Artist Statements and Bios

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Debbie Barrett-Jones

 

I am a weaver, which means I get to see and be a part of transforming a white cone of yarn into a colorful, delicate piece of fabric. Harmony is the critical element of my artwork and can be defined as the pleasing arrangement of parts that bring an inner sense of order. One thread at a time, at my loom, these pleasing arrangements of parts are brought out in a gradation of color, pattern, spacing, scale, and composition.  The process of weaving completely fascinates me from the beginning to completion, and being able to control the whole process is extremely important in my work. I create one-of-a-kind handwoven custom art for homes, businesses, hospitals, galleries, and places of worship. Along with my large work, I love weaving scarves, which have always been my little art pieces. No matter the size, my goal is to create work that inspires hope, harmony, and healing.

 

BIO

Textiles artist Debbie Barrett-Jones left her small town in Iowa so she could pursue an education at the Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) and, since graduation, has exhibited her work throughout the United States, including the Kansas City area locations, such as Children’s Mercy Hospital in North Kansas City, Truman Medical Center, Community Christian Church, Lead Bank in the Crossroads of Kansas City and The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. And in late 2016, she collaborated with the Kansas City Ballet for an art installation and performance called Unspoken. In May of 2023, Barrett-Jones graduated with her Master of Fine Art at the University of Kansas, focusing on textiles.

 

In 2016, she began to envision the "Healing with Weaving" initiative to highlight the importance of how art, specifically weaving, can be a therapeutic tool for healing. The first Healing with Weaving Community Outreach Program’s pilot project at Children’s Mercy Hospital Adele Hall Campus in Kansas City, MO. The project provides 200 Healing with Weaving Frame Loom Kits with instructions to be used by patients, family members and staff to explore the meditative and therapeutic benefits of weaving during the summer and fall of 2021. Currently, Barrett-Jones was one of nineteen Kansas City artists to be commissioned to make permanent public artwork for the new KCI Airport.

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Kristin Goering

 

I grew up in the country surrounded by miles of farmland and big skies, only interrupted by hedgerows and tall cottonwoods.  Much of my work is deeply rooted in these rural landscapes.   I believe the farms and ranch lands of the Midwest are an essential part of the American experience and I seek to capture their uncomplicated beauty in my paintings. My aim is not to replicate a specific location but to reflect my love of the sky and open spaces, the beauty and power of nature. Through my paintings, I hope to inspire others to see the world with fresh eyes, to appreciate the natural world around us.

 

Kristin Goering was born in central Kansas.  She currently lives and works in the Kansas City area.  Her intensified colors, stylized brush strokes and strong compositions convey a sense of drama and energy.  Her work can be found in public and private collections throughout the US and beyond. 

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Jenny Meyer-McCall’s work is intentionally nurturing and whimsical. Collaging two- and three-dimensional findings onto various surfaces, she creates texture, movement, and humor. Layers of vibrant acrylic paint and thick plaster make the work expressive. Hidden messages from her childhood sagas tell a private story within the abstract composition, while timeless themes and storybook morals make the finished piece universally compelling.  Jenny's most current work focuses on patterns reminiscent of vintage floral wallpaper; exploring her role as a modern domestic through the layers of unique experiences that have shaped her.

 

Jenny’s formal education is from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Fine Art, emphasis in painting.  After college she returned to her hometown of Kansas City.  Working as a faux painter, which taught large scale triumphs and unconventional materials. Later, she worked as the gallery manager at Sav-Art Gallery. Learning the inner workings of a small business. Now, she is creating full-time as a fine artist, and mother of 3. Through these experiences she has had the opportunity to be flexible, explore current color trends as well as visual and textural patterns, learn and experiment with new mediums, and be true to her craft.