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Mattie Rhodes Unveils KC's Largest Folk Art Collection

Photo by Sylvia Maria Gross / KCUR.

The Hand-in-Hand Folk Art Collection officially goes on display at Partnership Place on Grand Street next year, but part of the collection will be in a show, opening Friday, September 4th at the Mattie Rhodes Gallery on the Westside.By Sylvia Maria Gross

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Kansas City, MO – One of region's largest folk art collections will soon go on display in a new gallery downtown. The Hand-in-Hand collection was started by Liberty native and long-time Hallmark employee Alice Ann Biggerstaff. She traveled all around the world collecting traditional work, particularly from the American Southwest and Latin America. Biggerstaff passed away in 2008. Two years ago, her collection was given to Mattie Rhodes, a Kansas City arts and social service center which focuses on the Latino community. The new Folk Art Center opens next year, but some people are already getting a preview. KCUR's Sylvia Maria Gross stopped by last week and spoke to Consuelo Cruz,Mattie Rhodes Director of Fund Development and the Latino Cultural Arts Division, and curator Erin Beier.

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