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Mark Allen 🧿

@markallen.ltd

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Expert use of free will. [email protected]
Artist, curator, writer, and realtor @alfordkcrealestate
#endfascism
Pratt MFA ‘26 - Pepperdine ‘13

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WOW! 🤩 We loved seeing Todd Gray: Church and State at @thebrickla as our man on the ground, Mark Allen, explores the art and sights of Los Angeles this week and takes over our Instagram! 🌴🎨📸

Organized by The Brick’s director Hamza Walker, with Hannah Burstein and Storm Bookhard, this extraordinary exhibition brings together five decades of Gray’s photographic practice, from his early career photographing legendary musicians to his monumental contemporary photographic assemblages.

We especially loved discovering Gray’s earlier commercial photography, including his incredible archive of album covers and portraits of music icons like Michael Jackson, Gladys Knight, and The Temptations—which explains our soundtrack choice! 🎶

What makes this exhibition so fascinating is seeing how Gray’s early photographic career informs his contemporary practice. Drawing from his extensive archive, he layers, recontextualizes, and transforms photographs into elaborate sculptural compositions that explore Black identity, colonialism, cultural memory, and the complicated histories of power and representation.

The exhibition’s title, Church and State, references the separation Gray once maintained between his commercial photography and fine art practice—two worlds that have now come together in remarkable ways.

A beautiful reminder that an artist’s past work can become the foundation for an entirely new visual language!

Todd Gray: Church and State
📍 The Brick, Los Angeles
📅 October 18, 2026 – January 16, 2027

Stay tuned as Mark continues exploring LA’s incredible art scene all week! ✨

#ToddGray #TheBrickLA #LosAngelesArt #ContemporaryArt #Photography

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One of the best parties of the year! ✨🌙 Delighted to serve on the host committee for ArtSmash 2026: Moon Age Dreamscape, a Bowie-tastic evening inspired by the mesmerizing work of Barbara Takenaga and her stunning exhibition, Awestruck, at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. 💫🥂

@kempermuseum
@barbaratakenaga

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Wow! We absolutely love Kelly Akashi’s sculptures and were honored to enjoy a private tour with Lisson Gallery director Joel Draper, who offered fascinating insights into her extraordinary practice.

Combining stone, glass, and bronze with remarkable technical skill and sensitivity, Akashi creates deeply symbolic works that explore the beauty, fragility, and impermanence of the natural world. From delicately blown glass flowers to bronze casts of her own hands, her sculptures capture fleeting moments in time, reminding us of the relationship between nature, the body, and mortality.

Central to her practice is the Japanese concept of mono no aware—a wistful awareness of impermanence, or the “pathos of things.” Much like the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms, Akashi’s work reminds us to appreciate the beauty of the present moment, knowing that nothing lasts forever.

A beautiful reminder of why we love living with art! Thank you, Joel, for sharing your knowledge and giving us such a special look into Akashi’s remarkable world. ❤️

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Wow! We absolutely loved getting a sneak peek at Barbara Takenaga: Awestruck during the member preview at the beautiful Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art! ✨🎨

What a treat to experience this incredible exhibition spanning 25 years of Takenaga’s mesmerizing abstract paintings—and even more wonderful to have the opportunity to chat with Barbara herself about her work, creative process, and the intricate worlds she creates. Her paintings are truly captivating, drawing you into cosmic landscapes, dazzling patterns, and seemingly infinite spaces.

Of course, it’s always a joy to celebrate the Kemper and all that this incredible institution brings to Kansas City’s arts community! We’re especially excited as we count down to next weekend’s fabulous ArtSmash Gala: Moon Age Dreamscape, inspired by Takenaga’s work! 🌙✨

Be sure to visit Awestruck, opening to the public October 9 and on view through April 11, 2027. It’s an exhibition you won’t want to miss!
#KemperMuseum #BarbaraTakenaga #Awestruck #KansasCityArt #livingwithart

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They say it’s the people that make the place and we couldn’t agree more. Precious Frivolities started as a dream and creative vision from Aprilmaddenstudio — a place where artists, designers and creatives could sell their work in a community focused, curated shop — championing the unique, the handmade, and the one-of-a-kind. It’s the kind of place that brings the joie de vivre.

Our short-term lease is coming to a close at the end of September and we are celebrating with one last soirée! This is your last chance to experience Precious Frivolities at 1712 Main Street. Toast to our next chapter with us! 🥂

I’M PRECIOUS — A Grand Finale
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Doors open at 6pm
Performance art takes place at 6:30 | 7:30 | 8:30
1712 Main Street, Kansas City, MO

RSVP Requested | Tickets: $20 (includes entrance to the event & one complimentary drink)
http://preciousfrivolities.com/grandfinale or 💗LINK IN BIO 💗

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Today’s epic home tour in KCK!

