Presenting: Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art
Crossroads gallery celebrates 25th anniversary.
Photograph by Pam Taylor.
Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art, a mainstay of Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The gallery’s endurance as a champion of fine work by local, national, and international artists has everything to do with director Sherry Leedy.
Her experience, knowledge, and ability to forge strong relationships with clients and artists is the foundation of Leedy’s solid reputation as an art professional. “If one is seriously involved in art, not just merchandising it, then they have to be knowledgeable,” says Leedy. “Before I ran a gallery, I was first an artist. I majored in painting during college at the Kansas City Art Institute and graduate school at the University of Kansas. Being an artist has given me an insight and understanding that is unique in the gallery business.”
She exhibits and sells contemporary art in an old building given new life. Located at 20th Street and Baltimore, the 1880s warehouse was renovated in 1999 using concrete, steel, and glass that allow natural light to spill into the impressive gallery. Unsurprisingly, contemporary artwork such as Jerry Kunkel's oil painting FAQ brightens the space around Sherry Leedy’s desk.
It’s a significant achievement that her gallery has been in business for a quarter of a century. That’s a third of the lifespan of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, a major arts institution that celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. Over the years, Leedy has seen the demand for art wax and wane.
“The gallery business has been suffering with the economic downturn of the past year and many galleries have closed their doors,” she says. As Leedy sits at her desk, a necklace sporting a black bird against a field of red offers a flash of color in contrast to her stylish black dress. “Fortunately, this year we are beginning to see signs that economy and the art market are improving. I am optimistic about the future. In the best of times and the worst, artists continue to make great art and people who value it begin and continue to collect.”
Even when faced with running a for-profit art space during an economic slowdown, Leedy still relishes her role. She says, “I have the best job in the world. I get to live and talk art and work everyday with my daughter, Jennifer Bowerman, who is assistant director of the gallery.”
Leedy’s role as director extends beyond the walls of her gallery. “I am involved in community building for all aspects of art in the city where I live,” she says. “I work with and am supportive of all the other workers in art who toil, more for love than money, in the museums, schools, and theatres of our community and our country. As a gallery director, I am on the front lines of building the collector base for today and tomorrow and a support system for artists.”
Sherry Leedy is a professional in all she does and has given me the opportunity to have the experience of an exhibition in her beautiful gallery. ––Philomene Bennett, artist
Sherry is very generous and trusting with her artists. She gives me the space and freedom to work out my very messy studio practice into a coherent show. As a curator, she is direct, right on, and a benefit to work with. Compared with any gallery in any city, her eye and approach to exhibition rank evenly. I sincerely hope she has another good 25 years. It’s a benefit to everyone who enters the gallery. ––Jesse Small, artist
Champion of Artists
Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art is first and foremost a nexus where the interests of artists and art collectors meet. To that end, her gallery provides exposure for artists and an opportunity for the public to experience fine art. The gallery hosts exhibitions in Kansas City and nationally by participating in international art fairs.
Leedy assists artists in creating a market for their work. She works with, and represents the work of, a notable roster of artists from across the country including Jun Kaneko, Cindy Kane, Judy Miller, Jesse Small, Michael Schultz, Larry Thomas, and Marcus Cain. Representation is a key component of the artist-gallery relationship. Leedy points to two artists that have worked with the gallery over different periods of time.
“We have worked with artist Jun Kaneko since the gallery first opened. Although Kaneko’s importance as an artist is well established, he continues to challenge himself with new projects (the stage and costume design for three operas) and to grow creatively,” says Leedy. “He and his artwork seem to be made of the same DNA and working with him has been a great joy and amazing journey."
In 2007, The City of Kansas City awarded Jun Kaneko his largest public commission to date as part of the 1% for Art for the Bartle Hall convention center expansion. The diagonally striped terrace that he designed is the site for seven of his monumental ceramic sculptures and a 24' painting is located inside.
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