OLD Art Now Showing

Introducing the Artists and Poets

Jim Ware- artist

Jim is a Rockhurst University graduate with a degree in Mathematics and completed his Fine Art undergraduate studies at UMKC. Jim has given live demonstrations with the local art associations, taught classes at the Got Art Gallery on Third in Lee’s Summit, been juried into many art shows, ap-peared on magazine covers, and has been seen on local television stations.

Heather Benoit- artist

Heather Inez Benoit began her artistic journey early on in childhood and that journey continues today through the many diverse media she has mastered; dance, photography, metal crafting, painting and jewelry de-sign. This journey includes her spiritual development as she is a licensed massage therapist, Reiki practitioner and mindfulness coach.

Ivey Zoellers- artist

I have been using this current body of work to explore movement and challenging myself to capture the freedom and adaptable nature of birds. I have found studying the diversity of colors, shapes, avian social con-structs and folklore to be a source of inspiration as I try to relearn how to find joy in painting and how to spread this joy to others.

Mary Maude- artist

Each of my ceramic bowls were created as part of my spiritual practice. Some have meaningful words while others have a balancing design. It’s quite possible you will feel one of these bowls “belongs” to you. Trust your heart. These bowls have taught me to trust mine.

Jeniffer Hutchins- artist

Jeniffer Hutchins is an artist and founding minister of Unity Arts Ministry, a non-profit organization dedicated to spiritual enrichment and creative expression. She enjoys working with a variety of artistic media. Her im-pressionistic works have been showcased in several galleries from the East to West coasts and she has had the opportunity to participate in solo, group and juried exhibitions.

Erlene EC Flowers- artist

My involvements in art are – creating, designing, organizing, exhibiting and teaching. I did graduate studies in art and art history at Universidad de Mexico and taught in high school and college. I participate in Plein Air painting with the Missouri Valley Impressionist Society (MVIS) and paint across Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Iowa. I love researching historical pieces.

Michael Phelps- artist

Michael’s artist career is relatively new. It started four years ago when he took a Zentangle class at Unity Village bookstore. He started drawing with the tangle patterns and found how calming it was to draw while he prayed with people. He discovered that he could stay in the Christ Mind better when he was working from the creative part of the brain and not the chatty monkey mind.

Jenny Hahn- artist

Artist and workshop facilitator Jenny Hahn captures the inward journey through bold, colorful expression. She exhibits her vibrant acrylic paint-ings nationally and out of her studio in the Bauer Machine Works building in Kansas City’s Crossroads arts district. As co-founder of Creative Nectar Studio, Jenny facilitates workshops helping people rediscover their whole-ness using painting as a tool for mindfulness and self-discovery.

Barb Byrne- artist

I have been fusing glass since 2010, initially creating jewelry and small functional glass pieces, then expanding into more complex projects. I create art panels and animal portraits using glass powders and enamels and design abstract pieces using various glass components. I have taken a few classes to hone my skills, but I am mainly self-taught. Working with glass is often a time-consuming process, but I love watching my designs slowly emerge as I take each step toward the final creation.

Paul F McMillian- artist

Master Photographer - Photographic Craftsman, PPA Fuji Master Piece Awards Kodak Gallery Awards Best of Shows - Peoples Choice Awards Raytown Artist Association Invitational Art Show 2017 First Place and Honorable Mention Black/White Photography Speaker, Educator, Portfolio Reviews I like to think of myself as an adventurer, a visionary artist, an image mak-er, story teller, and photo journalistic illustrator.

Ben Neal- poet

Ben Neal is a father, poet, musician, speaker and writer from Kansas City, MO. His writings have been published in the Elephant Journal, the Daily Word, Unity magazine, and many more. He is also a co-founder of Building Bridges KC, Explorers of the Heart: Lee's Summit Men's Council, and the Mystic Poets Society.

Bob Savino- poet

I'm a mystical poet and visionary artist. In my early thirties I experienced a profound mystical epiphany which changed my life forever. Since then, I've followed my own individual vision quest. All my poetry and art bears witness to, and celebrates, this ever-unfolding spiritual awakening.
I was a co-founder of Prospero's Pit Open Mic, and am currently a member of K.C.'s Mystic Poets Society. I've published five books of poems, the latest being Cosmic Consciousness: Songs of an Ecstatic Soul.

Paul Goldman- poet

Paul Goldman is an author and poet who breathes life into truth. Paul’s creative affirmation is: “I create an awakened joyful planet by living…loving…breathing and speaking my truth.”
Paul just released his fourth poetry collection, the chapbook, Shades Of Darkness Open The Blinds, a Spoken Word CD Wild Joy Released: The Ecstatic Poetry of Paul Goldman (2010), plus the collections Wild Joy: Ruminations (2010), Journey Into Oneness (2011) and Upon Your Canvas (2015).

Keith Wilson- poet

During a challenging period in his life, Keith began writing poetry again in order to express and make sense of the painful emotional landscape he was navigating. He began reading some of the great mystic poets and found Hafiz especially to be an inspiration as he followed his own person-al path of awakening. He finds his daily writing practice to be cathartic and healing. He is deeply interested in the power of words to evoke emo-tion and uncover truth that resonates with the soul through poetry.