Join us April 11 for a massive group exhibition organized by Joe Bussell. Artists of a Certain Age is an exhibit of incredible work, full of unexpected mediums and meaningful messages.

Featuring work by: 

Joe Bussell, Fred Trease, Monika Teal, Rita Guile, Allan Winkler, Mary Ann Coonrod, Nancy Morrison, Joelle Ford, Maria Vasquez Boyd, Andrea Fuhrman, Teresa Dirks, Cathy Logan, Karen Williams, Teresa Mastro, Tilly Woodward, Colette Bangert, Linda Jurkiewicz, Susan Speck, Andrea Brookhart, Mark Westervelt, Mark Kielkucki, Virginia Ostergren, Sherry Evon Whetstone

We had so much fun at the opening of Chico Sierra’s exhibition, “Holy Smokes,” that we’ve decided to keep the party going. Join us Saturday, March 28th from 1-7 at Smalter Gallery to see more of the exhibit, plus live drawing and music by Chico!

Originally from El Paso, Chico has become a staple of the Kansas City arts scene, with work appearing in popular exhibits and shown at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art.

Join us Friday, March 13th for the opening reception of Holy Smokes, a solo exhibition with new work by the incomparable Chico Sierra.

Originally from El Paso, Chico has become a staple of the Kansas City arts scene, with work appearing in popular exhibits and shown at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art.

His newest work (and most exciting yet) debuts at Smalter Gallery on March 13. Join us for the opening reception!

Out of the Woods and Through the Storm. Friday, February 13th 2026 5pm-8pm. Featuring new work by Lee Smalter & Taj Mattingly.

Join us Friday the 13th at The Smalter Gallery for our newest exhibition, The Ballad of Black Care (Or, Out of the Woods and Through the Storm). This show features never before seen work by the creative team behind Smalter Gallery, Lee Smalter & Taj Mattingly. 

Join us for our next event on December 14 - our Holiday Pop-Up! 

We'll be showcasing beautiful and provocative work by local artists.

We'll have plenty of pieces that would make excellent gifts, so swing by, support local art, and finish off your holiday shopping.

Vespera - A Solo Exhibition by Brittany Noriega

Friday, November 7, 2025. 5pm - 8pm

Join us for the opening reception of Brittany Noriega’s solo exhibition, “Vespera.”

From the artist:

“Vespera means ‘evening star’ or ‘of the evening.’ It is a threshold; when day exhales into night, shadows stretch long, and the air grows heavy with quiet. Resilience here isn’t loud; it is patient, watchful, and steady.

For the past two years I’ve been studying thresholds, in my artwork, in my research, and my own life. What does it mean to step into darkness prepared instead of afraid? The drawings that emerged became guardians: figures that endure, quietly holding space.

We all pass through seasons of transition, grief, and change. These moments aren’t ornamental; they are essential. Vespera reminds us that resilience often hums low in the marrow, where endings fold into beginnings, asking us simply to notice, to wait, to watch.”

The Halloween Show rises from the dead!

One of our most popular annual shows, featuring the creepiest, most mysterious art, returns to Smalter Gallery on Friday, October 10, 2025.

If you delight in darkness or make merry in the macabre, this show is for you.

Join us from 6pm-9pm, if you dare.

Join us for the closing reception of “Devotion,” a solo exhibition by artist Micael Elrod, taking place at Smalter Gallery in Kansas City, MO.

Sunday, October 5, 2025
1:00 PM 3:00 PM

An artist talk/Q&A with Micael Elrod will take place at 2:00pm.

Devotion is a solo exhibition by artist Micael Elrod, taking place at Smalter Gallery in Kansas City, MO.

From the Artist:

“I have spent my entire life listening to my Catholic family speak about devotion. Devoted wife, devoted mother. A good devoted catholic girl. I devoted my youth striving to meet all the expectations that my family and religion placed on me while grappling with the dichotomy of how Jesus lived and what I was being taught. I have spent my entire adult life unlearning this indoctrination, relearning what devotion truly means.

