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.

lauras@kcur.org

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People

9:14 pm

Thu December 20, 2012

One Man's Walkabout In Kansas

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Credit courtesy of Henry Fortunato

Kansas City Public Library's Henry Fortunato starts his walk in Overland Park, Kan.

Credit courtesy of Henry Fortunato

Fortunato doesn't camp on his walkabouts. He stays in hotels, motels or bed and breakfasts, like this farmhouse.

Credit courtesy of Henry Fortunato

He says walking allows him to "see the changes in the land" and "study things up close."

Credit courtesy of Henry Fortunato

Some trails lead to unexpected water crossings.

Credit courtesy of Henry Fortunato

Fortunato says Kansas has a "subtle beauty."

Credit courtesy of Henry Fortunato

A view of the open road. For Fortunato, "there is tremendous satisfaction in locomotion over long distances."

Credit courtesy of Henry Fortunato

Some roads are gravel, and some are paved.

Credit courtesy of Henry Fortunato

Some trails don't continue as expected.

By Laura Spencer

In recent years, urban planners have renewed their focus on creating walkable communities. Walking is the most basic mode of transportation – and yet, in the Kansas City metropolitan area, it’s not as common as in other parts of the country.

Weather

9:25 am

Thu December 20, 2012

KCMO Snow Plow Crews At The Ready

Credit Photo courtesy of MoDot

Towplow speeds snow removal. Brine treatment precedes plowing,

By Laura Spencer

The Kansas City metropolitan area started gearing up yesterday for the season's first winter storm. One to three inches of snow was forecast for the area overnight.

Headlines

6:30 am

Thu December 20, 2012

Top Of The Morning News: December 20, 2012

Credit National Weather Service

By Laura Spencer

The KC metro area experienced its first winter storm. Missouri Senators weighed in on legislation to curb gun violence. Kansas tied for last when it comes to public health preparedness. Those stories & more from KCUR.

Weather

11:40 am

Wed December 19, 2012

School Closings, Road Info: The First Winter Storm Of The Season

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Credit Bill Anderson / KCUR

Credit Bill Anderson / KCUR

Cars off I-70 during the work commute Thursday morning.

By Emilie Mutert and Laura Spencer

The Kansas City metro area experienced its first winter storm overnight Wednesday. Strong winds contributed to whiteout conditions for the morning rush hour. Dozens of schools are closed Thursday including Blue Valley, Kansas City, Kan., Kansas City Public Schools, Lawrence, and Shawnee Mission.

Visual Arts

12:41 pm

Fri December 14, 2012

Juilliard's President On Downtown Arts Campus: 'Go For It'

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Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR

Jason Klumb, a Regional Administrator with GSA, speaks to Steve Rinne, of EDCKC, at the 2012 Downtown Council Annual Luncheon held in the Grand Ballroom of the KC Convention Center.

Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR

Crowds gather in the exhibition area before the 2012 Downtown Council Annual Luncheon.

Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR

Peter Witte, Dean, UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance speaks to Jon Copaken, of Copaken Brooks.

Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR

Barbara Lutman, Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations at UMKC, speaks to Linda Kuang with Shen Yun, a Chinese dance and music troupe.

Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR

Denise Rendina, of the National World War I Museum speaks to Kerrie Tyndall, of the City Manager's office.

Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR

Through the windshield of the Kansas City Crossroads Arts District information bus, Jeff Owens, creative entrepreneur and winner of a 2012 Urban Heroes Award, speaks to Emily Lodigensky, a local photographer.

Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR

Lindsay Borum, of the Farm to Market Bread Company, hands out samples and business cards.

Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR

John Martellaro, Director of Media Relations at UMKC, speaks to Sara Vogt, Marketing and Communications Manager, of the Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City.

Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR

Jennifer Wampler, Director of Major & Leadership Gifts at the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, speaks to Sabrina Madison-Cannon, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies at the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance.

Credit Julie Denesha / KCUR

Mannequins decorate the ArtsKC booth to promote the organization's "Now Showing" program that helps artists display their work in area businesses.

By Laura Spencer and Julie Denesha

The headline of a recent editorial in The Kansas City Star about downtown Kansas City, Missouri declared: "A decade later, downtown has stronger heartbeat."

Visual Arts

10:39 pm

Thu December 13, 2012

Visual Wordplay In 'At Wit's End'

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Credit courtesy: Epsten Gallery at Village Shalom

A closeup of Beniah Leuschke's wordplay in "The Words of Every Song"

Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR

Artist Beniah Leuschke installs the title in Epsten Gallery.

Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR

Beniah Leuschke, "The Words of Every Song"

Archie Scott Gobber, "God's Eye"

Credit Laura Spencer / KCUR

Curator James Martin says works in the exhibition, like Gobber's "God's Eye" and this cut paper work by Beniah Leuschke, visually relate.

Archie Scott Gobber, "Lush Pushy," 2012

Archie Scott Gobber, "Piece," 2011

By Laura Spencer

Finding meaning in contemporary art often depends more on the viewer than on the artist. What you make of the work is up to you. But what words to use?

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.

By Laura Spencer

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.

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.

By Laura Spencer and Julie Denesha

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.

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.

By Laura Spencer

The 2013 Grammy nominations are out - and two nominees are based in Kansas City.

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.

By Laura Spencer

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.

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.

By Laura Spencer

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.

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

By Laura Spencer

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.

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

By Laura Spencer

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.

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.

By Laura Spencer and Julie Denesha

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.

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.

By Laura Spencer and Julie Denesha

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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