Karie Parsons' Project

Twenty years ago, First Friday events in Kansas City existed as business networking affairs attended by urban professionals interested in meeting other urban professionals. Over time, they've become as much about cultural activities as they were about socializing. These days, lots of U.S. cities put on Second Friday events. Seattle has the "Second Friday Story Swap." Portland, Oregon, has "Dirty Queer," an X-rated open-mic evening. Atlanta stages the incredibly dull-sounding "Second Fridays Business Networking Mixer." Hell, even Lititz, Pennsylvania (population 9,000), has its own Second Friday lineup. Not to be outdone, Kansas City, Kansas, has the "Follow the Dotte Art Walk" (see downtownkck.org), a monthly offering of art displayed in nine downtown galleries and studios, including the YWCA's 6th St. Gallery (1017 North Sixth Street).This month, the 6th St. Gallery has painter Karie Parsons' first solo show, The Emergence Project. Parsons, who is from Shawnee, paints like a demon, averaging one to four pieces a week. But her ideas are inspired by the divine. "Most paintings are given to me in dreams," Parsons' artist statement explains. The reception is from 6 to 8 p.m.  The exhibit runs through June 6. Call the YWCA at 913-371-1105 for more information. YWCA
Thu., May 8, 6-8 p.m., 2008