Explore Art - November/December 2014 by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

exploreart fall/winter calendar

2014

n o v e mb e r d e c e mb e r

exhibitions

FEATURED EXHIBITION

Gauntlets, Sioux-Métis artist, North or South Dakota, ca. 1890. Native tanned leather, glass and brass beads, cotton cloth, 14 1/2 x 8 inches each. Hirschfield Family Collection, courtesy of Berte and Alan Hirschfield.

The Plains Indians: Artists of Earth and Sky Featured T Exhibition Tickets Members: FREE Adults: $12 Seniors over 55: $10 Students with ID: $6

Through January 11, 2015 | Galleries L13–15 Artists from the Plains Indian cultures of North America create works of exceptional beauty, mystery and emotional power. This exhibition celebrates the accomplishments of these artists from before Euro-American contact in the 1500s to the present day with master works from around the globe. The exhibition was organized by the musée du quai Branly Paris, in partnership with The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, and in collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Children 12 and under: FREE Groups of 10 or more (call ahead to reserve): $8 per person

AL SO CL OSING IN J ANUARY

Across the Indian Country: Photographs by Alexander Gardner, 1867–68 Through January 11, 2015 | Gallery L11 This exhibition focuses on two of Alexander Gardner’s extremely rare bodies of work: some of the earliest photos ever taken in Kansas and extraordinary scenes from Indian treaty negotiations.

On the cover Jodi Gillette, born 1959, Hunkpapa Lakota (Teton Sioux), North Dakota. Woman’s Dress and Accessories, 2005. Native tanned and commercial leather, glass and metal beads, cotton cloth, silk, dentalium shell, metal cones, horsehair, plastic, hair pipes, brass bells, porcupine quills, brass tacks, brass and metal studs, silver cones. Courtesy of Jodi Gillette.

816.751.1ART

Alexander Gardner(1821-1882). Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, Kansas (detail) 1867. Albumen print, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles.

FREE EXHIBITIONS

Presence & Absence: New Works by Tom Price Through January 4, 2015 | Galleries L7 & L8 In his first show at the Nelson-Atkins, British artist and designer Tom Price investigates everyday materials in extraordinary ways. Presence and absence are explored in a variety of media—cast-coal bodies, voids and inclusions in resin and geometric forms. Tom Price, English (b. 1973). The Presence of Absence (detail), 2014. Coal, PVA, steel and epoxy. Courtesy of the artist.

Stone and Mist: Chinese Landscape Photography by Michael Cherney Through July 5, 2015 Gallery 222

Michael Cherney, American (b. 1969). Jia Ding Fu (section) from Ten Thousand Li of the Yangtze River (detail), 2013. Handscroll, photograph on xuan paper. Artist’s collection.

Using camera and film as his “brush and ink,” Michael Cherney captures mist-filled landscapes and mysterious rock-hewn Buddhist caves in photographs mounted as traditional Chinese scrolls.

Piranesi: Imaginative Spaces Dec. 17, 2014–June 14, 2015 | Gallery P13 Piranesi is widely known for his lofty and often exaggerated views of Rome but his print series The Prisons is purely from his imagination. Contemporary artist Robert Morris drew inspiration from Piranesi to create the Glass Labyrinth in the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park.

Giovanni Battista Piranesi, Italian (1720-1778). The Man on the Rack, Plate II from the series Le Carceri (The Prisons), c. 1761. Etching. Courtesy of the Mildred Kemper Museum, Washington University.

nelson-atkins.org

Tours

TOURS

Highlights of the Collection

Tours for People who are Blind or Visually Impaired

Drop in for a free guided tour and spend up to an hour looking and discussing works in the collection.

November 15 & December 20 10:30–11:30 a.m. | Info Desk | Ages 12 & up FREE | Reservations required Join this monthly tour for visitors who are visually impaired. Explore the collections through a combination of tactile experiences and verbal descriptions. Bring family and friends or an accompanying companion to find new meaning in art! Tour topics vary each month.

art

+ family

Fun

Wed–Fri 1:30 p.m. | Thurs/Fri 6:30 & 7:30 p.m. Sat/Sun 1:30 & 2:30 p.m. | Meet at Info Desk

Featured Exhibition Tour The Plains Indians: Artists of Earth and Sky Exhibition ticket required Drop-in tours available Wed.–Fri. at 1 p.m. Visit our website to schedule a tour for six or more. Look for a museum guide and share lively conversation in the exhibition Thurs. & Fri., 6–9 p.m.; weekends, 1–4 p.m.