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We loved the soul music and electrifying energy of FLUTIENASTINESS AND THE SOUL PATROL so much that they are back again for our Grand Finale on September 26. Get to know the talented lineup of musicians: @flutienastiness, @ddotprofessor, @Shecansing1908, @matt.robertson. Do you have your tix yet? You won’t want to miss this evening of LIVE MUSIC • PERFORMANCE ART & FASHION • DRINKS • SOCIALIZING • AND SUPPORTING YOUR CREATIVE COMMUNITY!

I’M PRECIOUS — A Grand Finale
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Doors open at 6pm
Performance art takes place at 6:30 | 7:30 | 8:30
1712 Main Street, Kansas City, MO, 64108

RSVP Requested | Tickets: $20 (includes entrance to the event & one complimentary drink) preciousfrivolities.com/grandfinale or 💗LINK IN BIO 💗

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Wow, we loved experiencing Farm Fest and supporting BoysGrow! 🌱🌾

BoysGrow is an incredible Kansas City nonprofit mentoring young men through agricultural entrepreneurship, giving youth hands-on experience in farming, culinary arts, construction, marketing, public speaking, and more—often providing them with their very first paid job. (BoysGrow)

Farm Fest was such a fun way to experience their mission firsthand while bringing the community together for local food, drinks, makers, and plenty of activities!

We ate our way through an amazing lineup of food vendors:
Q39
Deez Nachos
Baked By Bobbi
Hank’s Garage
Catholic Charities Serve & Lift Market
Thelma’s Kitchen

We also loved checking out the local artisan vendors:
Smooth September
Someday Sunday
Luna Creations
Yum Yum Ceramics
KC Food Hub
Amy Lynn Creations

And there was SO much to do throughout the farm:
🏹 Archery
🎣 Fishing
🎶 DJ
🔎 Scavenger Hunt
🎨 Face Painting
🐂 Mechanical Bull
🌱 Exploring the BoysGrow farm
…and more!

Such a great afternoon celebrating local food, local makers, community, and—most importantly—the young men who make BoysGrow what it is. We loved getting to see the farm in action and support an organization investing directly in the next generation of Kansas City!

Already looking forward to the next Farm Fest! 🌾🍴💚

@boysgrow

#BoysGrow #FarmFestKC #KansasCity #SupportLocalKC #KCLocal

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It’s been an art-full weekend. It’s good to be back in KC and engaging with my art family again 💗💗

Thursday was the closing reception for “Anthology of light” curated by @thebeanstalkprinter across two floors of the @hok_kc architecture firm. I was honored to be showing with an amazing line up of artists.

Artist talks @preciousfrivolities

Three art openings at Haw Contemporary Friday night.
Loved hearing @lisajogrossman painting process.

@davinwatne is an in person must see in person exhibit.

@kcaialumni has engaging art programing all weekend!

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🍷Thank you, @brooksidekansascity community for coming out to the Sip n Shop Thursday! We have SO much fun with you all. Literal happy dances 💃🏻🪩 Let’s keep those vibes going all weekend long 🌻

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We had such a fun time at the Brookside Sip & Shop, visiting our friends at Maison Design + Build! With wine pairings by @winewelltraveled and a delicious charcuterie board from Cru, the restaurant next door, it was the perfect evening to mingle, meet new people, and spend some time exploring the beautiful shop.

We also popped next door to Shop Local KC to pick up a few Kansas City–themed gifts and say hello. We love evenings like this that bring together great design, food, friends, and local businesses. Thanks to everyone who made the Brookside Sip & Shop such a wonderful night! 🥂✨
@winewelltraveled @crukansascity @maisonbyalexandra @markallen.ltd @shoplocalkansascity

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Mark Alford Jr. and Alexandra had a great time celebrating designKC’s 5-Year Anniversary and 2026 Fall Reveal at the Warners’ Stellian Appliance showroom in Leawood!

We loved the live band, delicious catering, and of course, the bar! It was such a fun evening meeting new people, catching up with familiar faces in the design industry, and exploring the showroom. We especially enjoyed seeing all the latest appliances—and some of the incredible deals they have going on right now!

Thank you to designKC and Warners’ Stellian for hosting such a wonderful evening. We’re so happy we could be a part of the celebration, and cheers to five years of designKC! 🥂✨

@designkc_magazine @warnersstellian @maisonbyalexandra @markallen.ltd

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