Courtney Wasson, Executive Director

Courtney Wasson, a Kansas City resident for 23 years and alumna of the Kansas City Art Institute, is dedicated to fostering community and championing the arts through her roles in the non-profit sector. As Executive Director of the Kansas City Artists Coalition and former Executive Director of Studios Inc, she has developed impactful relationships and community programs. Additionally, as Program Administrator for the Lighton International Artist Exchange Program, she supports artists locally and globally. Passionate about contributing to Kansas City's growth through the arts, Wasson continues to make a significant impact in her community.

“As Executive Director of KCAC, I aspire to have a positive impact within and around the Kansas City region — a place where culture thrives, that is welcome to all, and that anyone would be proud to call home. It is my want and goal to have a positive impact on our community. It is my intention to use my skills and experience to honor KCAC’s history and goals moving forward.”

courtney@kansascityartistscoalition.org

Babs O’Halloran, Programs Director

Emerging artist from the East coast of the United States, has been working and living in the Midwest for the past three years to gain her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Kansas City Art Institute with a primary focus in Printmaking. Her artistic voice is firmly rooted in the empowerment of herself and others. Demonstrated in her current works are themes of pride, dissent, joy, flirtation, and curiosity. These feelings are manifested through a variety of methods equally focused on communicating personal narratives and activism. Viewers of her work are encouraged to reflect on the intentionally provocative shapes and language laden images. Her art is a tool for starting dialogue more comfortably on tense subjects like fatphobia, sexuality, and disability representation. Maintaining a personal collection of reference materials from kindred spirits/authors of past and present feminist discourse is an integral part of the creative process for Babs.

”In simple terms, it feels exciting to take on this new role at KCAC. If you were to ask me how I really feel, I would say that it feels like starting a new book I have pre-ordered and been excited to start, has just been delivered. I have been working towards this goal of being a voice in the arts for some time. I know the book will be good because I'm already a fan of the story. This 'book' is going to be full of learning, growing, and rich in art and creative expression. Having the opportunity to be a part of KCAC beyond my previous role as a member is one I couldn't have done without the effort and dedication I put into my work at KCAI and for KCAI as a student representative on the I.D.E.A.S. Council as well as multiple semesters as a Durwood Intern at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.”

babs@kansascityartistscoalition.org

Addison Parrish, Exhibitions Director

Addison Parrish is a local, emerging, artist born in 1997 in Des Moines, IA. He is a self taught, multi-disciplinary artist, having spent the last 5 years (after completing his bachelors in Marketing & Finance at Loyola-Chicago and California Polytechnic University) developing his practice. This past year he has had 2 solo exhibitions in Kansas City at the Plug gallery and the Kansas City Artists Coalition. His work has been exhibited across the United States, most notably in New York, Arizona, California, Iowa, and Missouri. He is a black artist who is engaged in community building and providing accessibility to the arts + greater quality of life for all. 

addison@kansascityartistscoalition.org

Terri Pollack, Membership Coordinator

Terri Pollack is a visual artist from Kansas City who received her BFA  for painting from the Kansas City Art Institute in 1996. After graduating she studied Spanish and fresco painting at Veracruz University in Xalapa. Terri participated in La Strada Dell’ Arte, street painting festival in KC for several years beginning in 2008. She has had her work accepted into juried, group and solo exhibitions in Kansas City MO, Kansas City, KS, Rochester NY, Lawrence KS, and Chicago IL. Terri has been a member of The Kansas City Artists Coalition since 2007 and served on the  board from 2016 to 2023 and still volunteers regularly, she also has membership with InterUrban ArtHouse. Terri works part time at The Studios Inc.as a gallery and office assistant. Currently Terri has a studio space in the West Bottoms in Kansas City, MO.

terri@kansascityartistscoalition.org

Andrew Johnson, Forum Editor

Andrew Johnson is the editor of Forum as well as an essayist, poet, and multimedia artist. His work has appeared in The Sun, Image, Commonweal, Guernica, Crazyhorse, KC Studio, New Letters,and elsewhere. He is the author of two books: The Thread and On Earth As It Is. His multimedia installation Closure Is Not Justice was exhibited at Vulpes Bastille in September 2023 and at Thornhill Gallery in January 2024. He is the recipient of a Charlotte Street Foundation studio residency, an ArtsKC Inspiration grant, a Rocket Grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation, and a Vermont Studio Center residency. He holds a MFA in creative nonfiction from the University of Missouri - Kansas City, and a BA in communication from William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri. He lives in the Hyde Park area of Kansas City, Missouri with his wife and three children.

forum@kansascityartistscoalition.org