Testimonials 
Christina Vantzou, Fall & Winter 2008
I began screen printing at the Arts Incubator in Kansas City in the early days following the opening of the INKubator PRESS in August 2008. In fact I was the first Inkubator member to pull a screen print in the newly opened studio. When I first entered the space I knew immediately it would be a good place to work. It took me awhile to fully grasp the size of the Incubator as a whole and all of its components—wood shop, print studio, individual artist studios, offices, computer lab—but the coziness of the building could not have been more welcoming. I came to the Arts Incubator to create a series of limited edition screen prints. Living abroad, I have visited a range of print facilities over the years and it is unique to find such a vast, well-equipped, and affordable open studio to work in.
The INKubator press offers membership and studio time on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. This flexibility suited my needs perfectly as I had several weeks to print my editions and quite a few designs prepared. As I worked on my project, I found I had good advice when I needed it and help when I asked for it, but otherwise I was allowed to work independently and given the freedom to execute the prints at my own pace. When I had some free time to explore the building and the surrounding neighborhood, I found myself in the center of an interesting community of local artists, galleries, artist run boutiques and restaurants plus cafés, yoga studios, and just around the corner the renowned Hammerpress letterpress studio. I was already familiar with the vicinity having been born and schooled in Kansas City but the Crossroads became what it now is in the years since I have departed. I find the neighborhood quite unique–almost surreal– compared to artist communities in city centers of other places I have lived & visited. The Crossroads’ location, easy access, easy parking, ample space, friendliness, community feel and laid back attitude sets the neighborhood apart from any place else I’ve seen.
Upon entering the Arts Incubator I found the atmosphere paralleled the world outside: easygoing, spacious, ample storage and friendliness all around. In the weeks spent printing I met other artists in the building working in a variety of mediums; there was an unspoken sense of mutual respect and security of personal belongings in the building. And most importantly I enjoyed a sense of privacy. This I appreciated greatly as I was able to enjoy privacy with a simultaneous sense of community within this shared artists’ space. I was able to focus on my own work without interruption, think clearly, feel stimulation from the creative atmosphere and from working in a new environment, and therefore make the most of my time. I leave knowing I will return one day and also wish there was an Arts Incubator in every city.