FOR FAMILIES!

Join us every Saturday and Sunday from 1–4 p.m. for FREE hands-on activities, close looking and conversation with museum guides in the galleries and Bloch Lobby.

WEEKEND FAMILY ACTIVITIES We explore objects from the museum’s Plains Indians collection in the American Indian galleries. Gallery Activity Look closely for patterns, colors and symbols in selected objects and view items of the Plains Indians’ daily life. FUN Spot Decorate your own pictorial calendar or folded paper carrying bag.

Story Time for Preschoolers Join us November 9 & December 14, and every second Sunday, at 1:30 p.m. in Noguchi Court for story time led by librarians from the Kansas City Public Library.

ABOVE: Nellie Two Bear Gates, (Mahpiya Bogawin, Gathering of Clouds Woman), 1854–?, Lakota (Teton Sioux), Standing Rock Reservation, North or South Dakota. Valise, 1903. Commercial and native tanned leather, glass beads, metal, 9 1/2 x 15 inches. Hirschfield Family Collection, courtesy of Berte and Alan Hirschfield.

Rozzelle Court Restaurant Lunch | Wed–Sun, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Happy Hour @ Bloch Lobby Thursdays, 5:30–8 p.m. Served dinner & live music Fridays, 5–10:30 p.m. Unique menu each week. Featuring the cuisine of the American West in celebration of The Plains Indians. Reservations 816-751-1ART (1278), option 2. Member discount.

816.751.1ART

calendar

NOVEmBER NOVEMBER

Key R

Reservations

Tickets For reservations and tickets, call 816.751.1ART (option 2).

Members only

Programs are FREE unless a price is listed. Friends of Art receive a 20% discount on events and classes unless noted. Society of Fellow receive free event tickets and 30% discount on classes (unless noted).

All activities and performances are FREE and open to the public. | T for Atkins Auditorium performances Altar installation in Kirkwood Hall On view through Nov. 9 Honoring writer Gabriel Jose Garcia Marquez and created by Miguel Angel Rivera, artist and chair of the Kansas City Art Institute Printmaking Department, with local artists from Mattie Rhodes Center and KCAI students. Program Highlights • Latin Writers Collective • Los Musicos Mariachis • El Trio Aztlan • Art activities • Free print from The Print Factory demonstrations (while supplies last) Dance Performances 1 & 3 p.m. | Mors Celare Contemporary dance with live music. 2 p.m. | El Grupo Folklorico Atotonilco Traditional performances by dancers of all ages.

nelson-atkins.org

NOVEMBER

Wednesda Y

Artful Conversation 1–2:30 p.m. | Info Desk | R Uncover new ideas and share inspiring dialogue with a docent and other participants who share your interest in art! Conversation continues in Rozzelle Court (Dutch treat).

THURSDAY

Artist’s Talk Michael Cherney 6–7 p.m. | Atkins Auditorium T | $5 Distinguished landscape photographer and long-time China resident Michael Cherney discusses photography, his passion for Chinese art and his exhibition Stone and Mist, currently on display in Gallery 222. Society of Fellows Gallery Jam 6–8 p.m. | Lens 2 & Contemporary Galleries Our new, highly acclaimed Society of Fellows program Gallery Jam is sure to excite as we continue to reveal the symbiotic relationship between the fine and performing arts. Curator Leesa Fanning partners with the Owen/Cox Dance Group to highlight contemporary works. Enjoy cocktail hour before sitting down to a private performance in our galleries. Space is limited, tickets required.

nelson-atkins.org

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T hurs day — F ri day

Member Holiday Shopping & Gift Wrap 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Museum Store Get a jump start on your holiday shopping. As an extra thank you, members receive a 15% discount in the Museum Store and complimentary gift wrapping. Membership card required.

