes will be held at nearby Blip Roasters, decorated by Molly as an extension of Balloon Wonderland. Classes will be held Mon-Fri at 12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., plus acro yoga and dance classes on Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7 p.m.
Inspired by Meow Wolf -- the iconic brand of immersive art installations -- Balloon Wonderland is an interactive fun house. With a dozen or so separate art scenes to explore, you are meant to wander and relish, with a limit of 10 people per time slot.
“We want people to really meditate in each room,” Jenny explained. The team encourages visitors to don costumes, bring a journal, take photos, sit down and meditate, and revel in the art.
Along with Molly and Jenny, the team behind the art installation are all young female artists. Their goal is to leave you feeling delighted, bewildered and inspired to do something creative.
Another big goal is to resuscitate the KC art world following the pandemic. “We are showing that the more you make something aesthetically appealing and beautiful, the more flair in your life,” noted Jenny.
It takes funding and time and guts to create art. “I’ve learned the gravity of what it costs to throw something like this,” Jenny explained. She has been working on Balloon Wonderland full-time of late, while much of the rest of the team is juggling multiple projects at once. Through the project’s evolution, Jenny and Molly have balanced each other well.
“As a creative, I would call myself an artist but I’m not the visionary that Molly is,” said Jenny. “We balance each other so well.”
With all the planning and creating coming together, Balloon Wonderland opens this weekend as a limited run pop-up from May 28 - June 14.
The Details
Who: Molly Balloons, Jenny Martin and a team of other young female artists
What: Balloon Wonderland, a whimsical art installation complemented with yoga events
When: May 28 - June 14; each tour runs 45 minutes
Where: 1324 W 12h St, KCMO - a West Bottoms art gallery and studio
Why: To bring back the pulse of art in Kansas City, post-pandemic. To inspire, to create, to make a statement.
How: Book a ticket in advance to ensure space and safety; prices vary - head to mollyballoons.com for details
An Abby Yemm playlist for you…
A playlist created by Abby Yemm
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