From Street to Studio: An Urban Visual Arts Experience

Join local tour guide, Laura, owner of Cowtown Tours Kansas City, on this fun walking tour. Kansas City's downtown is full of colorful, whimsical and thought-provoking art, made by local, national and international muralists. On this tour, we'll explore the Crossroads Arts District, walk through awe-inspiring alleyways, ride the KC Streetcar, and view as many murals as possible. One of the things Laura loves best about this tour is showcasing a side of KC that isn't always seen. Walking through Artist Alley is eye-popping, rich with vibrant color and imagery. If we're lucky, an artist will be working on a project during the tour. Wear comfy shoes; we'll walk up to 2-miles on mostly flat terrain. The pathway in the Artist Alley is very uneven.

This tour starts at a funky little coffee shop in the Crossroads, one block away from the street car stop, and with ample free street parking available nearby. I encourage you to come early to support our local businesses. From there, we'll explore the public art (graffiti, murals and ghost signage) in the area before boarding the KC Streetcar for more discovery. At each stop, we'll talk about the art we see and learn some of the lingo, like: throwing a piece, splash, fading and lacing, and bubble letters. In some cases, we'll discuss the muralist who painted the piece and the back-story to some of the art. In many cases, I'll leave the meaning and expression up to you, the viewer: what do you see in the art? How does it speak to you? What do you think the artist was trying to share? The artwork is constantly changing, so you never know what you'll see on this tour! This is a one-way tour ending in the River Market. You'll find your way back to the beginning by jumping back on the streetcar.