Mark Allen 🧿

Tribeca Gallery Night was a blast! We met up with so many amazing friends and hit the ground running, checking out some great art during NYC Spring Art Week. With our crew: @damianlair @maryannstrandell @jthugut @hanmcdonald2 we bopped around Tribeca, starting with stunning new paintings by Julie Mehretu. We went back to say hi to @kbernhardt2014 at @canada.nyc and see her amazing, large, vibrant paintings again, then popped over to @anatebgi to see @ryan__driscoll and @janetrosewerner , and to say hi to our friend @adrigautreaux , our new friend @stefanodpaola , and his cute dog Guinness. Later, we met up with @elise_gagliardi and @sam__haan and checked out an incredible solo presentation by @kim_bo915 , who makes powerful sculptures from recycled bicycle tires. Lastly, we stopped by @nightgallery viewing room for a great display of their artists, a little pizza party, and got to see our new friend @thebottleopener too! A very successful night of arting out!

So stoked to see our friend @kbernhardt2014 new show Peanut Butter and Jelly that just opened at @canada.nyc in Tribeca, her first solo exhibition in NYC in four years! Last year @damianlair and I got the chance to visit her St. Louis studio while she was working on many of these paintings, unique still lifes pulled from her epic 80s style modern home, filled with works by other artists in her collection and personal objects woven into the compositions. Even a Bottega Veneta perfume bottle gifted by Damian made it into one of the paintings, as did the winter amaryllis I brought her back in January. It was so cool seeing her process up close. Katherine begins by spray painting loose outlines in vibrant neon colors, then lays the canvases flat on the table where she works with heavily watered acrylic paint that drizzles and pools together in these energetic, almost accidental compositions. The canvases are so massive she even uses a specially extended brush just to reach the center. Seeing the works in person after watching them develop in the studio feels especially surreal. Come by tonight for the opening, going to be such a fun one!

What a whirlwind that NY Spring Art week always becomes, filled with nonstop energy, reunions, and incredible art around every corner. Yesterday, well… Flat Toma made the rounds through the VIP preview of @friezenewyork at The Shed in Hudson Yards, and the atmosphere was absolutely buzzing. It was so great seeing familiar faces from across the art world while also discovering fresh new works and exciting presentations throughout the fair. There’s always something special about the way New York transforms during fair week, the entire city starts to feel like one giant exhibition. From there, we headed onward to @newartdealers , one of our favorite fairs to visit year after year. We’ve always loved the spirit of NADA in Miami, and seeing that same adventurous energy translated into New York makes it such an exciting addition to the week. The fair continues to champion emerging voices and risk-taking work in a way that feels refreshing and necessary amidst the larger fair landscape. One of the highlights was getting to see our Kansas City friends at @gallerybogart presenting work by @youngbauhaus , and we were so excited to catch up and spend time with the work in person. Moments like that are what make fair week so meaningful, supporting friends, reconnecting with the community, and discovering artists pushing things in exciting directions. As an art advisor and proud member of @the_apaa - we love visiting the fairs and getting a pulse on what’s new and exciting in the primary art market. We’re just getting started and ready to hit even more fairs this week. Let us know what exhibitions, booths, or artists you’re most excited to see, and thanks for coming along for the ride with us. Shoutout @markallen.ltd for the reel !

“You should be down in Hollywood…” ✨ Loved spending time with my hybrid high brow, low brow, new and vintage fashion girlie Marie @grandchicchi who ventured into the LA art fairs with me. We explored the Felix Art Fair at the iconic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and did a little photoshoot around the property with my nearly 100 year old Rolleiflex medium format camera loaded with Kodak Portra 400 film. Marie styled the day perfectly with an original @veronicasheaffer jacket, cute Gucci purse, sunnies, layered jewelry, and a mix of other accoutrements I’ll let her tag because I forgot the full lineup ✨ It was so fun taking photographs in front of the Hendrick’s motorcycle installation and around the legendary Roosevelt pool, whose bottom was famously painted by David Hockney, one of my forever California painter favs. There’s something magical about mixing old Hollywood atmosphere, contemporary art fairs, vintage film cameras, fashion, and friendship all in one afternoon. Enjoy these fashion pics, always inspired by Marie and her absolute zest for life, style, and fun 💫

Kansas City Art Community! Vulpes Bastille urgently needs your help. LINK IN BIO. Vulpes Bastille studio and art gallery was created to ensure there was a place for aspiring artist and recent art graduates to create and display their work. We have managed to modestly keep the doors open for several years, but now the doors themselves have deteriorated. We need to replace the doors to our 100-year-old building that houses 12 artist studios and 2 gallery spaces. Age and damage make it necessary to replace the doors. The 16 foot non-insulated industrial back garage door has worn beyond repair. The resulting leaks have caused massive losses in heating & cooling. Rising utility bills have strapped this artist run space financially. The heavy wooden front entrance door is worn, saggy and difficult to even open. Replacement of these doors will save Vulpes Bastille hundreds in future utility cost. Additionally, the upgrade will improve safety of the entire building, providing a fire exit in the back and adding another accessible entrance. Our goal is to raise $20,000 to help cover the cost of the needed building improvements, 100% of the funds raised will go directly t. Read oo the building infrastructure. Ensuring the future longevity of Vulpes Bastille and its commitment to serving artists in the East Crossroads Arts District. Please consider donating to our Vulpes Bastille Artist Building Project. Everyone who donates will be recognized for your contribution to the KC Arts Community.