F ri D A Y

Young Friends of Art Second Friday Happy Hour 6–8 p.m. | Bloch Lobby Join Kansas City’s most established young friends group for our regularly scheduled Second Friday Happy Hour as they unveil the theme of this year’s Party Arty. Become a member during happy hour and receive a free drink. Cash bar with special member pricing.

satur day

Member Morning 9–11 a.m. | Lens 2 |

M T

Member families are invited for breakfast and fun children’s activities before the museum opens to the public. Visit with docents on your stroll through The Plains Indians in the featured exhibition galleries. Print Society Andy Warhol in Living Color Trip to Joslyn Art Museum 2200 Dodge Street Omaha, Neb. Noon, lunch Program following lunch R | FREE for Print Society Examine how color impacts both subject and viewer, creating a dialogue between Warhol and 19 contemporary artists. TEDxYouth 1–5 p.m. | Atkins Auditorium T | $10 adults, $6 students Join visionary, creative and intellectual youth speakers and performer who will expand our perceptions and draw us into new possibilities for the future.

NOVEMBER Calling All High School and College Students! Art 360°: The Museum at Work 1:30–3:30 p.m. | Lens 2 Curious about how an art museum works? Join curators, conservators, educators, graphic and exhibition designers and more for an afternoon as they share what they do at the museum and how they landed their jobs.

w ednes day

Artist at Work: Tipi Painting Kirkwood Hall Through Sunday, Nov. 23 Observe artist-in-residence Chandler Good Strike paint an 18-foot tipi to be installed in the Sculpture Park in honor of The Plains Indians: Artists of Earth and Sky.

6–9 p.m. | BlocH Lobby T hurs day

Know Your Museum Tour 11 a.m.–Noon & 1:30–2:30 p.m. Meet at Info Desk | M T Throughout time and place, artists have depicted power and leadership. Look and discuss how art contains visual evidence of these elements. After the tour, gather in Rozzelle Court to continue your exploration and share thoughts with the group. Behind the Seen Scientific Dating Of Art: Who Needs a Curator? 6–7 p.m. | Gallery 229 Using examples of various materials like paintings, bronze sculpture, gold jewelry, ceramics, silver and organic materials, conservator Paul Benson discusses the techniques and costs of dating artifacts.

Third Thursday is your new not-so-quiet night at the museum! Join the revelry every month for live music, free programs, art activities and more showcasing the talents of local artists and collaborators, all just for adult audiences! 20 November | Crafting KC Kick off our inaugural festivities with: • Not a Planet, 2014 Pitch Music Award Nominee for Best Pop/Rock Band • DJ Mescela • Quay Coffee • Crane Brewing Company • Behind the Seen: Scientific Dating Of Art: Who Needs a Curator? • Create a Third Thursday reminder calendar with Tara Tonsor 18 December | Rad Tidings • Katy Guillen & The Girls, 2014 Pitch Music Award Winner for Best Emerging Act • Holiday air guitar with 2013 World Air Guitar Champion Eric “Mean” Melin • Last-minute Gifts: Trunk Show with local vendors • Behind the Seen: Jain Shrine • Drop-in art activity: Make your own wrapping paper with Two Tone Press • Fruitcake toss along Nichols Drive For more details, visit nelson-atkins.org. 816.751.1ART

NOVEMBER

Thank s g i v i ng We ek en d Cel e b r a t i o n Join us for our holiday tradition!

T hurs day

Tipis: Then and Now 6–7 p.m. | Spencer Art Reference Library | R Join library staff to explore the illustrations in the special collection portfolio, Blackfeet Indian Tipis: Design and Legend, followed by a visit with artist Al Chandler Good Strike as he paints a tipi.

F ri day

The Curator is IN! Express Yourself! 7–8 p.m. | Gallery L8 Curator Karin Jones wants to hear your thoughts on Presence & Absence and the new work by Tom Price.

