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Laura Spencer

News and Arts Reporter

Laura Spencer caught the radio bug more than a decade ago when she was asked to read a newscast on the air on her first day volunteering for KOOP, the community radio station in Austin, Texas. 

After moving home to Kansas City, she learned the fine art of editing reel-to-reel tape as an intern and graduate assistant with the nationally syndicated literary program New Letters on the Air. Since 2001, she's focused her efforts on writing and producing feature stories as KCUR's Arts Reporter. 

In 2011, Laura was one of 21 journalists selected for USC Annenberg’s seventh National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Arts Journalism Institute in Theater and Musical Theater. She's received awards from the Associated Press, Kansas City Art Institute (Excellence in Visual Art and Education), Kansas City Association of Black Journalists, Missouri Broadcasters Association, Radio-Television News Directors Association (regional Edward R. Murrow Award) and Society for Professional Journalists. 

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Architecture
3:44 pm
Wed December 12, 2012

Donaldson House Slated For Demolition

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Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
The site of the former Donaldson House, February 2013.
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The historic Donaldson House in Kansas City, Mo. is slated for demolition on December 19. It's something that's been in the works for at least a decade.

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Architecture
5:00 am
Thu December 6, 2012

City Hall At 75

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Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
City Hall peeps through an opening in a parking garage across the street. More than 7,800 tons of stone was used to build it making the structure the fourth tallest city hall in the world.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
A shadow passes in front of a facade designed by the brothers Thomas Wight and William Wight.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Afternoon shadows bring out detail in the facade.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
A winged horse decorates the front lawn.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
A stone relief of pioneers.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
A statue of Abraham Lincoln and his son Tad sits on the front steps of City Hall.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
City Hall's windows are reflected in the Jackson County Courthouse across the street.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
The 29-story Beaux-Arts skyscraper was built in 1937 during the Pendergast era.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
George Washington greets visitors in the lobby.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Like a sundial, City Hall casts a broad shadow visible from the observation deck.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
The Power and Light District is in clear view from the 29th floor.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
An equestrian statue of General Andrew Jackson looms in front of the Jackson County Courthouse.
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City Hall in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, turns 75 this year. It’s one of several city landmarks, including the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, designed by the architecture firm, Wight and Wight.

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Classical
10:46 pm
Wed December 5, 2012

Kansas City Gets The Grammys Nod

Kansas City Symphony Music Director Michael Stern and mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato. Concertmaster Noah Geller, pictured at far left.
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The 2013 Grammy nominations are out - and two nominees are based in Kansas City.

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Visual Arts
10:28 am
Thu November 29, 2012

KCAI In Legal Wrangling Over Unpaid Pledge

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Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Lawrence and Kristina Dodge Painting Building at the Kansas City Art Institute.
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Dedication of the Lawrence and Kristina Dodge Painting Building, Kansas City Art Institute, August 2006.
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The Kansas City Art Institute is taking a southern California couple to court. The issue is stirring up a lot of controversy and national -- and international -- attention.

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Visual Arts
5:00 am
Tue November 20, 2012

Bronze Installation Inspired By Idea: 'Look Up, Look Down, Look All Around'

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Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Michael Wickerson's nine-panel bronze installation is near the front entrance at the South Branch Library in Kansas City, Kan.
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Michael Wickerson, associate professor and chair of sculpture at KCAI, stands in front of three bronze panels.
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
There are six panels with vertical stacks of books "towering to the sky."
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
A middle panel designed by Wickerson provides the perspective of looking down. It includes objects personal to Wickerson, like his grandfather's right-angle tool.
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Imagery on this middle panel "anticipates things going up." It was designed by KCAI student Keyan Alemifar.
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Wickeson describes this middle panel as "later in life, reflecting on things you know, like the golden mean." This imagery was conceived by KCAI student Lizzy Olson.
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At the new South Branch Library in the Argentine district in Kansas City, Kan., nine 700-lb. bronze panels flank the entrance, some with images of vertical stacks of library books.

