Event Type : Exhibition

AKMA is proud to present a selection of works by contemporary artist, Ani Hoover. Works will be on view September 23, 2023-November 5, 2023. Opening reception will be held on Friday, September 22 from 4-7 pm. Opening receptions are free and open to the public. A cash bar and light refreshments will be available.

Ani Hoover is an American artist based in Buffalo, NY.  She grew up near the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art on Belnor Drive in St. Joseph, MO.  Hoover remembers seeing Fairfield Porter’s portrait and Thomas Hart Benton’s “Custer’s Last Stand” on exhibit and taking classes in the kitchen at the AKMA.  Like many artists growing up in the 1980s, she idolized the Impressionist painters Vincent Van Gogh, George Seurat, and Claude Monet. Unsurprisingly, color remains one of the most recognizable aspects of Hoover’s work.

After more than a decade of working as a painter, Hoover’s work now includes sculpture and fiber-based techniques. Ani will often begin a piece referencing classic vintage craft technique or pattern, and from there, she will amplify it through repetition, scale, or by creating it using alternative materials. Some examples are crochet granny squares, yo-yo quilt medallions, memory-encrusted jugs, and pony-bead buddies. Hoover picked up many of these techniques by reading her grandmother’s Workbasket magazines, attending craft fairs at the East Hills Mall, and visiting Joann Fabrics.

The work in “Now is Then” spans roughly 2010-2023, with the majority created since 2017. This nearly decade is significant because it corresponds with considerable life challenges for Hoover,  prompting her to examine her artistic development. In this work, Hoover re-sifts memories using materials specific to her creative upbringing. The resulting art objects are imbued with energy, serving as commemorations that are both contemporary and nostalgic, personal and familiar.

The color in Hoover’s work reflects consumerism and capitalist America. The color present is a combination of found materials, i.e., trash and commercial art material–like yarn, thread, and glitter. The result re-affirms the connection to contemporary American culture rather than hiding it.

Hoover attended Central High School (‘88), Southwest Missouri State, now Missouri State in Springfield, MO (‘92); in 1993, she moved to Washington, DC, to attend graduate school at American University.  She spent some time in Baltimore before moving to Buffalo, NY, in 2002, where she resides today with her partner Wayne Magyar and her cat, Yugo.

 Her work is in the collection of the Burchfield-Penney Art Center, the University of Buffalo’s Art Galleries, and the Buffalo AKG Museum (formerly the Albright Knox Art Gallery), as well as in several prominent public collections, including Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Oishei Children’s Hospital (Buffalo, NY).

Some works and ideas in “Then is Now” were first presented at Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center in the exhibit “Memory” (2014), “Craft Art Field Day” at Buffalo Arts Center in 2017, and “Forget Me Not” at the Burchfield Penney Art Center in Buffalo, NY in 2021.

AKMA is proud to present a selection of works by members of the Kansas City Society for Contemporary Photography. Works will be on view September 23, 2023-November 5, 2023. Opening reception will be held on Friday, September 22 from 4-7 pm. Opening receptions are free and open to the public. A cash bar and light refreshments will be available.

The Kansas City Society for Contemporary Photography is a community of regional photographers and collectors presenting and promoting the photographic arts. In 2014 five of the original members of a discontinued group called SCP (Society for Contemporary Photography), met to discuss the possibility of a new association, intended to better address the needs of today’s photographic community. They invited a core group of like-minded photographers to help define this new organization, and in June, 2015, they launched the Kansas City Society for Contemporary Photography, to educate, create, communicate and exhibit. Artists showing works in the exhibition include Angie Jennings, Brandon Jennings, Chuck Davis, David Pugh, Don James, Don Wolfe, Emily Evans Sloan, Gary Hodson, Gwen Walstrand, James Terry, Jason Dailey, Jeff Burk, John Hans, John Lofflin, Jon Onstot, Kevin Vivers, Kirk Decker, Laura Lloyd, Lea Murphy, Lisa Bang Hoffman, Lisa Healey, Megan Wyeth, Paul Middleton, Ron Anderson, Shirley Harryman, Steve Wilson, & Tim Pott. Current Works 2023 was juried by Elijah Gowin, a Professor in the Department of Media, Art and Design at the University of Missouri-Kansas City where he directs photographic studies

AKMA is proud to present a selection of works by contemporary artist, Ani Hoover. Works will be on view September 23, 2023-November 5, 2023. Opening reception will be held on Friday, September 22 from 4-7 pm. Opening receptions are free and open to the public. A cash bar and light refreshments will be available.

Ani Hoover is an American artist based in Buffalo, NY.  She grew up near the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art on Belnor Drive in St. Joseph, MO.  Hoover remembers seeing Fairfield Porter’s portrait and Thomas Hart Benton’s “Custer’s Last Stand” on exhibit and taking classes in the kitchen at the AKMA.  Like many artists growing up in the 1980s, she idolized the Impressionist painters Vincent Van Gogh, George Seurat, and Claude Monet. Unsurprisingly, color remains one of the most recognizable aspects of Hoover’s work.

After more than a decade of working as a painter, Hoover’s work now includes sculpture and fiber-based techniques. Ani will often begin a piece referencing classic vintage craft technique or pattern, and from there, she will amplify it through repetition, scale, or by creating it using alternative materials. Some examples are crochet granny squares, yo-yo quilt medallions, memory-encrusted jugs, and pony-bead buddies. Hoover picked up many of these techniques by reading her grandmother’s Workbasket magazines, attending craft fairs at the East Hills Mall, and visiting Joann Fabrics.