Museum hours F riday

Dinner and Live Music 5–10:30 p.m. | Rozzelle Court Restaurant Live music, full bar, table service and unique menu each week. View menu at nelson-atkins.org/Rozzelle. For reservations, call 816.751.1ART (1278). St. George and the Dragon 5–6 p.m. Repeats 7–8 p.m. Atkins Auditorium | Lobby Level, Nelson-Atkins Building FREE Kansas City favorite, Paul Messner Puppets presents their lively interpretation of the story of St. George and the Dragon. 10th Annual Luminary Walk 5–9 p.m. | Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park Explore a winding path illuminated by candlelight in the beautiful Sculpture Park. Museum guides will be stationed at selected sculptures from 5–7 p.m. Fireside Cocoa and Concoctions 5–8:30 p.m. | Creative Café Terrace Plaza Level, Bloch Building | $1.25-$5

R Reservations T Tickets M Members only

Mon

Closed

Tue Closed Wed

10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Thurs/Fri

10 a.m.–9 p.m.

Sat

10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Sun

10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Museum Closed for Holidays Thursday, November 27 Wednesday, December 24 Thursday, December 25 Thursday, January 1

DECEMBER D ecember

M USEU M STORE E V ENTS

thurs day

In Conversation Through the Plains: A Discussion on Gardner’s Indian Country 6–7 p.m. | Atkins Auditorium T | $5 Curators Gaylord Torrence and Jane Aspinwall discuss Alexander Gardner’s 1867-68 photographs, remarkable for the candid documentation of everyday Indian life.

SATURDAY

The Curator is IN! A Closer Look, Big and Small 2 p.m. | Gallery P11 Explore connections between contemporary miniatures and their Nelson-Atkins counterparts with Karin Jones, Assistant Curator, and Laura Taylor, Museum Educator at The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures.

The Artist is IN! Saturdays in November 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Bloch Lobby Artists will sign merchandise available for purchase in the Museum Store, while they demonstrate and discuss their creative inspirations. Nov. 1 | Patricia Bird, Kiowa artist Nov. 8 | Sheri Klein, visual artist & Lauren Zabaneh, prints & textiles Nov. 15 | Danya Roselle, handcrafted jewelry Nov. 22 | Tammy Smith, mixed-media

HAPPY HOUR @ Bloch Lobby 5:30–8 p.m. | Thursdays Small plates, full bar, artful experience, and eclectic music.

Nov. 29 | Hartzell Gray, photography & Paul Winchester, pastels Dec. 6 | Irma Starr, local ceramicist Visit nelson-atkins.org for more details.

816.751.1ART

DECEMber

F ri day

YFA Second Friday Happy Hour 6–8 p.m. | Kirkwood Hall A holiday party isn’t complete without your favorite (ugly) Christmas sweater. Join us for a merry ol’ cup of eggnog and laughs around the magnificent holiday tree. Only those wearing ugly sweaters are eligible to win two tickets to Party Arty. Cash bar with special prices for members.

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sun day

Society of Fellows Holiday Revels 5:30–8 p.m. Kirkwood Hall, Rozzelle Court M T | $40 adults/$15 children 12 & under ’Tis the season for lights and beautiful holiday sounds as carolers fill the halls with seasonal classics. Share in the excitement as we enjoy a traditional English feast. Enjoy performances throughout the evening and sleigh rides under the stars.

w ednes day

T hurs day

Friends of Art Gallery Hack 6 p.m. Check-in, Cocktails in Bloch Lobby 6:30 p.m. First tour, limited to 50 7:15 p.m. Second tour, limited to 50 Bloch Lobby and Galleries M T

This un-highlights tour uncovers hidden stories of one of Kansas City’s most spectacular cultural institutions. You’ll see some of the museum’s fascinating treasures in this unique experience. Join Happy Hour in Bloch Lobby prior to the tour with member discounts.

HAPPY HOUR @ Bloch Lobby 5:30–8 p.m. | Thursdays Small plates, full bar, artful experience, and eclectic music.

