The Parade of Hearts is a public art installation from March-May 2022 with 154 hearts created by local artists are on display throughout the Kansas City region. I have been trying to check out the hearts whenever I am near one and so far I’ve been able to see 9 of them. There is an app and you can scan each heart you see and check in, so the app keeps a list of the ones you’ve already seen. You can also make a wishlist of the ones you still want to visit! There are two pictures of each because the fronts and backs are different!
The first heart I visited is called Paw-A-Dice. It was created by 7 and 9 year old sisters Jade and London Jiskra. It includes find and seek art where you can find balls of yarn and bones. How cute! It is in the Rosedale area of Kansas City, KS.
Next up was Grateful, in Mission, KS. This heart is about water and gratitude and was made by Daniel Bartle.
On a day I was early for school pick up, I visited Bubbly, located in Leawood, KS. It is a painting of downtown Kansas City in shades of blue, with bubbles to depict the town in a positive and peaceful light. This was made by Jasmine Key.
When Dave and I stopped by the Price Chopper store in Leawood, KS, I saw there was a heart out front! This one is called Sunny Days and the artist, Jenny Meyer-McCall, says it stands for unity, strength, encouragement, and success.
When Simon and I went to the zoo, we saw the Endangered Species of Kansas City heart by Miranda Pietzsch. This heart showcases endangered or threatened plant and animal species from Kansas and Missouri.
Simon also came with me to check out the We Love Our Kansas City Chiefs heart in front of Rally House in Overland Park, KS. This is probably the closest one to where we live! It is by Jeanette Parsons.
When we were in Kansas City, MO, we were able to visit the following three hearts. The first is located in front of the World War I memorial, which made for a great picture! This one is called Hope Blooms and it was made by Ada Koch. She says she included a white hand on one side and a brown hand on the other to show the different cultures and backgrounds in the community.
In front of Union Station is Home by Tracy Kapperman. It features the Kansas City skyline.
Also right by Union Station is Culture and Time are Non-Linear by Chico Sierra. This one doesn’t have info on the app, but it looks like it’s about jazz! There was a family there and I took a picture for them, so they took one of me and Simon!
We have been having fun visiting these hearts and if we have time in May, we will check out more! Which one do you like best?