The work in “Now is Then” spans roughly 2010-2023, with the majority created since 2017. This nearly decade is significant because it corresponds with considerable life challenges for Hoover,  prompting her to examine her artistic development. In this work, Hoover re-sifts memories using materials specific to her creative upbringing. The resulting art objects are imbued with energy, serving as commemorations that are both contemporary and nostalgic, personal and familiar.

The color in Hoover’s work reflects consumerism and capitalist America. The color present is a combination of found materials, i.e., trash and commercial art material–like yarn, thread, and glitter. The result re-affirms the connection to contemporary American culture rather than hiding it.

Hoover attended Central High School (‘88), Southwest Missouri State, now Missouri State in Springfield, MO (‘92); in 1993, she moved to Washington, DC, to attend graduate school at American University.  She spent some time in Baltimore before moving to Buffalo, NY, in 2002, where she resides today with her partner Wayne Magyar and her cat, Yugo.

 Her work is in the collection of the Burchfield-Penney Art Center, the University of Buffalo’s Art Galleries, and the Buffalo AKG Museum (formerly the Albright Knox Art Gallery), as well as in several prominent public collections, including Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Oishei Children’s Hospital (Buffalo, NY).

Some works and ideas in “Then is Now” were first presented at Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center in the exhibit “Memory” (2014), “Craft Art Field Day” at Buffalo Arts Center in 2017, and “Forget Me Not” at the Burchfield Penney Art Center in Buffalo, NY in 2021.

AKMA is proud to present a selection of works by members of the Kansas City Society for Contemporary Photography. Works will be on view September 23, 2023-November 5, 2023. Opening reception will be held on Friday, September 22 from 4-7 pm. Opening receptions are free and open to the public. A cash bar and light refreshments will be available.

The Kansas City Society for Contemporary Photography is a community of regional photographers and collectors presenting and promoting the photographic arts. In 2014 five of the original members of a discontinued group called SCP (Society for Contemporary Photography), met to discuss the possibility of a new association, intended to better address the needs of today’s photographic community. They invited a core group of like-minded photographers to help define this new organization, and in June, 2015, they launched the Kansas City Society for Contemporary Photography, to educate, create, communicate and exhibit. Artists showing works in the exhibition include Angie Jennings, Brandon Jennings, Chuck Davis, David Pugh, Don James, Don Wolfe, Emily Evans Sloan, Gary Hodson, Gwen Walstrand, James Terry, Jason Dailey, Jeff Burk, John Hans, John Lofflin, Jon Onstot, Kevin Vivers, Kirk Decker, Laura Lloyd, Lea Murphy, Lisa Bang Hoffman, Lisa Healey, Megan Wyeth, Paul Middleton, Ron Anderson, Shirley Harryman, Steve Wilson, & Tim Pott. Current Works 2023 was juried by Elijah Gowin, a Professor in the Department of Media, Art and Design at the University of Missouri-Kansas City where he directs photographic studies

AKMA is proud to present a selection of works by portrait artist, Patricia Streeper. Works will be on view from November 18, 2023 – January 7, 2024. Opening reception will be held on Friday, November 17 from 4-7 pm. Opening receptions are free and open to the public. A cash bar and light refreshments will be available.

Artist’s Statement: “Exceptional human traits know no gender or race.  Courage, determination, passion, perseverance…these are the characteristics of human potential and are possible in all people regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, background or belief.  This series of “visual biographies” is a collection of oil portraits of women from history or presently making history that deserve to be acknowledged and honored for their accomplishments, dedication, and willingness to take a stand for the sake of opportunity for themselves and others.  With this work, my goal is to spark curiosity and encourage the viewer to learn more about what comprises women’s bold work…and to inspire conversation about the contributions of all women.”

AKMA is proud to present a selection of works by portrait artist, Patricia Streeper. Works will be on view from November 18, 2023 – January 7, 2024. Opening reception will be held on Friday, November 17 from 4-7 pm. Opening receptions are free and open to the public. A cash bar and light refreshments will be available.

Artist’s Statement: “Exceptional human traits know no gender or race.  Courage, determination, passion, perseverance…these are the characteristics of human potential and are possible in all people regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, background or belief.  This series of “visual biographies” is a collection of oil portraits of women from history or presently making history that deserve to be acknowledged and honored for their accomplishments, dedication, and willingness to take a stand for the sake of opportunity for themselves and others.  With this work, my goal is to spark curiosity and encourage the viewer to learn more about what comprises women’s bold work…and to inspire conversation about the contributions of all women.”

AKMA is proud to present a selection of works by portrait artist, Patricia Streeper. Works will be on view from November 18, 2023 – January 7, 2024. Opening reception will be held on Friday, November 17 from 4-7 pm. Opening receptions are free and open to the public. A cash bar and light refreshments will be available.

Artist’s Statement: “Exceptional human traits know no gender or race.  Courage, determination, passion, perseverance…these are the characteristics of human potential and are possible in all people regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, background or belief.  This series of “visual biographies” is a collection of oil portraits of women from history or presently making history that deserve to be acknowledged and honored for their accomplishments, dedication, and willingness to take a stand for the sake of opportunity for themselves and others.  With this work, my goal is to spark curiosity and encourage the viewer to learn more about what comprises women’s bold work…and to inspire conversation about the contributions of all women.”