How many times have you walked past Leopold Gallery…but didn’t stop in?  Perhaps you thought “well I can’t afford anything here” or “I don’t know anything about art”.  That’s what stopped me from browsing the gallery…until Paul Dorrell, President, invited me for a visit.  “I’ve got a new feature to show you—come on by!”.  And I did, thinking…this is a gallery, I’m not obligated to make a purchase…and I love browsing through art museums…I should have checked this place out years ago!

Paul grew up in Leawood  and studied art history at KU.  After a season on a fishing boat in Alaska, he worked as Assistant Director at the Hill-Stead Museum of French Impressionism in Connecticut, where he learned volumes about the art world. He moved back to Kansas City in the late 80s, met his wife Annie, and opened his gallery to primarily represent Missouri and Kansas artists.   His first space was at the old Hotel Savoy, followed by a place in  the Crestwood Shops.  After outgrowing that space, he moved to this location on 63^rd St in 2007.  Leopold Gallery has over 8000 clients, and the majority of his sales are over the phone or online.  You’ve probably seen works from the artists he reps at the University of Kansas Health System, Arrowhead and Kaufmann stadiums, the Prairie Village Shops, Kansas State University, Disneyworld and even in some Marvel movies!  He’s also working on providing art for the new Ben Stiller comedy High Desert, coming this fall to Apple TV.

 Inside Leopold Gallery, you’ll see a broad range of works, including abstract, landscape and conceptual art. Chances are there is something you will enjoy looking at or thinking about. Paul gives back to our community as well. He established the Leopold Gallery Educational Foundation and actively works with Sumner and Paseo Academy art programs.  

So what is the new feature in the gallery?? It’s a two story slide!  He wanted to install a slide a year ago, inspired by his visit to the eclectic Meow Wolf space in Santa Fe.  “I want to make adults feel like kids again, and remove the intimidation that people can feel in a gallery” says Paul. He welcomes  all ages to take the plunge from the first floor to the lower level.  The ride is pretty slick and fast, surrounded by flashing lights all the way down… it’s fun and different and just a very welcoming feature of this space. Plus, there is no charge to enjoy the ride!

Stop in and say Hi to Paul, take a slide ride and enjoy the art the next time you are strolling by Leopold Gallery, 324 W 63^rd St. Hours are 10am-6pm Monday through Friday, and 10-5 on Saturday.