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Visual Arts
5:00 am
Fri November 16, 2012

Terry Evans: Revealing The Secrets Of The Prairie

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Credit Terry Evans / Courtesy: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Bison at Maxwell Game Preserve, Roxbury, Kansas
Credit Terry Evans / Courtesy: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Cardinals
Credit Terry Evans / Courtesy: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Sam at Sunrise
Credit Terry Evans / Courtesy: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Train north of Matfield Green
Credit Terry Evans / Courtesy: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Konza Prairie
Credit Terry Evans / Courtesy: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
CNA building, downtown Chicago
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It’s fitting that the first career retrospective for photographer Terry Evans takes place in her hometown of Kansas City, Mo., at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, a place where she took art classes as a child.

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Visual Arts
12:46 pm
Thu November 15, 2012

Charlotte Street's David Hughes Announces Transition Plans

Credit courtesy: Charlotte Street Foundation
Charlotte Street Foundation founder David Hughes
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Charlotte Street Foundation founder David Hughes announced today he would be stepping down as Co-Director in mid-2013, after the selection of a new Executive Director.

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Visual Arts
11:15 am
Mon November 5, 2012

Controversy In A Sculpture Garden

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Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
"Accept or Reject" by artist Yu Chang.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
"Accept or Reject" by artist Yu Chang.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
"Jazz II" by artist Tom Corbin.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
"Legend of Echra" by artist James LeGrande of the Kansas City Art Institute.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
"Jazz I" by artist Tom Corbin.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
"Jazz I" by artist Tom Corbin.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
"Stream/Creek" by artist Lu Zhengkang.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
"Stream/Creek" by artist Lu Zhengkang.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
"The Same Generation" by artist Pan Fen.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
"Breeze" by artist Zhong Zhiyuan.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
"The President and the Empress" by artist Kwan Wu.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
"The President and the Empress" by artist Kwan Wu.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
"Michael Jackson " by artist Lu Zhengkang.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
"Children with their Door Keys" by artist Yu Chang.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
"The Chinese Pioneer in the US" by artist Yang Xuejun.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
"East West—the Same Man" by artist Kwan Wu.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Visitors view "East West—the Same Man" by artist Kwan Wu.
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The 300-acre Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens garnered national attention in recent months over a bronze statue titled "Accept or Reject." The work, by Chinese artist Yu Chang, depicts a headless, bare-breasted woman holding a camera, pointing it at herself.

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Performance
5:35 am
Fri November 2, 2012

Projecting Emotion In The Lyric Opera Of Kansas City's 'Il Trovatore'

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Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Under a full moon, Kirk Eichelberger, as Ferrando, tells the story of a Gypsy woman burned at the stake many years ago.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Michele Capalbo, as Leonora, shields Rafael Davila, as Manrico, from attack by the Count di Luna.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Just as Rafael Davila, Manrico, prepares to kill Roman Burdenko, Count di Luna, Manrico is held back by a mysterious power.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Nancy Maultsby, as Azucena, explains to Rafael Davila, as Manrico, that, although she has raised him, she is not his mother.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
The Count di Luna prepares to kidnap Leonora.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
The Count di Luna pursues Leonora.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Rafael Davila, as Manrico, prevents Roman Burdenko, as Count di Luna, from kidnapping Leonora.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Nancy Maultsby, as Azucena, is recognized and captured. The army prepares to torture her and burn her at the stake.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
After Manrico is captured while trying to rescue Azucena, Michele Capalbo, as Leonora, pleads with Roman Burdenko, as Count di Luna. When the Count does not relent, she offers herself to him.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Imprisoned, Nancy Maultsby, as Azucena, and Rafael Davila, as Manrico, remember happier times.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Michele Capalbo, as Leonora, begs Rafael Davila, as Manrico, to flee the prison.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Michele Capalbo, as Leonora, confesses to Rafael Davila, as Manrico, that she has secured his freedom by promising herself to the Count. But she has poisoned herself to remain true to him.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
An anguished Roman Burdenko, as Count di Luna, discovers from Azucena that he has unknowingly executed his brother.
Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR
Nancy Maultsby, as Azucena, has triumphed over the Count di Luna.
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When it comes to the plot of Giuseppe Verdi's opera Il Trovatore - which revolves around a love triangle, murder, and revenge - audiences are advised to suspend their disbelief and enjoy the music.

