Board Member, Harold Smith, hosts an Artist Talk with KCAC’s former Exhibitions Coordinator and current contributor to FORUM magazine, Addison Parrish.
Meet the People Behind the Kansas City Artists Coalition
KCAC wouldn’t exist without the people who make it run — a passionate team of staff and board members who are artists, thinkers, and advocates for creativity. Together, we keep the organization humming, support local talent, and help our community experience art in fresh and exciting ways.
Per our bylaws, at least one-third of our board are practicing artists, ensuring that the voices of creators are at the heart of every decision. Together, we bring exhibitions, programs, and opportunities to life — all while supporting a vibrant arts community in Kansas City and beyond.
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Courtney Wasson believes in the power of art to transform communities. As KCAC’s Executive Director, she champions local artists, connects people through creativity, and steers the organization toward a vibrant future. With a background in arts administration and a passion for building relationships, Courtney blends strategic vision with a hands-on, approachable leadership style. She’s committed to keeping KCAC artist-led, community-focused, and full of opportunities for creative exchange.
Email: courtney@kansascityartistscoalition.org
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Babs O'Halloran oversees curation, operations, and programs at KCAC, where she builds spaces for creativity to thrive and champions inclusivity in the arts. She holds a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute and previously worked with KCAI's I.D.E.A.S. Council and as a Durwood Intern at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Alongside her work at KCAC, Babs is a practicing artist showing locally and nationally. A printmaker by training, she brings a sharp eye for detail and a sustained commitment to empowering voices—her own and others'. Her practice sparks dialogue on themes of identity and representation, positioning her as a distinct voice in contemporary conversations around embodiment and belonging.
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Thayer Bray is the kind of artist who can’t be pinned to just one medium—he’s a sculptor, printmaker, bookbinder, papermaker, drawer, and installation creator, all rolled into one. Born and raised in the Kansas City area, Thayer earned his BFA in printmaking from the University of Kansas and his MBA from UMKC. His decade at Lawrence Lithography Workshop sharpened his technical expertise, and he’s exhibited across the U.S., including several solo shows right here at KCAC. Thayer is also the founder of Greenhouse Print Space in the West Bottoms and runs Red Shorts Bindery, a small press and bookbinding imprint. Whether he’s curating exhibitions like Read the Room or helping KCAC artists shine, Thayer is all about creating connections between art, artists, and audiences.
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I am a Client Success professional who is passionate about people and process. I am always looking to apply the knowledge I've gained from that experience to drive process efficiencies and growth. Along the way, I have particularly enjoyed training and developing relationships with people in order to help them realize their potential and achieve their goals.
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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President – Greg Turcotte
Vice President - Adrienne Maples
Secretary – Philo Northrup
Treasurer – Patti Moore
AT LARGE
Anthony Burnside
Elaine Buss
Erin Dziedzic
Kate Mead
Kevin Mellon
Laura Nugent
Luciana Santiago-Lewis
Lee Smalter
Kevin Townsend
Group picture from the 2024 KCAC Board Retreat at the La Budde Special Collections at the University of Missouri Kansas City Campus, which houses KCAC’s archive. Laura Nugent, Lee Smalter, Kelly Qandil, Philo Northrup, Courtney Wasson, Harold Smith, Adrienne Maples, Greg Turcotte, and Lorece Chanelle.