ART BYTES

An objects technician in the Nelson-Atkins Conservation division, Joe Rogers has been with the museum for 42 years and has been working with the Shuttlecocks since they were nothing more than an idea.

For the past 50 years, photographer Terry Evans has enjoyed national acclaim; she is one of the most important landscape photographers of our time. Her straight-forward but richly complex photographs of the Midwest prairie are familiar yet surprising, encouraging the viewer to see this landscape and the people living there with fresh eyes and new understanding.

A specialist in provenance tracks down the history of ownership of each object in a museum’s collection. The Nelson-Atkins vast collection numbers more than 42 thousand, so provenance specialist MacKenzie Mallon is kept very busy tracing the lineage of each one of those objects.

Hank Willis Thomas creates images and symbols that define our time, from advertisements and logos to historical photographs and public monuments. A conceptual artist, an activist, and the co-founder of the organization For Freedom, his projects challenge our perceptions of race, identity, and consumerism.

Rachael Cozad is a trusted voice in art appraisal. With deep roots in Kansas City, and a global reach, she guides collectors, institutions, and even insurance companies through the complex, captivating world of fine art.

Porfirio Guiterrez was born into a lineage of weavers in Oaxaca, Mexico. His textiles are not just beautiful- they are a profound connection to the earth, a living history, and a testament to the enduring power of tradition.

Dr. Saborit is a renowned historian, essayist, and translator. He specializes in cultural history, examining the intersection of literature, history, and modern Mexican society. 

Dario Robleto integrates science and art to deliver unique, thoughtful, and joyful experiences. A transdisciplinary artist, Dario is also a researcher, writer, teacher, and filmmaker.

What would it feel like to take a paintbrush to a masterpiece? Scott Heffley knows. As a Painting Conservator for 34 years, he was up close and personal with masterpieces many times. But this world class conservator is also a world class collector of the quirky, the unique, and the kitschy.

The master printer and founder of the Lawrence Lithography Workshop reminisces about his storied career, the artists with whom he has worked, and the enormous patience required to produce stunning lithographs.

Born in a small town in Holland and now based in Mexico City, Jan Hendrix creates complex patterns and dynamic architectural metal installations that mesmerize even the casual observer.

The Louis L. and Adelaide C. Ward Senior Curator, European Arts at the Nelson-Atkins discusses our current fascination with immersive art experiences and how Claude Monet was one of the artists leading that charge many, many years ago.

Comedian, actor, and avid art collector Cheech Marin talks about his career with Tommy Chong and his passion for collecting Chicano art.

The field of Art Therapy has grown exponentially around the world, partly due to the pandemic. Art Therapist Sherri Jacobs explains how making art can actually reduce sadness, anger, and depression.

We go behind the scenes at Christie’s Auction House at Rockefeller Plaza with the Director of Business Development and Head of Museum and Corporate Collection Services to find out how a high-end art auction is assembled.

The internationally acclaimed Venezuelan artist who began his career as an engineer now makes massive, magical sculptures that move and dance.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City launches its newest podcast series. Art Bytes episodes are geared toward listeners who have an interest in art but don't necessarily know a great deal about it. Each standalone episode takes the listener behind the art on the walls and into the fascinating stories of how artists work, how art is made, and how the world of art is filled with diversity