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Text by Mary Forsell
What people know is that the galleries are here,” says Holly
Swangstu-Ferguson, managing director of Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, established
some 20 years ago as the first gallery in the Crossroads Art District. “But what
they don’t always know is that there are also shops, so if you’re an art lover
but your friend wants to look for shoes, you can do both. The neighborhood has
it all in a compact, walkable package.” Often compared with New York’s SoHo
before the brand names moved in and rents skyrocketed, this section of
once-vacant warehouses and industrial buildings has become the cultural heart of
the city.
(a) The ribbon and giftwrap selection at Aesthetica is dazzling. Modern furniture,
accessories, lighting, and jewelry fuel the mix. (b)Itty-bitty as a bikini,
birdies stocks gorgeous lingerie and swimsuits. (c) Frequent trips by owners Tim
Butt and Brad Bloom to China, India, Cambodia, and beyond keep Black Bamboo well
stocked in clean-lined Asian antiques.
(d) Topiaries dramatically contrast with glass cylinders and candles at Studio
Dan Meiners, a floral and event design house. You could also stop in for fresh
flowers presented in an artistic vase or an Asian-style box. (e) Hand-dyed fabric
draped on a dress form at Joscelyn Himes Textiles. The studio specializes in
custom work, though a few items are available off the rack. (f) Modern Saarinen
pedestal table and chairs at Hudson Home never go out of style.
(g) Dramatic use of color is a Studio Dan Meiners specialty. (h) Clever, well-edited
displays do not overwhelm the eye at Habitat Shoe Store, about as opposite as
you can get from a one-style-fits-all shoe warehouse.
(i) Greetings from Kansas City? Hardly. This selection of letterpress postcards
from Hammerpress is more likely to read “Picky Eaters Need Coffee.” (j) Match your baby from head to toe at Aesthetica. (k) Diet tip:
Admiring the artistry of the hand-sculpted confections at Christopher Elbow
Artisanal Chocolates might actually make you consume them more slowly—but
probably not.
Heartland Artland page
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