Devotion: loyalty, observance, faithfulness, worship. From the Latin devovere, to consecrate, to dedicate to a divine purpose.

I am devoted to my children, my family, my dogs and cats, my garden, my neighbors. I am devoted to my creativity. My purpose is to live a life of reverence. I have devoted my life to what is divine: the Earth, the trees, the flowers, the bees, the sun and moon, the breeze, and silliness.

My work is both my devotion and a dedication to this world. Every spider, snake, rodent, flower, leaf, rock, human deserves devotion and love, to be cared for, to be worshipped on the altar that is our planet. All the life on this planet brings me joy, awe, love, and gratitude. Divinity lies in every cell in every corner of this planet and I honor this divinity in every stitch of my work.”

Our annual neighborhood show returns!

Join us for the opening reception of our sixth annual W 39th St Neighborhood Show, exhibiting work by artists living and working within walking distance of the gallery.

This year featuring work by Aaron Howell, Justin Canja, Randy Moore, Mindy Goodman, Taj Mattingly, Moe Leady, Phil Dunn, Brittany Noriega, William Gilfoyle, Josh Martin and many more!

Pinch & Zoom, a group exhibition featuring works by Aaron Howell and Justin Canja explores the duality between the micro and macro perspectives of queer relationships and social activism. Through various modes of materials and artistic applications the artists highlight the connectivity of their interpersonal reflections. The exhibition relays the portrayals of perspectives from the various people, keepsakes and instances inviting viewers to reflect on how we navigate through the intersection of the queer experiential narrative and societal norms.

Pinch & Zoom, a group exhibition featuring works by Aaron Howell and Justin Canja explores the duality between the micro and macro perspectives of queer relationships and social activism. Through various modes of materials and artistic applications the artists highlight the connectivity of their interpersonal reflections. The exhibition relays the portrayals of perspectives from the various people, keepsakes and instances inviting viewers to reflect on how we navigate through the intersection of the queer experiential narrative and societal norms.

Florescence closing reception with artist talk.

Join us for a closing reception of Florescence and a discussion with artists Shelly Pinto, Laura Nugent and Terri Pollack.

Cupcakes, wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided!

Join us for the opening reception of Florescence, a group show of works by Laura Nugent, Shelly Pinto and Terri Pollack.

“Florescence celebrates three artists’ transformation of their practices. Each experiment with unfamiliar materials and methods as a leap into unknown territory, entering an aspirational new phase that amplifies and extends previous work.” - CJ Charbonneau, exhibition essayist.

In this exciting and timely new series, mid-career artist Kwanza Humphrey tenderly pays tribute to those oft-forgotten African tribal artisans who inspired this work. Humphrey’s ancestral home is on the vast continent of Africa, and through this work, he reaches back in time to create a bridge with those in the motherland who have inspired him and so many others with their work. Working in the tradition of folk and vernacular art, Kwanza elaborates on ideas and concepts represented in the tribal narrative. Humphrey elevates and transforms the utilization of the masks from a primarily utilitarian purpose into a reflective concept. Through this process, the artist honors their tradition and introduces new audiences to these seminal creatives, their influential work, and their legacy of artistic brilliance and innovation.

Passing Go, a group exhibition featuring works by Kansas City artists Justin Canja, Brittany Noriega, and Chico Sierra, explores the interplay between inner emotional landscapes and external environments. By representing a variety of people, places, and things, each artist reflects on how our inner worlds intersect with the surroundings we navigate.

The Smalter Gallery is an art gallery in Kansas City welcoming emerging and experienced artists.

Join us for a celebration of the morbid and macabre. Opening Friday the 13th, 6-9pm.

Including works by Taj Mattingly, Brittany Noriega, V Holecek, Troy McEvers, Hannah Hyatt, Martina Michelova, Natalie Medellin, Tyson Schroeder, Philo Northrup, Teresa Mastro and others!

