KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- Mike Ning, nationally-renowned jazz pianist and adjunct music instructor at Kansas City Kansas Community College, kicks-off the first ever “Artist’s Series” at the newly launched “The Gallery.”
“The Gallery,” which is located in what was previously known as the Private Dining Room in Lower Jewell on the KCKCC campus, opened in early May. Pieces of fine art have been donated to KCKCC over the years and have been stored in the closets of the Intercultural Center. “The Gallery” now offers a venue to display some of this art and is open for students, faculty, staff and community members to come view it.
Ning will host an artist’s reception from 3 to 6 p.m. Sept. 25 at KCKCC’s “The Gallery,” 7250 State Ave., where he will play piano and speak about his work.
Many Kansas City residents know Ning for his five-decade career as a jazz pianist, but few know he is a schooled artist who worked for years at Hallmark Cards, Inc. Ning studied art at the University of New Mexico after emigrating from China in the 1950s.
His show, “Celebration of Life! Coming to America /Goin’ to Kansas City!” is open from Sept. 22 through Oct. 3, and is a retrospective of his 50 years in Kansas City. The works encompass a variety of styles and include two- and three-dimensional pieces.
In addition to the artist reception, Ning, and his brothers Jimmy Ning and Jack Ning, will host a discussion from noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 29 at the KCKCC Intercultural Center. Jimmy Ning is an actor best known for his role as “Chow” in the award-winning cable series “Breaking Bad.” The discussion, exhibit and reception are free to the public.
For more information about “The Gallery” or about the Artist Series, call 913-288-7504.