R Reservations T Tickets M Members only

sun day

Print Society Holiday Gathering 2–4 p.m. Home of Stephen & Mary Pruitt Print Society members gather for holiday festivities and the semi-annual social. Contact Lisbeth Lurey for additional information, 816.751.1281.

thurs day

Know Your Museum Tour 11 a.m.–Noon & 1:30–2:30 p.m. Meet at Info Desk | M T In this season of gift-giving, reflect on objects in the collection that relate to the enduring practice of giving and receiving gifts. After the tour, gather in Rozzelle Court to continue your exploration and share thoughts with the group. Behind the Seen The Jain Shrine 6–7 p.m. Starts in Lens 2, ends in Gallery 203| T Conservator Kate Garland and curator Kimberly Masteller discuss the painstaking year of work it took to clean, conserve and study the ornate Jain Shrine, now on display.

enrollment required for all classes

studio classes & workshops

The Ford Learning Center has been made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund.

Fall Studio Classes for Ages 3–Adult The world-class collection of the Nelson-Atkins’ is the inspiration for our studio programs. Direct experience with art in the galleries provides students with a foundation for art making in the Ford Learning Center classrooms. Experience a unique learning environment for children and adults unlike any other in Kansas City!

E N R O LL M E N T Enroll today online (nelson-atkins.org/calendar), or by phone 816.751.1ART (1278), option 2. Enrollment is on a first-call, firstserved basis. Credit/debit card payment required. Cost: Museum members receive discounts on classes, 30% for Society of Fellows and 20% for Friends of Art. Please provide the following information when you call: Student’s name, address, date of birth, home phone, emergency phone and the parent/guardian name. We accept individual enrollments only; one person may not enroll students from multiple families. Enroll early—class size is limited. Enrollment deadline is three days prior to a class or workshop. Classes that do not reach a minimum enrollment will be cancelled and fees refunded. Parking for museum members is free; nonmembers parking for more than 30 minutes, either to attend class or wait while their student is in class, will pay $8 per vehicle. Cancellations/Transfers/Credits: Students can cancel an enrollment five business days prior to a class or one-time workshop to receive a refund less a $15 cancellation fee per enrollment. Transfers from one class to another can be requested up until five business days prior to a class with a $10 transfer fee. No refunds or transfers will be made for cancellations made less than five business days prior or due to missing a class. We do not issue credits toward future classes or workshops if you cancel an enrollment or miss a class.

816.751.1ART

STUDIO CLASSES & WORKSHOPS ALL AGLOW: LUMINARIES Ages 7–12 with adult 1:30–3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16 $50 per adult-child pair

TOP THE TABLE Ages 6–12 with adult 6:30–8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 $40 per adult-child pair

Look at sculptural forms in the galleries and create a clay luminary. Clay projects to be fired and ready for pick-up Dec. 3.

Create a beautifully patterned table runner working with fabric inks. Visit the galleries to see how artists have created pattern designs on many types of objects.

E Enrollment required for all classes.

Member discounts available! Society of Fellows 30% | Friends of Art 20%.

Giftmaking F OR THE HO L IDAY S

Ages 4–5, 6–8, 9–12 10 a.m.–Noon or 1:30–3:30 p.m. | Saturdays, Nov. 15–Dec. 6 | No class Nov. 29 $90 The most memorable and treasured holiday gifts are those that are handmade! Experience the enjoyment of making gifts in this special three-week session. Both originality and creativity are emphasized. Please note: Students must have turned the minimum age prior to the start date of the class to enroll. Students may only attend the class time in which they enroll. We are unable to accommodate requests to attend class at a different time due to outside scheduling conflicts.

R Reservations T Tickets M Members only

STUDIO CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

SPECIAL WORKSHOPS WITH NATIVE ARTISTS in conjunction with

Robe, Eastern Plains artist; probably Illinois, Mid-Mississippi River Basin (c. 1700–1740). Native tanned leather, pigment, 42 3/8 x 47 7/8 inches. musée du quai Branly, Paris.

FROM THE EARTH Ages 6–12 with adult 6:30–8:30 p.m. | Friday, Nov. 14 $30 per adult-child pair

PAINTING ON HIDE Ages 6–12 with adult 6:30–8:30 p.m. | Friday, Nov. 21 $30 per adult-child pair

Create nature symbols in clay and learn the importance of nature in the Osage belief system with Anita Fields, a member of the Osage Nation. Clay projects to be fired and ready for pick-up Dec. 13.

