MEET OUR LEGACY ARTISTS

Jim Leedy is an international artist in terms of his interests and achievements. He is an artist who crosses boundaries between materials and genres, representation and abstraction, art and music, creativity, and scholarship. His diverse and unique talents have led him to a lifetime of accomplishment in clay, painting, public art, works-on-paper, prints, assemblages, installations, and performance.

Lester Goldman was a vital force in Kansas City’s art world, renowned for his ability to push the boundaries of artistic expression. His work, ranging from realist paintings to abstract installations and performances, reflected his ever-evolving artistic vision. As a professor at the Kansas City Art Institute, Goldman’s passion for teaching and nurturing creativity left an indelible mark on countless students, further solidifying his place as one of the region’s most influential artists.

Jason Pollen is an internationally acclaimed artist, designer and educator. He has been on the faculty at the Royal College of Art in London, Parsons and Pratt in New York City and Professor and Fiber Chair at the Kansas City Art Institute. He is Professor emeritus at KCAI,  President emeritus of the Surface Design Association and is an American Craft Council Fellow. His work is in numerous prominent private national and international collections.