The Lawrence Arts Center was proud to partner with Dillons Food Stores to coordinate the commission of a site specific mural by local artist Kent Smith for the new store at 2205 Iowa Street – The Crossing@KU.
Kent Smith was selected from the an applicant pool of a dozen local artists by a committee of Dillons representatives and community art professionals. The mural will be prominently displayed in the new store opening October 17 and celebrates the unique, unmistakable identity of Lawrence, Kansas.
” I love to celebrate unexpected connections in my artwork. The Grocery Store serves as a magical hub, or node, connecting the many paths and people within our community and it is certainly worthy of celebration. I hope the artwork will create smiles and joy during an everyday occurrence like picking up milk and eggs.”
– Kent Smith
All are invited to celebrate the opening of the new store and the dedication of the mural on Friday morning, October 17!
Dillons at The Crossing@KU
2205 Iowa Street, Lawerence KS 66046
• 7:00 AM: Ribbon cutting with Big Jay and KU Band
• 8:00 AM: Community celebration with remarks and mural dedication
• 10:00 AM: Community food drive with Just Food and KU’s Campus Cupboard
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Kent Smith (Smitty) is a dimension-jumping illustrator, designer, sculptor, teacher, problem-maker, problem-solver, and magic-man sharing grand visions from afar. His work can be found on Star Wars toys, Free State beer labels, custom masks, huge woodblocks prints, giant festival sculptures and tiny trading cards. Smitty uses his crazy brainpowers and a menagerie of media to solve problems and deliver creative, unexpected, solutions that are rich in play and story. Kent also celebrates teaching in the Design Department at the University of Kansas, and frequently works with community organizations such as the Lawrence Arts Center, Van Go and The Percolator.