October 28, 2023

Bernard Campbell Middle School art teacher Katie Messick’s work was chosen for the 2024 Parade of Hearts. This is her second year in a row being selected for this honor in this annual event now in its third year.

She is one of the 100 artists selected from over 400 who submitted designs for the event that features local artists. Last year she was one of the 40 artists chosen from nearly 530. In addition to teaching art, the Lee’s Summit resident is also the BCMS head girls track coach.

Messick’s work last year, titled “Kansas City in my heart for Heifer” was featured at the City Market, Lee’s Summit Honda, and at Kauffman Stadium. This year her piece is called, “Great Plains, Trains, and Automobiles.”

She admits, “Apparently I like puns…”

Messick is also a member of the Teacher Advisory Board at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and currently works with Mattie Rhodes, Kansas City Museum, The Crossroads Hotel, and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art to help with their annual Dia de los Muertos celebrations.

The hearts will be on display across the metro from April to August 2014. For more information visit theparadeofhearts.com. The Parade of Hearts was created to strengthen the region through art. Hearts from the first year of the Parade of Hearts were auctioned off with the proceeds benefiting organizations impacted by the pandemic. Last year’s hearts were auctioned off with the money going towards grants to organizations in health and wellness, education, small/minority owned businesses, arts and culture and hospitality and tourism.