Summer 2026

Marble & Canvas

Shop Local

Nestled inside the Kansas City Art Institute’s storied Vanderslice Hall, Marble & Canvas showcases a selection of beautiful art crafted by alumni, faculty, and students.

Words
Gloria Gale

Photos
Ash Story, KCAI

Designer
The York & Co.
@theyorkandco_kc

 

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estled inside the Kansas City Art Institute’s storied Vanderslice Hall, Marble & Canvas showcases a selection of beautiful art crafted by alumni, faculty, and students.

“It’s a destination retail experience where talent shines, giving professional artists and students alike an opportunity for recognition,” says Gabriel York, lead interior designer and owner of The York & Co.

The shop’s name traces back to Howard Vanderslice, the philanthropist and art patron who envisioned the Institute as a legacy for students and professionals. Today, KCAI is renowned for an immersive studio arts curriculum that supports its formidable institutional reputation.

“It is my hope that this school may aid succeeding generations of our young people to realize the ideals of their souls and return to this city, in the forms of great marble and great canvases, the inspiration it has given them.”

—Howard Vanderslice, 1928

While KCAI’s annual student shows are highly anticipated events where patrons purchase work straight from the kiln or easel, Marble & Canvas offers a more permanent solution.

A highly curated mix of artwork comes to life against deep green-gray walls, which provide a rich backdrop for an evolving collection of prints and paintings.
Gabriel York approached the design of this compact, 900-square-foot space with confidence and clarity. The result is a thoughtfully composed environment showcasing both two- and three-dimensional works that invite exploration. With a rotating selection of art, there is always something new to discover.
Retail director Shelly Cascio highlights a standout piece by senior student Haven Lee: a modern, expertly handcrafted bookcase that also features the artist’s own distinctive light fixtures.
It’s not often that you find retail art within a prestigious art school, but Marble & Canvas redefines the concept. Its inventory brims with handmade work by students and alumni—from wearable fiber pieces to handcrafted ceramics and eye-catching jewelry. For those seeking something beyond mass-produced decor, this shop inside Vanderslice Hall on the KCAI campus offers a truly distinctive experience.
A sense of curiosity defines the space, where old and new are intentionally juxtaposed. Marble & Canvas blends vintage elements with contemporary student work, creating layered vignettes that draw visitors in and blur the boundaries between past and present.
Fiber art takes on new dimensions in this imaginative setting. No longer limited to traditional stitchery, the medium expands into inventive expressions—chairs, pillows, mannequins, and more—each reflecting the maker’s unique vision.
For students, the opportunity to showcase their work here is invaluable, elevating both visibility and confidence. From tabletops to window displays, each piece invites consideration for a special place at home.
KCAI’s ceramics program has long held a reputation for excellence, attracting students nationwide. Built on the legacy of influential artists such as Cary Esser, Ken Ferguson, and Victor Babu, the department continues to thrive—offering beautifully crafted, accessible pieces for everyday use.

Dr. Peggy Shannon, Nerman Family President, notes, “With the opening of Marble & Canvas, we are strengthening our alumni network and arts community by offering art for sale year-round.”

Located within Vanderslice Hall—a three-story, 1895 Flemish Queen Anne mansion—the shop serves as a 900-square-foot intersection of beauty and creativity. The interior, cloaked in a sultry, deep wash of color, provides a tantalizing backdrop for a cadre of art-inspired goods. This initiative offers the community at large the opportunity to discover unique ceramics, prints, textiles, jewelry, and home decor.

The boutique was brought to life by KCAI design students in partnership with Gabriel York. The two interns of note, Haven Lee and LouLu Walton, are both set to graduate with the skills necessary to launch their professional careers.

Lee designed and created the shop’s built-in bookcase, along with several featured lighting fixtures. Lee credits his growth to the KCAI community: “The people here have done more than I could ask for to support my growth as an artist. I feel not only prepared, but grateful to enter a field I am passionate about.”

Similarly, Walton focused on her major—product design—crafting the shop’s credenza and designing a movable structural wall. “The institute has allowed me to explore my passions,” she says, “guiding me toward interests I might not have discovered otherwise.”

Welcome to the Material World

Marble & Canvas goes beyond the mundane; everything is curated with flair. “It’s a highly stylized environment,” York says.

Original architectural details, including the historic wood floors and windows, surround a diverse selection of artwork.

The collection features sterling silver wearables and home decor by metal smith Robyn Nichols (Design, 1979), hand-painted wall coverings by Kelly Porter (Printmaking, 1997), and Angelica Sandoval’s (Design, 2021) fanciful illuminated porcelain globes. A dedicated niche even holds a painting by the late, revered professor Lester Goldman.

This collaboration and collection will directly support school scholarships, providing a vital boost to KCAI’s creative talent and contributing to Kansas City’s expanding, art-forward culture.

 

Marble & Canvas

Vanderslice Hall
4415 Warwick Blvd.
Kansas City, MO

Check online for hours.
@marbleandcanvas
kcai.edu/marbleandcanvas

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