Chandler Good Strike leads this workshop on the history of hide paintings in Plains Indian culture and will guide participants through the process of creating their own hide painting.

816.751.1ART

STUDIO CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

JUST FOR GRANDPARENTS & GRANDCHILDREN

MEMENTO BOOK

Ages 6–12 with adult 1:30–3:30 p.m. | Sunday, Dec. 7 $40 per adult-child pair Construct a handmade accordion-style book that you can fill with pictures and other souvenirs of special occasions and shared family experiences.

LOOKIN G AHEAD TO WINTER C L ASSES The winter 2015 session of art classes begins January 16 & 17. Class descriptions can be found at nelson-atkins.org starting November 17. Members enroll first, November 17–December 7.

Reserve online:

nelson-atkins.org

E Enrollment required for all classes.

Member discounts available! Society of Fellows 30% | Friends of Art 20%.

exploreart G enera l M useum I nformation ADMISSION to the museum is FREE every day for everyone.

S TAY CONNECTED

Jane L. Aspinwall Associate Curator, Photography

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Paul Benson Objects Conservator

MUSEUM Hours Mon

Closed

Tue Closed Wed

10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Thurs/Fri

10 a.m.–9 p.m.

Sat

10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Sun

10 a.m.–5 p.m.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 Featured Curators, Speakers and Staff

Museum Closed for Holidays Thursday, November 27 Wednesday, December 24 Thursday, December 25 Thursday, January 1

LOCATION & PARKING The museum is located at 45th and Oak streets, three blocks east of the Country Club Plaza. Enter the garage off Oak Street. Charge for parking, FREE for members. VISITORS WITH DISABILITIES The museum and parking garage are wheelchair accessible. SPENCER ART REFERENCE Library Open to the public. Mon Closed Tue By appointment Wed 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Thurs/Fri 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sat/Sun 1–4 p.m.

ROZZELLE COURT RESTAURANT A Kansas City treasure, our Italian-style courtyard is an unparalleled setting. Lunch Wed–Sun, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Desserts & Beverages Wed–Sun, 2–4 p.m. Happy Hour Thurs, 5:30 p.m. | Bloch Lobby Served Dinner & Live Music Fri, 5–10:30 p.m. MUSEUM STORE Shop for books, cards, children’s items and a large variety of gifts, jewelry and home décor. Tax free. Members save 10%. Online store nelson-atkins.org/shop.

Al Chandler Good Strike Native American Artist Michael Cherney Artist Kate Garland Senior Objects Conservator Karin Jones Assistant Curator, Architecture, Design and Decorative Arts Kimberly Masteller Jeanne McCray Beale Curator, South and Southeast Asian Art Laura Taylor Museum Educator The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures Gaylord Torrence Fred and Virginia Merrill Senior Curator of American Indian Art

MEMBERSHIP Enjoy FREE parking, FREE admission to featured exhibitions, discounts in Rozzelle Court Restaurant and the Museum Store and special events just for members. To become a member, for tickets to events, to enroll in classes, or to ask questions about the museum, visit nelson-atkins.org or call 816.751.1ART (1278).

PHOTOGRAPHY Don Ipock (p. 6, 8) Jenny Wheat (p. 9,11,14) Dan Frueh (p. 10) Mark McDonald (back cover)

816.751.1ART

New Member Benefit Members of the Friends of Art Duo level and up are gaining access to a new member benefit! In November you will receive KC Studio Magazine – Kansas City’s guide to the arts and all the great cultural happenings. We are excited to offer this exclusive member benefit to you!

Sunday, December 7 Society of Fellows Holiday Revels (See page 10)

SOF Events Thursday, November 13 Gallery Jam (See page 6)

The museum’s premier membership group offers vital support to the Nelson-Atkins. Fellows will enjoy these special events. See calendar listings for more events.

SOCIET Y of FELLOWS

4525 Oak Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111

(See page 7 for more details)

18 December | Rad Tidings

20 November | Crafting KC

6–9 p.m. | BlocH Lobby

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Kansas City, MO Permit #897