Summit Art began in 2003 as a small group of local artists looking for exhibition opportunities, camaraderie, and professional development in visual art in the local community.
Summit Art began hosting its annual signature event, the Longview Art & World Music Festival, in 2007 in the New Longview area of Lee’s Summit. In 2013, the three-day outdoor weekend festival, now known as Summit Art Festival, moved to downtown Lee’s Summit, and is still located in the center of that bustling entertainment and historical district. The festival has grown to cover three city blocks, with 100 artist booths, a Student Art Pavilion, food trucks, live musical performances and the Stuck On Art live competition.
Their second annual signature event, the Summit Art Plein Air Festival, began in April 2021. This weekend event features artists from all across the Midwest painting “en plein air” (outdoors) on 31-acres of historic property at Crestview Dairy, located at 83rd & Lee’s Summit Road and also in downtown Lee’s Summit for a one-day “Paint Downtown” event. Photography and other fine art are showcased throughout the weekend, in addition to the “Art Show & Sale”, where artworks created during the weekend are judged for awards and are for sale to the public. Food & Beverage trucks provide delicious street fare, Local musicians will also perform live during the weekend. The event this year is June 14-17!
In addition to the Summit Art Gallery at Saint Luke’s East Hospital, the largest fine art gallery in eastern Jackson County, Summit Art took over operation of GOT Art Gallery on Third Street in downtown Lee’s Summit, a brick-and-mortar street-front space, in 2011. GOT Art became the principal corporate office of Summit Art and its base of operations.
Today, Summit Art continues to lead local communities in visual arts engagement, networking, and professional development, with an independent self-perpetuating board of directors and a voting membership of more than 140, including juried artists, students, art educators, general members, and corporate/gallery members.
To learn more about Summit Art, or find information about their events, volunteering or to sign up as a local artist, visit www.summitart.org!