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Visual Arts
6:00 pm
Thu October 25, 2012

With A New Name, The Toy & Miniature Museum Looks Ahead

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Credit cottonridge/Flickr
The museum is housed in a 1911 mansion.
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Museum educator Laura Taylor stands next to one of the smallest works in the collection, a micro-curiosity.
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
A pair of dressed fleas, dried and dressed and placed in a landscape.
Credit Missouri Division of Tourism/Flickr
Credit Missouri Division of Tourism/Flickr
Credit Missouri Division of Tourism/Flickr
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Thirty years ago, the Toy & Miniature Museum of Kansas City opened its doors, with a display of dollhouses, toys, and miniatures mostly collected by two Kansas City women.

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Visual Arts
9:05 am
Thu October 18, 2012

Political Power Of Imagery

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Credit Gift of the artist, 2006.0102 / Spencer Museum of Art
Larry Schwarm, "Dwight Eisenhower, 34th President of the United States," 2002. chromogenic color print
Credit Gift of the artist, 2006.0109 / Spencer Museum of Art
Larry Schwarm, "Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States," 2002. chromogenic color print
Credit Gift of Esquire, Inc., 1980.0507 / Spencer Museum of Art
Carl Fischer, "Jean Genet, William Burroughs, Terry Southern, John Sack--Democratic Convention, Chicago," 1968. gelatin silver print
Credit Gift of the artist, 2000.0133.e / Spencer Museum of Art
Joseph S. Lewis, "Citizen!," 1999. color monotype, collagraph, relief
Credit Lawrence Lithography Workshop Archive, 2005.0048
Archie Scott Gobber,"Doers," 2004. color lithograph
Credit Museum purchase: Peter T. Bohan Art Acquisition Fund, 1984.0151 / Spencer Museum of Art
Arthur S. Siegel, "Right of Assembly," 1939. gelatin silver print
Credit Museum purchase, 1971.0010 / Spencer Museum of Art
Lewis Wickes Hine, "Young Girl in Textile Factory," 1910. gelatin silver print
Credit Museum purchase, 1974.0044 / Spencer Museum of Art
Thomas Nast, "New York Victory (The Part of the Administration that Feels Very Much Indorsed)," late 1800s. ink on paper
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What images best convey the meaning of politics in America? An exhibition at the Spencer Museum of Art in Lawrence explores this idea through photography, prints, paintings, archival political ads, and a poodle skirt. 

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Visual Arts
3:11 pm
Thu October 11, 2012

Artist Don Reitz, Art As Discovery At The Belger Arts Center

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Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
A collaborative work, incorporating images from Reitz's niece, Sara.
Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR
Reitz delved into his own childhood: a neighborhood girl doing a headstand on her bike, a young Don showing off and breaking his collarbone.
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The Belger Arts Center often displays works from its own extensive collection, sometimes adding pieces borrowed from other collectors.

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Business & Tech
10:04 am
Thu October 11, 2012

Sprint Nextel Confirms Acquisition Talks

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Overland Park-based Sprint Nextel has confirmed that Softbank Corp., which owns a large mobile carrier in Japan, is in talks to purchase a commanding stake in Sprint.

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Performance
8:13 pm
Thu October 4, 2012

UMKC Dancers Take The Stage At The Kauffman Center

Credit courtesy of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Muriel Kauffman Theatre at the Kauffman Center.
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It’s been a year since the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce released its "Big 5" list with ideas and priorities for the region.

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Visual Arts
5:00 am
Thu October 4, 2012

Boxcar Installation Transforms Downtown Rooftop

Credit courtesy of el dorado, inc.
Architectural rendering of "Prairie Logic."
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A landscaped roof at 12th and Walnut, in the Power & Light District of downtown Kansas City, is now an art space and community focal point with the addition of a new sculpture called “Prairie Logic."

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