Northeast Kansas City Murals

2018

Missouri’s Latinx population has grown incrementally within the last few decades, subsequently transforming the state’s culture, society, and urban landscape. Kansas City’s Historic Northeast is one of these changing communities. The Northeast is the city’s second oldest residential neighborhood and has a rich history as a beacon for immigrant communities. Due to rapid rates of immigration into the area, a once Italian American neighborhood has recently transitioned into a hub for Latinx and other immigrants.

These murals, located at 2627 Independence Avenue, highlight themes and images that reflect the nature of the neighborhood and tell the stories and struggles of immigrants coming to the United States. The monarch butterflies, often associated with immigration, represent change, joy, and color. The murals also feature numerous People of Color to illustrate the multicultural demographics of the area. The murals were painted in 2018 and are part of a collaboration of local artists including: Hector Cassanova, Meredith Lucius, Jack Mied, and Isaac Tapia. The murals in the Northeast reflect a burgeoning immigrant community that is gaining traction and like the monarchs in the mural, bring a much-needed change to Kansas City and the state of Missouri.