Alcott has had the honor of helping a family and friends to honor an incredible person whom had her first full Art Exhibit at The Alcott in 2017.

Alcott representatives are always on the lookout for new Artists to offer exhibition space to in an attempt to bring positive attention to them. Kayleigh “Kitt” Van Hassel was one of these such Artists. Alcott’s Executive Director Chris Green was the lucky person to find Kitt. She (Chris) was moving from vendor to vendor at Comic Con looking for that special person that just exuded confidence in her Art. Kitt was a powerhouse working constantly to improve her skills and create new and fun works of Art that Chris couldn’t help but notice.

Chris asked her to exhibit and she was thrilled to be noticed, but let me tell you, she was noticed by many in the procession of people filing down the lane where she was located. The plan was made for Alcott to host her Exhibit and the details were worked out over the winter. The Exhibits Opening was September 9, 2017. The turnout was great, with people coming in from around the country to help Kitt celebrate her accomplishments and to view her wonderfully uplifting Artwork. This was all after graduating from the Kansas City Art Institute.

We kept in touch with Kitt over the last couple of years watching her grow even more after her exhibit at Alcott and when we were contacted by Kitt’s family with the news of her passing, we were devastated.

You see Kitt was only 30 years old and had life by the horns pointing forward in a very Positive direction. A life taken way before her time. Kitt was taken by a very sudden medical condition.

The family wanted to honor Kitt’s life and talent again at the Alcott in the way of a last exhibit at the place where she had her first one.

As many of you know Alcott closes the building in November and opens back up in the spring when it is warm enough for events, but this was a request that we couldn’t say no to.
So we brought in the propane heaters and cranked up the electric space heaters and warmed the inside of the first floor enough to except the family and friends. We were very lucky that the weather cooperated with temps in the fifties. (Kitt wanted everyone to be comfortable enough to stay awhile.)
The celebration of Kitt’s life was wonderful, with her Artwork hung in the Galleries by her friends and family. Everyone had the chance to see just how talented Kitt was. They were also able to talk about her life and passions and what they wanted to accomplish in her name. We know she was very pleased with the turn out.

We would like to Thank Kitt’s Family and Friends for including us in her life celebration. It meant a lot to us.