New Horizons launched in October 2024 as a curated exhibition celebrating early career artists in Kansas City. More than just a show, it marked the beginning of a broader vision to create space for discovery, connection, and long term creative growth.

Through professional development, mentorship, and community collaboration, New Horizons exists to equip artists with the tools, visibility, and support they need to thrive.

About the Program.

A Launchpad, Not a Finish Line

Each New Horizons artist is chosen not only for the strength of their work, but also for their desire to grow. The program supports emerging artists through opportunities for exhibition, skill building, and connection with collectors, funders, and peers.

New Horizons reinvests in the community. 30% of all exhibition sales are donated to reStart Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness in Kansas City.

Want to be part of the next phase?
Take the Emerging Artist Needs Assessment

2024 Inaugural Exhibition

The First Cohort

The first New Horizons cohort featured 8 Kansas City based artists, each bringing bold vision and a commitment to growth. Together, their work marked the beginning of an ongoing movement to support emerging creative voices in our region.

From expressive portraits to experimental installations, the exhibit offered a wide range of powerful voices and vision.

Curated by Daniel Montoute, the exhibition celebrated the vibrant future of contemporary art. It connected audiences with new creative voices and had direct community impact. This experience reflected where artistic expression meets social purpose.

Meet the Artists

Below are the featured artists from our inaugural cohort. We encourage you to connect, support, and follow their creative journeys.

Featured Artist: Adriana Brown

Website: adrianabrownart.com

Social Media: Instagram: @adrianabrownart

Adriana Brown is an interdisciplinary artist hailing from Hannibal, Missouri, with roots in the Kansas City area. With a background in art and psychology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Adriana merges her passions for creativity and mental health, using her artwork to make others feel seen, heard, and inspired. Now a full-time artist, she celebrates her first year of running her own art business, showcasing her versatile talent in mixed media, primarily acrylic and watercolor. Adriana's work, including pieces like Movement in Color, On Top of the World, and Tectonics at Play, will be featured in the upcoming 'New Horizons' exhibition. Don't miss the chance to experience her dynamic creations and support a cause close to her heart.

Featured Artist: Brian Shadensack

Social Media: Brian Shadensack on Facebook

Brian Shadensack is an artist who embraces the raw and unpredictable nature of the creative process. Rejecting the obsession with the final product, Brian's work delves into the intrinsic beauty of materials, the act of creation, and the unexpected outcomes that arise from artistic exploration. His philosophy, that there is no failure in art—only the creation of something different—shines through in his mixed media paintings. Brian's featured works, such as Hellscape 3 and Reclining Women, will be part of the 'New Horizons' exhibition, inviting viewers to experience the beauty of expression in its most unfiltered form.

Featured Artist: Brittany Buchanan

Social Media: Instagram: @Brittbphotography

Brittany Buchanan is a Kansas City-based photographer with a for capturing the overlooked beauty in everyday life. As an amateur/semi-professional photographer, Brittany's work encourages viewers to pause, reflect, and appreciate the dynamic world around them. Her photography invites people to take a moment to "smell the roses" and find joy in the small details often missed in the rush of daily life. Brittany's pieces, City in Reflection 1, City in Reflection 2, and In the Spotlight will be showcased in the 'New Horizons' exhibition, offering a glimpse into her evolving artistic journey and her love for discovering unexpected moments of beauty.

Featured Artist: Jesus Garcia

Phone Number: 816-882-3189

Email Address: jgmecool87@gmail.com

Jesus Garcia is an enthusiastic artist dedicated to sharing his passion for creativity with the world. With a goal to have his work appreciated locally and internationally, Jesus focuses on producing vibrant paintings that resonate with the community. His work embodies a desire for recognition and connection through art, hoping to inspire others and spread joy with his creations. Jesus will be showcasing his series titled Art for Walls at the 'New Horizons' exhibition, where he aspires to leave a lasting impression on all who view his art.

Featured Artist: Kelly Meiners

Website: www.KELLYMEINERS.art
Social Media: Instagram: @kellymeiners.art

Kelly Meiners is an intuitive painter whose work serves as a powerful means of communication, expressing emotions and thoughts shaped by her journey with a brain injury and long-term effects of COVID-19. Once a busy mom, physical therapist, college professor, and department chair, Kelly’s life dramatically changed due to the virus, leaving her homebound and unable to care for herself. Through her art, she finds peace, creativity, and a way to connect with the world despite her physical limitations.

Kelly creates her abstract paintings in short bursts, working with a variety of mediums including acrylic, watercolor, oil pastels, and graphite. Her work, like her piece Whirlwind of Summer, captures the harmonious chaos that reflects her internal experiences and challenges. With her art, Kelly hopes to raise awareness about the impact of Long COVID and inspire hope and resilience in others facing difficult circumstances.

Featured Artist: Miranda Pietzsch

Social Media: Instagram: @mirpeachy

Miranda Pietzsch is a Kansas City-based artist and passionate animal welfare advocate. Her artwork, characterized by bright colors and an insatiable curiosity, spans various mediums and subjects. Miranda's piece, Friends Outside the Binary, explores themes of gender identity and acceptance, aiming to offer a moment of reflection and understanding. With a background that embraces a wide range of interests and artistic styles, Miranda is excited to share her work in the upcoming "New Horizons" exhibition.

Featured Artist: Robert Castillo

Website: robertcastillo.art

Social Media: Instagram: @blob_castle

Robert Castillo, an interdisciplinary artist from Kansas City, blends his background as a jazz bassist and composer with a diverse visual art practice. His work ranges from realistic portraits using glazing oil painting techniques to vibrant geometric forms and intricate stone sculptures. Influenced by his Mayan heritage and a global perspective, Castillo’s art defies categorization and invites viewers to connect with their own heritage and creativity. His piece, On Pink, a striking, will be showcased at the "New Horizons" exhibition. Discover the depth and dynamism of Castillo’s work and engage with a creative journey that celebrates cultural heritage and artistic exploration.

Featured Artist: Sierra Faust

Website: sierrafaust.com

Social Media: Instagram: @sierramfaust

Sierra Faust is an innovative artist who appropriates text and the texture of information, transforming literary sources into tangible experiences. Her artistic practice involves designing templates and establishing rules for action—such as grids for writing—allowing her to map language into physical space.

Through her artwork, Sierra seeks to challenge the authority of language, exposing its imperfect relationship with reality. She views her practice as a language game that reveals the complexities of communication, inviting viewers to engage with new ideas outside their areas of expertise.

With Gratitude to Our Sponsors

New Horizons was made possible with support from organizations and individuals who believe in expanding creative opportunity and building stronger communities through the arts.