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Theatre in the Park Temporary Art Installation
About the Artist
Since 1998, Kansas City based visual artist Chris Dahlquist has exhibited extensively throughout the United States. Committed to the accessibility of art, Dahlquist exhibits in traditional and non-traditional settings and creates large-scale public installations allowing audiences to encounter and interact with photographic objects in unexpected ways. Dahlquist’s works are held in many individual, corporate and civic collections, have won countless awards across the country, and grant funding from Mid-America Art Alliance, Metropolitan Kansas City Arts Council and Anonymous Was a Woman. Dahlquist is represented by Sager Reeves Gallery and Olson-Larsen Galleries.
In addition to her studio practice, Dahlquist brings her passionate pragmatism to a community practice helping artists build sustainable careers. Using curriculum development, workshops, lectures, community building, and one-on-one mentoring, she has worked with hundreds of individual artists of all disciplines to develop strategies and business skills to support their practices.
Through personal experience, stories of hundreds of artists she has worked with, and a guiding principle that the artist must be at the center of a strong arts ecosystem, Dahlquist also works with municipalities, organizations, and businesses to develop strategies, programs, and policies to support individual artists. Most notably in this role, Dahlquist partnered with Kansas City, MO, the Kansas City Economic Development Council, and AltCap: Alternative Capital for Community Impact to develop and launch the first artist-centered micro-lending program in the country and created the Creative Economy Initiative for Bravo Greater Des Moines, a comprehensive action plan for the support of individual artists living and working in the Des Moines area. Currently, Dahlquist is developing Gillis Corner, a mixed-use property, exploring models of real property ownership that allow artists to be equity stakeholders in the neighborhoods they are improving.
IG: ChrisDahlquistArt | FB: Chris Dahlquist Studio
Project Overview
Theatre in the Park (TIP) is located on 10 acres in the northeast corner of Shawnee Mission Park. Each summer, Theatre in the Park presents five popular Broadway-style musicals with casts featuring actors from the surrounding community. The season welcomes over 26,000 attendees over the course of a summer, culminating with Evening in the Park, a free summertime party featuring live music and a movie. As an added feature to Theatre in the Park, a temporary public art project will be installed to create a fun, interactive, and magical component to this much-loved community tradition.
The goals for the temporary public art at Theatre in the Park are to:
- Engage visitors of Shawnee Mission Park and attendees of Theatre in the Park with an artwork that is fun, interactive and/or participatory.
- Create a sense of magic in the park and around Theatre in the Park that can be enjoyed during daylight and evening hours. Artists are encouraged to incorporate lighting as part of their design.
- Create a piece that is site specific and inspired by the usage and visitation.
- Provide opportunities for local and regional artists.
The Theatre in the Park Art Selection Committee includes:
- Tim Bair, Producing Artistic Director of Theatre in the Park
- Kelby Hellwig, JCPRD Central Region Park Manager
- Susan Mong, Superintendent of Culture
- Rodney Riffle, Public Art Committee Representative / JCPRD Planning & Development
- Jonathan Thomas, Theatre Advisory Council member
- Catherine Kirkland, Community Artist
- DeAnn Gould-Lancaster, Community Art Advocate
Pictured, left to right: DeAnne Gould-Lancaster, Catherine Kirkland, Jonathan Thomas, Tim Bair, Susan Mong, Kelby Hellwig. Not pictured: Rodney Riffle.
Tentative Timeline
November 17, 2022 | Artist Call Opens on CaFE |
December 6, 2022 | Virtual Open House / Informational Session |
December 29, 2022 | Artists Qualifications Due (by 11:59 PM) |
January 12, 2023 | ASC Selects Finalists |
February 3, 2023 | Pre-Proposal Site Visit with Finalists |
February 24, 2023 | Finalists Present Concept Proposals to ASC |
February 28, 2023 | ASC Selects Final Artist / Design |
March 15, 2023 | JCPRD Board Approval of Selected Artist / Design |
March & April 2023 | Finalize Design and Fabrication |
May 2023 | Installation (with completion by May 31) |
June 2, 2023 | Artwork “Unveiled” at Theatre in the Park Season Opening |
July 2023 | Community Engagement Activity |
Fall 2023 with possibility of extending into 2024 | Artwork Deinstallation (details will be coordinated in contract) |
Looking for information about the 2022 Theatre in the Park Temporary Public Art Project? Click here!
Symbiosis by Matthew Dehaemers
JCPRD's Public Art Vision Statement
Public art in JCPRD parks, trails and facilities will inspire a deeper connection to place through interactive, immersive, and inclusive experiences.
Supporting the JCPRD Public Art Program
The Parks and Recreation Foundation of Johnson County plays a crucial role in the fulfillment of JCPRD’s Public Art Program through the procurement of grants and donations. The foundation continues to seek support for future projects through corporate and private funders. Those interested in becoming involved with public art initiatives are encouraged to contact Susan Mong, Superintendent of Culture, at 913-715-2573 or [email protected].