Our favorite man about town @damianlair and our boots on the ground in NYC, @markallen.ltd , got to visit the Whitney Biennial for us. It’s always such a fun once every two year exhibition, full of new artists we’re seeing for the first time alongside artists we already love, like Raven Halfmoon showing up in full force. The Whitney Museum of American Art @whitneymuseum , as an American art museum, is unparalleled in its profound impact on our country’s art world, and we love seeing all the work speak together in such a bold and expansive way. Be sure to check out the exhibition when you’re in NYC, it’s open through August and certainly a must see.

Food Dynasty, 2026. Kodak Portra 400 shot on Rolleiflex. Dimensions variable , approx 40x40 inches . Mark Allen.

We had so much fun at the KC Ballet Soirée with our friend @maisonbyalexandra : this Great Gatsby inspired evening brought the Roaring Twenties to life, and everyone looked fabulous in their flapper best. It was such a joy to dance alongside the ballet dancers themselves and be part of such a lively, immersive celebration. We loved seeing Swan Lake last year, and now we cannot wait to experience Kansas City Ballet’s dazzling new production of The Great Gatsby at the Kauffman Center, May 8 through 17. As a longtime favorite book of mine, it makes this production feel even more exciting. Even better, the night supports a meaningful cause. Proceeds from Soirée benefit Kansas City Ballet’s Reach Out And Dance program, which brings free dance education to nearly 1,000 third and fourth graders across Kansas City each year. A beautiful night out for a beautiful mission. #KCBallet #TheGreatGatsby #KansasCityBallet #MaisonByAlexandra

My MFA thesis presentation, Inundations, just concluded, and I’m incredibly grateful to all my friends, cohort, professors, and mentors who supported me through this process. In The Great Deluge, I presented a range of photographic works installed sculpturally in an immersive environment, emulating the overwhelming volume of media we create and consume through our screens. The work spans my ongoing investigation into photographic processes, from centuries-old tintype techniques to AI-generated and datamoshed video, and everything in between. I also exhibited two Infinity Scrolls, memes adhered to treadmill pads and mounted on the wall, echoing the endless motion of digital consumption. Alongside this, I shared my monograph of black-and-white double exposures documenting road trips across the continental United States. Looking forward to future iterations of this work, and I hope you enjoy the documentation.

Margaritas + sunset = the perfect open house 🍹🌅 We just listed 27 Beach Drive on Lake Tapawingo, and what better way to celebrate than an evening open house with margaritas in hand as the sun melts into the water. Truly one of the most magical times on the lake, and we couldn’t have asked for better weather. We mixed up some delicious margaritas with Mean Mule Gold, a local favorite, and welcomed a great group of friends and prospective buyers to experience the home. The space is beautifully staged and shows exactly how special lake living can be. Come see this incredible lake house for yourself, text Mark to schedule a private showing: 816-739-1375.

Some properties offer a place to live. This one offers a way of life. Nestled on the shores of Lake Tapawingo, Cabin Tapawingo is a rare lakefront sanctuary where sweeping 180-degree water views, effortless entertaining, and the timeless charm of an A-frame retreat come together in perfect harmony. From front-row Fourth of July fireworks to peaceful mornings with sunlight dancing across the water, this home is built around unforgettable moments. A Home Built for Gathering With 4 bedrooms, 2 additional flex sleeping spaces, and multiple generous living areas, there’s room for everyone. A fully self-contained mother-in-law suite with its own kitchen and living space offers the perfect balance of togetherness and privacy for guests or extended stays. A Primary Suite That Redefines Waking Up Enjoy panoramic lake views every morning from the comfort of your primary suite, complete with ample closet space and a stunning 180-degree vista year-round. Entertain on Every Level The walk-out lower level features a full bar, restroom, and direct lake access, creating seamless indoor-outdoor living. Outside, your private dock with an upper tanning deck is made for long summer days on the water. Move-In Ready, Timeless Character Freshly restained siding and decking enhance the home’s classic lake cabin charm. With a two-car garage, parking for 4+ vehicles, and just 22 minutes to downtown Kansas City via I-70, you get the best of both worlds. The Opportunity True lakefront homes like this are rare. Cabin Tapawingo is more than a home, it’s a legacy property and a place to gather for years to come. Your lake life starts here.

We are so proud of Mark Allen, who has been working with us as our Social Media Director for the past 2+ years, and all that he has accomplished with the opening of his MFA thesis exhibition at Pratt Institute. . In The Great Deluge, a large-scale installation, Mark presents a dynamic range of photographic and image-based work, including tintypes, cyanotypes, darkroom prints, datamosh videos, AI-generated imagery, large-scale inkjet prints, and even a jacquard photo tapestry. Together, these works reflect the overwhelming flood of images we encounter daily, and consider how photography has become a ubiquitous mode of creation. . We especially love his “infinity scroll” treadmills, sculptural works that emulate the endless motion of the phone screen, continuously cycling through his own images alongside memes and internet references, layered with his signature expressionistic painterly approach. . Alongside the installation, Mark also presents a self-published book of black and white photography and video stills, further expanding his exploration of circulation, repetition, and image culture. . We truly cannot keep up with him, as he simultaneously completes his Master’s in Art History at Lindenwood University. We are so excited to see where his career takes him, definitely an artist and curator to watch! . If you are in NYC, be sure to check out the exhibition and join the artist talk and walkthrough this Saturday while the show is still on view. And be sure to give him a follow @markallen.ltd . Install images courtesy @de.la.ossa