Behind the Mise En Scène | Vanessa Lacy

Vanessa Lacy is a painter and owner of her namesake gallery in historic Livestock Exchange Building in the West Bottoms.

Her landmark-themed paintings adorn corporate offices and private homes here and across the country. But she also uses her gallery to help foster a thriving artistic community.

“I am at my highest purpose in life when I’m spreading paint across a surface and I’m not worrying about anything else,” she says. “Being an artist is a labor or love, and it’s not like you’re going to make a million dollars most of the time…The real value in being a part of the Kansas City arts community is its people.” 

To see more of her terrific work, both as an artist and gallery owner, watch the attached video.

Flatland is proud to share “Behind the Mise En Scene,” a profile series that puts artists in the Kansas City area, their creative process and their inspiration – which ranges from history to identity – into frame. We are launching this series to shine a light on underrepresented artists. Only 11 percent of artwork in art museums is made by women. And nearly 80 percent of art in galleries are by white artists.