James R. Wilson, Jr.

James R. Wilson, Jr. (he/him/his) is a multidisciplinary artist, recovering English teacher, and full-time dad living in Overland Park, KS. His work has been used by Spitfire, Second Nature Recordings, Waxwing, James Christos, and Status. James has shown his work at the Alcott Arts Center and Escapist. 
Statement:
Far too many of us find ourselves chained to desks in cubicle hell surrounded by the cacophony of small talk and keyboards. Overworked, underpaid, and very annoyed. Sometimes we miss the old days. homesick. brings together photos from the late 90’s and early 2000’s with contemporary drawings and paintings of the emptiness of existence. Two sides of the same coin illuminating each other for a deeper understanding of where we came from and where we are now. 

Ariele Fowler

As a potter, I see myself as an alchemist, and clay is all about transformation. Clay starts as raw
material, and through our hands, it becomes something new. This catalyst presents a change,functionally in the material itself, and symbolically in the viewer's perception of art.I draw inspiration from the unknown, empathy, deep space, magic, and consciousness, and I explore how these abstract ideas can be reflected in the form and functionality of my pieces.Each handle, curve, and surface is an attempt to manifest something intangible into the tactile.I stain stoneware clay and layer patterns using the nerikomi technique or randomly combine colors through neriage on the wheel. Additionally, I experiment with otherworldly glazes to convey abstract emotions or visions inspired by dreams.Pottery is a medium endless for exploration, where each piece has the potential to present an emotional journey and a physical transformation. My goal is to make something beautiful but also translate the depth of its origin—whether it's a dream, a feeling, a moment, or looking into the unknown.

–Ariele Fowler, Earth & Air Studio

Chris Frye

©FRYE! (@cvfrye)

Growing up building treehouses and skate ramps, Chris Frye has always enjoyed working with his hands. KC area art educator influenced by skate stickers, comic books, cartoons, happy meals, matchbox cars & action figures with the kung-fu grip.  Chris Frye is a visual artist, middle school art teacher in Gardner, KS and does scenic construction for BV West Theatre.  In recent years, he has been making and trading his stickers all over the world.  To see more of his artwork, follow on Instagram @cvfrye  

Kevin Thomas Barnett

Kevin Thomas Barnett is a filmmaker and photographer with decades of experience behind the lens. He first gained recognition through his work in skateboarding, creating iconic films for Toy Machine that blended raw energy with a distinct visual style. His eye for composition and tone carried through to projects like the surf film View From A Blue Moon, hailed for its striking cinematography. A participant in RED Digital Cinema’s REDirect Project, Kevin has spent his career shooting film, video, and photography across subcultures, commercial work, and personal explorations—always with a focus on mood, texture, and story.

Brandon Todd Wilson

With a visual foundation of working with winning brands in industries ranging from action sports to coffee, beer to baseball, Brandon Todd Wilson is an award-winning design architect, teacher, author, and practitioner of the particular science that is game-changer branding and illustration. Perhaps fitting for a kid who grew up collecting stickers from his favorite snowboard brands and thinking he was going to be an architect, which influenced his distinct linework style. Wilson is a dad, husband, and avid mountain biker and currently serves as the creative director for Fairwave, an ever-growing collective of coffee brands and shops centered in the Midwest.
My art style comes from a mix of my love for architecture and the organic beauty of nature. I’m fascinated by the linework of blueprints, and I try to bring that sense of structure into my work. At the same time, I’m drawn to the wild and free aspects of nature, which adds a lively and dynamic feel to my pieces. By combining these two passions, I create art that’s both carefully crafted and full of life, showing how the built world and the natural world can come together beautifully.

Sam Fuller-Smith

Sam Fuller-Smith is a songwriter, musician and photographer living in Franklin County, Kansas, having recently relocated from Raleigh, NC. His photography tends to focus on quiet, ordinary moments or scenes, captured on film as a way to highlight their significance and complexity. He is interested in compositions that capture texture, shadows and silence. Always hoping to find the hidden beauty within them."

Ben Hlavacek

Ben Hlavacek was born in Wichita, KS in 1989. He attended the Kansas City Art Institute, receiving BFAs in photography and creative writing. Ben worked in photography as a trade in Kansas City for several photo studios as well as freelance photography, having work published in print media outlets; The Skateboard Mag, Skateboarder, Thrasher Magazine, Color, and Confusion. Ben co-managed the gallery and studio space, The Roost, from 2012-2014. He co-founded KC based photography collective, Archive Collective, from 2013-2015, which facilitated events including meetups, print viewings, museum visits, a critique night series, a traveling show featuring regional artists, and individual artist exhibitions.

In 2014 Ben co-founded the Harrison Street DIY project, which received a Charlotte Street Foundation Rocket Grant in 2015. This project is still currently ongoing, and has become an iconic skateboarding destination, drawing visitors and attention from beyond the boundaries of the US.

Ben began working in the skate park industry in 2017, learning the trades involved in designing and building skateparks and has worked on over 50 different skatepark design/build projects across the US.

Ella Cole – Artist Bio

Ella Cole is a multi-medium artist whose work defies boundaries and blends mediums with a fearless, intuitive touch. Known for her distinctive vision and bold experimentation, Ella has been creating since she could hold a brush—beginning formal art classes at the Alcott Art Center at just three years old. Now a high school student, she continues to build an impressive portfolio that spans drawing, painting, ceramics, and mixed media.

Her dedication and talent have earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious Barbara Rieger Memorial Art Award, a testament to her exceptional artistic voice. Ella’s ceramic piece “Weeping Goddess” was selected as her Ceramics Instructor’s top piece of the year and exhibited in Topeka, standing out for its emotional depth and intricate craftsmanship.

In addition to her long-standing involvement at the Alcott Art Center, Ella has pursued further studies at Johnson County Community College, sharpening her technical skills and exploring new forms of expression. This summer, she will take the next step in her journey by attending the Pre-College Art Lab at the Kansas City Art Institute, where she plans to deepen her practice and prepare for a future in the arts.
Ella Cole doesn’t just create art—she tells stories, evokes emotion, and invites viewers into worlds that are at once personal and universal. With a foundation rooted in years of passion and experience, she’s only just beginning.