By: Maggie Laubscher

KC Art on the Block: September 5, 11am - 4pm, at various locations around Kansas City

Justice for Black people is a continuous fight. It’s a fight that’s been reignited by the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police, along with so many others. All around us, a national conversation on race is happening. To fuel momentum on this topic, local groups have joined together to create KC Art on the Block: A Black Lives Matter Project, a series of art murals with one theme: Black Lives Matter.

KC Art on the Block was dreamed up by two friends: Crissy Dastrup, a legislative aide for the City of KCMO and co-founder of Troost Market Collective, and Damian Lair. Dastrup and Lair quickly galvanized support from local groups, including Troost Market Collective; Urban League of Greater Kansas City; NAACP Kansas City, MO Chapter; and The City of Kansas City, Missouri. From there, the project commissioned six local Black artists to create unique murals around the city on Saturday, September 5, 11am - 4pm. For locations, see bottom of this article.

That means that this Saturday, all around the city at the same time, artists and their volunteers will be creating Black Lives Matter murals - murals you can stop by to see and cheer on. The artists selected are highlighted below. They include Adrianne Clayton, Michael Toombs, Avrion Jackson, Harold Smith, Vivian Wilson Bluett, and Warren ‘Stylez’ Harvey. It will be a powerful visual statement by the city and those who live here. And it’s one backed by the city of Kansas City, Missouri, which has openly declared their support for Black Lives Matter.

As one of the chosen artists, Vivian Wilson Bluett noted the mural is important to her for many reasons, including the message it conveys. “I have three Black sons who need to absolutely know that their city believes in the message that Black Lives Matter,” she said. “I know that there are many, many other mothers and fathers out here who know that their kids need that message as well.”

The project has been put together quickly and effectively. After finding a city permit did not exist for this type of project, Dastrup and Lair realized a resolution would be their best bet. They fast-tracked it and received overwhelming support, with 12 of 13 voting members of city council voting in favor. After the resolution passed, some citizens expressed agitation about supporting Black Lives Matter as a value statement. Dastrup was quick to clarify that the support far outweighed this concern. And for those who still question it, she added, “This could be something that helps propel people into a place of more understanding.”

Street art as a form of social activism is woven throughout history. Dastrup noted that while painting on the street does not solve all of our problems, “it signals that this is something that’s important to our city.” She continued, “I know the protestors get tired… This is something that never gets tired, it’s always there.”

As Gwen Grant, the executive director of Urban League of Greater Kansas City, said, “We hope that every Black child, every Black American, walking by or driving on these streets will know that their lives matter.”

For the KC Art on the Block outdoor event, safety has been front of mind. The organizers have worked with the health department and catered the event accordingly. Masks will be required and available, along with hand sanitizer, extra cleaning protocols, sign-in sheets at check-in tables, and volunteer contact tracing. In addition, expect voter registration booths managed by NAACP, census representatives, mail-in voting information, and Health Forward Foundation representatives.

To find out more, head to the KC Art on the Block Facebook event page. And to donate, go here. And below, enjoy an introduction to the artists.