From illustrating a mural at the KC Zoo to developing life-like silicone burns for training at Children’s Mercy, KCAI students are having an impact on our community through Sponsored Studio and Micro Agency. Area businesses are benefiting from the fresh creative approach students bring to projects and in turn, students are receiving real-life experience working with clients.
School of Economics at UMB
When elementary school students visit the School of Economics at UMB in downtown KCMO, they’ll learn business and financial skills in colorful storefronts and cityscapes designed by KCAI students. The challenge was to come up with designs that would set the stage for financial learning, and bring sense of fun to the audience of fourth through sixth graders. The final result is a lively, vibrant environment perfect for learning business basics.
Stingray Bay at the Kansas City Zoo
Two of Kansas City’s great institutions – the Zoo and KCAI – teamed up to create an exhibit called Stingray Bay at the Kansas City Zoo. Visitors experience the gigantic 13' x 45' tropical-colored mural that spans the entire back wall of the new touch tank for stingrays and catsharks. The Caribbean-inspired underwater scene was designed by Vaughn Parish, (‘19 Illustration).
Humana Veteran Reflection
A new exhibition developed through a partnership with Humana and created by Illustration students gives insight into the social isolation and loneliness experienced by many veterans. The exhibition, which will travel throughout the US, uses paintings and short audio clips to tell the stories of 14 Kansas City area veterans.
Events by Elle Wedding Dresses
Events by Elle, a Kansas City planning and design boutique, asked nine Fiber students to use re-purposed materials to create wedding gowns and the results are both amazingly artistic and eclectic. From a Nigerian inspired wedding dress with a feather collar to a bustier romper and clear acrylic coat, these gowns rethink wedding attire conventions.
Children's Mercy Hospital Medical Illustrations
Students were asked to make illustrations to explain medical procedures to illiterate and non-English speaking patients. They are an important tool to help patients understand everything from blood draws to surgeries and provide solutions for communication that goes beyond language and cultural barriers.
Find out more at sponsoredstudio@kcai.edu.
