Thanks to a generous contribution from AT&T, Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s (JCPRD) Public Art Program is thrilled to announce the 2024 continuation of the popular Poster Project, which began in 2023. Posters feature JCPRD parks, trails, and facilities using the iconic and majestic style used by Work Progress Administration (WPA) artists in the 1930s. JCPRD is excited to announce that the parks to be featured in 2024 are Antioch Park, Mill Creek Streamway Park, Ernie Miller Park, and Stilwell Community Park.

The Poster Project is part of a Public Art Program JCPRD launched in 2019 to activate parks, trails, and facilities in a new way. AT&T was one of the earliest supporters of JCPRD’s Public Art Program, providing funding in 2021 for “Gateway,” the iconic sunflower archway at Meadowbrook Park. The $13,000 contribution for the 2024 Poster Project was secured through The Parks and Recreation Foundation of Johnson County.

“Art enriches our lives. And public art that features our spectacular parks enriches our communities, which is why we’re supporting JCPRD’s Public Art Program,” said Laine Raitinger, area manager for AT&T External Affairs in Kansas.

In 2023, four local artists were selected and assigned to illustrate a specific feature or attribute from the following parks: Big Bull Creek, Cedar Niles, Lexington Lake, and Shawnee Mission. The successful artists were chosen by an Art Selection Committee and received a $2,500 stipend. The posters were revealed at a special event, which showcased the talented Kansas City region artists in an interactive Q&A session and are now displayed at multiple locations throughout the District. More information about this project and the selected artists can be found at JCPRD Poster Project | Johnson County Park & Rec, KS. Artists who are interested in applying to create future poster art can expect a Call for Artists in late February 2024.

“We hope these designs leave our community inspired to go and explore these and all of the beautiful park spaces that make up JCPRD,” said Superintendent of Culture Susan Mong. “Each poster highlights a beautiful element of each park. I really love the process each artist went through to develop their vision and determine what feature, perspective, or unique element they wanted to focus on. The artists spent time with park staff and a lot of time in their assigned park before finalizing their design.”

The Parks and Recreation Foundation of Johnson County plays a crucial role in the fulfillment of JCPRD’s Public Art Program through the procurement of grants and donations. The foundation continues to seek support for future projects through corporate and private funding. Those interested in supporting this program should contact Foundation Director Kelly Blandford by email [email protected] or by phone at 913-826-3448.

Johnson County Park and Recreation District has been enhancing the lives of the citizens of Johnson County for the past 60+ years through its parks, quality of programs, professionalism, and response to developing trends. The district's contributions to the personal lives of Johnson County's citizens have earned the district local appreciation and national acclaim. Each year, the district records nearly 10 million park visitors and participants across its 10,000 acres of parkland, 136 miles of trails, and more than 4,000 programs.