It's the return of the neighborhood show! Originally dreamed up in our first year, now on the other side of the pandemic we are bringing back our hyper-local showcase. This exhibition highlights the great artistic talent living right in the gallery's backyard, showing works in a range of mediums by artists who have lived, worked and loved on 39th street. Including works by Joe Bussell, Fred Trease, Shelly Pinto, Brittany Noriega, Terri Pollack, Madaline Marak, Jane Gilbreath, Celina Curry, Troy McEvers, Linda Jurkiewicz, Jackson Daughety, Jenna Bauer, Michael Cawthon and more!

Join us for our 1st Annual Core Showcase - an exhibition of works by artists who have been featured in the Core zine created by Brittany Noriega.

Including works by Bea Bonanno, Adam Crowley, Terri Pollack, Tanith K, Tj Templeton, JoAnna Termini, Derrick Schmidt , Hannah Lane, Blanca Herrada, Taj Mattingly, Allison Bowman, Tetiana Siedina, Jenna Bauer, Carlos Ortiz-Gallo, Anita Easterwood, Angela Olsson, SK Reed, Gwen Murphy, .E Lewis, Wolfe Brack, Clarissa Knighten, Zac Bendrick, Michelle Pond, Kwanza Humphrey, Cesar Lopez and more!

Deromanticizing Complex Narratives, created by Vivian Wilson-Bluett and curated by Harold Smith.

This body of work began at an isolated artist residency in January 2020 in response to a recent personal crisis. It soon evolved to address the global crisis in which we all found ourselves

A ongoing series of small panels painted from the artist's photographs. The images are shot from daily life, travel, and people and places that have become meaningful or symbolic over time. Whether thick brushstrokes or the woodgrain of the panel, the emphasis is on an underlying texture referencing emotions, memories, or even subatomic particles that flow through solid objects and time. Many of the paintings gave been slowly touched for years keeping the window to that memory and its possible conclusions open.

Join us for a show of small, beautiful and affordable works by 23 local artists! Great for the holidays.

Featuring: Taj Mattingly, Lori Raye Erickson, Annie Webster, Chelsea Klamm, Brenden Blue, Mike Hill, Terri Pollack, Laura Nugent, Adana Garrote, Andrea Cira, Brittany Noriega, Allison Bowman, Andrew Jones, Trish Nixon, Linda Jurkiewicz, Desiree Warren, Ellen Weitkamp, Benjamin Parks, V Holecek, And others!

A great opportunity to support KCMO artists and find the perfect piece of affordable art for you or as a gift for a loved one.

Two artists offer up works separately inspired, but rooted in similar soil. Capturing the curves of time and space using lines and color. That is a Long Line, a dual exhibition by Chico Sierra and Jose Faus, opens June 12th and will be on view through July 9th.

Out in the Open is a solo exhibition by Gabriella Poulos, a graduating senior at KCAI.  Out in the Open explores pioneer America by reflecting on its history of expansion, conquest and hierarchy. Poulos considers how humankind has been led by the desire to conquer and tame natural wilderness and invites the viewer to consider their own relationship to the land, humans and animals.

"After Hours" is an expression of the ways in which we strip ourselves down after dark and become our rawest selves. Onnissia created these pieces to highlight the intimacy she felt she was missing during quarantine, and to honor the authenticity we allow ourselves to embody when we are alone. It beckons the viewer to consider who we really are, after we've removed our shoes, our belts, our work badges, and the literal and metaphorical masks we wear in public.

After the 27th, viewings will be available by appointment after sunset or on Fridays and Saturdays without an appointment, limited to a capacity of ten. Masks required.

In their new body of work, "Heaven," Wilks explores new territory in the product of everlasting life. If Hell is the tool of fear, what is Heaven if not the sell. Corruption, greed, abuse of power, and the fleeting visual of spirit are all conversations happening in 'Heaven.' Is Heaven the original gated community? How does this ancient concept translate and contribute to today's tensions?