About the Artwork

Kansas City Spirit: Memory and Resilience is a public artwork coming to the newly reimagined Barney Allis Plaza in the heart of downtown Kansas City, Missouri, opening in early 2027. Created by Belgian artist duo Gijs Van Vaerenbergh, its open steel framework traces the perimeter of the plaza, evoking the façade of the original Convention Hall as it lives in memory: present, enduring, and a testament to this city and its people. Currently being fabricated in Kansas City, it will become an iconic landmark for the city and generations to come.

Kansas City is a city defined by resilience. In 1899, the newly built Convention Hall opened as a bold statement of civic ambition, only to be destroyed by fire less than a year later, just three months before it was set to host the Democratic National Convention. The community responded with remarkable determination, rebuilding the hall in just 90 days. That feat, achieved on the original site of what is now Barney Allis Plaza, became an enduring symbol of the Kansas City Spirit, a mindset rooted in perseverance, civic pride, and collective action that has been woven into the identity of the city ever since. It is this defining story that inspired the artists in their work.

It is that spirit that Gijs Van Vaerenbergh has set out to honor. Artists Pieterjan Gijs and Arnout Van Vaerenbergh are internationally recognised for works that dissolve the boundaries between art and architecture, transforming the way people experience the spaces around them. Their practice, rooted in transparency, silhouette, and spatial perception, creates works that invite curiosity and exploration. Developed with Petrichor Projects as the curatorial consultant, they have reimagined the façade of the original Convention Hall as a soaring steel framework, its form evoking the presence of a structural memory of the building and the spirit it represented.

Selection Process

Petrichor Projects, in collaboration with Kansas City’s Public Art Administrator, oversaw the artist selection process. Applications for the RFQ were accepted from February 17 – March 28, 2025; the application process has closed. Submissions were evaluated by a Shortlist Panel composed of museum professionals, art curators, and public art experts. Shortlisted artists received a proposal fee to develop and submit a concept proposal. The final decision was made by a committee that includes stakeholders and community members.

Information Sessions

Artists interested in learning more about the RFQ were invited to attend an Information Session, where representatives from Petrichor Projects and the City of Kansas City’s public art administrator provided an overview of the project and answered questions. On Monday, March 3, 2025, one in-person Information Session was held at the Crossroads Hotel, and one Information Session was held virtually.

 Office Hours

As part of Petrichor Projects’ commitment to community engagement, Office Hours is a program designed to connect artists with public art opportunities at Barney Allis Plaza and beyond. Led by Founding Director Tiffany Meesha Thompson, these free one-on-one mentoring sessions provided guidance and support to artists as they navigate the submission process. Office Hour sessions have passed and were held over three days at the following locations in Kansas City: Zhou B Art Center, Charlotte Street, and the Line Creek Community Center.