37th Art Annual, Friday May 5th thru Sunday, May 7th, 2023!
The Art Annual will celebrate its 37th year May 5-7, 2023. We hope you will join us to celebrate one of the KC metro's largest annual attractions right here in Brookside. Located in an eclectic neighborhood in the center of Kansas City, Brookside is just minutes from downtown, the Plaza and the southern suburbs. The Brookside Art Annual is the first major art show of the year and draws thousands of people from across the region. The focus of the show is on ART! This community loves art shows and it consistently ranks in the top 25 shows according to Art Source. Art Source quote "This is a very pleasant, national caliber event attracting an affluent, enthusiastic and knowledgeable clientele."
CLICK HERE for a listing of artists showing in 2023 and other up to date Art Annual details at BrooksideArtAnnual.com
The Brookside Art Annual is hosted each year by the Brookside Business Association (BBA). The BBA is a non-profit organization of merchants working to promote and improve the community in the heart of Kansas City. Dominated by quaint neighborhoods, the Brookside neighborhood becomes the center of the Midwest art community each May. The Brookside Art Annual is known for its festive atmosphere, hospitality, and convenience, and has become a must-attend event for artists and art seekers alike.
The show is located at 63rd and Brookside Boulevard (one block east of Wornall) between 63rd Street and Meyer Boulevard. The annual show included children's activities, including face painting, arts and crafts, balloon animals and more. We're grateful that so many visitors also enjoyed some of the best Brookside had to offer at our Art Annual food booths - local restaurants served up a variety of delicious food and drink options ranging from savory burgers to street tacos, kettle corn to ice cream, and wine to fresh-squeezed lemonade. There was something for everyone!
More Art Annual Info
2023 Art Annual Show Hours:
Friday, May 5th, 5pm - 9pm
Saturday, May 6th, 10am - 9pm
Sunday, May 7th, 11am - 5pm
Children's Activities:
The show includes children's activities all weekend long. Starting Friday night the kiddos can have their face painted, and request their favorite balloon art for a nominal fee. The fun continues Saturday and Sunday with more face painting and balloons, and free arts and crafts hosted by Cosentino's Price Chopper, and featuring APLOMB Martial Arts, Fancy Faces and Petunia the Clown. Come join the fun north of the tennis courts in Brookside Court Park, and just steps away from the information booth at 63rd and Brookside Plaza.
The Culinary Arts:
While you’re at the Art Annual we encourage you to take a break and enjoy some of the best food Brookside has to offer at our Art Annual food booths - local restaurants serve up a variety of delicious food, drink, and dessert options. From favorites like burgers and fries to vegetarian offerings like falafel, adult beverages to fresh-squeezed lemonade, and ice cream to kettle corn, no matter what your tastes, there’s something for everyone! Food booths are open during show hours and generally take cash or credit card, but see booths for details. Need cash - see our list of local banks and ATMs below.
Art Annual Commemorative Items
Visit the information booth near the corner of 63rd and Brookside Plaza (near Starbucks) or the merchandise booth near the intersection of 63rd and Brookside Blvd. Shirts, hats, posters and note cards are available with the 2023 featured artwork by Jason Brueck. Shirts are $20, hoodies are $40, hats are $20, note cards are $10, and posters are $5. Jason will be on site in booth #52 to sign 2023 Brookside Art Annual posters. Limited quantities of commemorative items from past shows will also be available including posters, cards and shirts. Quantities are limited so grab them while you can. Unless sold out, items are available during Art Annual hours.
Volunteer at the Art Annual
The Art Annual is a top KC attraction and takes a lot of volunteers to operate. If you’ve spoken with anyone who has volunteered in the past, you’ll hear about how much fun the show is and how volunteering is a great way to meet and connect with others while helping out. We’d love to have you join us for 2023. During the show, volunteers help us make the artists and patrons feel welcome, make sure everything runs smoothly, and help ensure we have a first-class experience. As a thank you, volunteers receive a commemorative Art Annual shirt. Interested? Email staff@brooksideKC.org or call 816-523-5553. Limited spaces are available.
Restrooms & Hand Washing:
Portable restrooms and handwashing stations are located at the north (63rd Street) and south (Meyer Blvd) ends of the show. Accessible restrooms are located at the north (63rd Street) end of the show, next to the bus stop.
Banks & ATMs:
Brookside is home to three major banks, all with ATMs.
- Bank Midwest, 6249 Brookside Blvd (63rd and Brookside Blvd)
- Commerce Bank, 6336 Brookside Plaza (Meyer and Brookside Plz)
- BOK Financial, 7 W 62nd Ter (62nd Ter and Main)
ATMs are also available at the following:
- Cosentino's Market in Brookside, 14 W 62nd Terr
- Cosentino's Price Chopper, 6327 Brookside Plaza
- CVS Pharmacy, 6244 Brookside Blvd
Mail & Shipping:
Purchased art but aren’t sure how to get it home safely, or what to send it to someone special. No worries. Brookside has plenty of options to mail or ship your new treasures.
- Country Club Post Office, 108 W 63rd St
- Mail Pkgs Etc., 6300 Main St
- The UPS Store, 6320 Brookside Plz
Framing & Matting Services:
Need your new artwork framed before you take it home? Do it in Brookside. Many artists carry unframed works and prints, and the Brookside Art Annual also sells commemorative show posters and cards suitable for framing. Good news – Brookside can help prepare your art for display at home or work.
- Brookside Gallery and Framing, 114 W 63rd St
- a store named STUFF, 316 W 63rd St
Other resources in the Brookside Shops:
Need anything else while you’re at the show? Brookside likely has what you need. From wrapping paper to gift cards, and sunglasses to organic sunscreen, you’ll likely to find just what you need while you’re visiting Brookside. Looking for something? Use the following links for a directory of businesses by category.
Explore Brookside:
The historic Brookside Shops are a favorite Kansas City destination, a star of the greater Brookside area, and home to many unique and wonderful shops, restaurants and services. Be sure to stroll through the shops while you're in Brookside. From children's clothing and toys, hand-made candles, the latest fashion, personal care products and services, to your everyday needs from the pharmacy, grocery store or hardware store, you can find almost anything in the Brookside Shops. A diamond in the city for over 100 years, the historic Brookside shops have served the community since 1919. Hundreds of business owners have started their dreams in Brookside and served thousands of customers with a friendly smile and the kind of customer service only a neighbor can provide. The boundaries of the Brookside CID are Wornall Road to the west, Main Street to the east, 62nd Terrace to the north, and Meyer Blvd to the south. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Thank you to our 2023 Supporting Sponsors!
Questions about the Art Annual? Visit BrooksideArtAnnual.com, E-mail brooksideartannualkc@gmail.com or call the Brookside Business Association at 816-523-5553.