4 minute read
INFOCUS
DISCOVER LIGHT &
COMMUNITY AT PHARE
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WRITTEN BY JUDY GOPPERT PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA LEVI
Phare is the amazing vision of Samantha Levi, who invites others to discover light and community. She runs her photography business and healing arts studio during the week and rents the iconic locale to the community for private events and workshops on weekends and evenings. “It has windows that shine from all four directions, shining light on all of Kansas City to guide one home—Kansas City’s very own lighthouse!” she smiles.
The word phare means lighthouse or beacon in French, which pays homage to the historic Luzier Cosmetic building in which it resides, as well as Levi’s affinity for French culture. She provides a sacred space for yoga, events, and artistic gatherings.
Phare is a curated destination for intimate gatherings, bringing together all of the elements, healing practitioners, and vendors in Kansas City. Phare is a space to house a collective of curated options. Imagine a bridal shower that starts with cacao blessings for the future bride then leads into group acupuncture for true community healing and ends with a flower arrangement service and henna. The creative abilities in this space are endless with 3,000 square feet of space!
“I’m taking all my experiences from the last 20 years and partnering with the top innovators here in Kansas City to create a true healing arts destination for divine gatherings. The alignment of this sacred space came to me not out of luck, but alignment,” she reiterates. “I’ve always listened to my intuition and gut. They guide me.”
She had been driving by the site for five years when she visited her friend Jessica at Hand and Land, who told her about their new space. She inquired what was upstairs, toured the space, and paid the lease three weeks later, knowing the space was much more than a photography studio.
Pictured: Samantha Levi
Falling in Love with a Passion
Levi specializes in personal branding,
editorial, and fashion lifestyle photography. With over 20 years of professional experience, she paved the way as a leading female in her industry. Her first photography job was doing interior photography and virtual tours for some of the top hotel brands in the country. When she moved back to Kansas City and had her son, Auguste, she assisted her son’s dad in building his salon business.
“I then taught myself hair and makeup. In 2010 there weren’t a lot of artists, so it was easier for me to teach myself,” she explains. For the next two years she worked for fashion events, which landed her a job doing hair, makeup, and styling for a Boyz II Men Wendy’s commercial.
“Although I was good at that, I wasn’t in love with it, and that’s really important,” says Levi. Being on set and getting a glimpse at the commercial and advertising world firsthand gave her a new perspective. It was this type of photography that energized her. Over the last eight years in advertising and branding photography, she has photographed everything from Wendy’s cheeseburgers to rappers like Tech N9ne.
This Month’s Events
Levi announced they will have two ongoing events during December, including Community Sunset Breathwork
December 2021 classes include Wokeshop Wednesdays, Yoga Brain KC, and Quantum Manifestation Workshop.
every Tuesday at 7 pm with Melissa Saubers (melissasaubers.com).
Yoga Brain KC is doing a December fundraiser for yoga teacher training scholarships. Phare and Yoga Brain will be hosting donation-based classes every Thursday in December 5:30-7 pm. Classes are all levels and newcomers are encouraged to join.
Phare also just launched Wokeshop Wednesdays, which give the opportunity to join around the community table to learn, listen, and elevate into the highest version of ourselves.
And there’s more! The Quantum Manifestation Workshop is Dec. 8, 6-8:30 pm. Open your heart, drop into your body, and manifest some magic from the Quantum Field (ticket link at melissasaubers.com).
Phare is a sacred space formed on the ability to connect illuminated innovators through education and community. “Phare has taken on new life as I have grown and taken on new life,” Levi muses. “What we think we want is not actually what we need, and what we think will happen is not always how it turns out. We must embrace the mystery of the unknown—the now.”
Reiki master Lauren Gonzales of Moon Body Spirit agrees. “Phare is more than an event space. It is a sacred space filled with beautiful, healing energy. As a lightworker, this is exactly what I look for. Samantha has infused this space with a healing grid of protection.”
Phare • 3216 Gillham Plaza, Suite 250, Kansas City, MO • 785.550.2824 • thatsphare.com • @thatspharekc SIMPLYkc Special: Mention this SIMPLYkc article and get 10% off hosting an event in 2022
