Recently, the Parade of Hearts artists gathered for something a little outside our comfort zones — professional photos and a short video recording to accompany our sculptures.
Each finished heart will include a QR code so visitors can scan and hear directly from the artist. I think it’s such a thoughtful idea. It creates another layer of connection — a way for people to not just see the artwork, but understand the story behind it.
And yet… standing in line waiting to record that short video, I realized something.
Almost every artist I spoke with was nervous.
And I was too.
Painting my heart felt natural. Expressing it in a few spoken sentences? Much harder.
The Weight of Being Seen
Kansas City is hosting the World Cup this summer, and the city is expecting hundreds of thousands of visitors — around 600,000 people coming to experience this big event. Our heart sculptures will be placed throughout the city, visible to locals and travelers from around the world.
As I stood there waiting to record, I kept thinking:
What if this video is the first impression someone has of my heart?
What if it’s the only impression?
That thought put an enormous amount of pressure on me. I wanted it to be polished. Meaningful. Articulate. Memorable.
Instead, I felt stiff. A little awkward. Maybe even cringey.
And if I’m honest, I’m not especially proud of how the video turned out.
But here’s what I am proud of:
The heart itself.
The Inspiration Behind My Heart
My design was inspired by connection — all the ways this city brings people together.
Music.
Sports.
Nature.
Shared heritage.
Kansas City carries so many threads that weave people into something larger than themselves. The heart sculpture itself symbolizes the “Heart of America.” The circle surrounding it represents unity — a visual reminder that we are stronger when connected.
That symbolism is powerful. It’s something I deeply believe in.
Painting vs. Speaking
As artists, we’re used to letting our work do the talking. The brush feels familiar. The canvas (or in this case, the sculpture) is where we’re most confident.
Stepping in front of a camera is different. It requires vulnerability in another form.
This experience reminded me that growth doesn’t only happen through the art we create — it also happens in the uncomfortable spaces around it.
Even if the video wasn’t perfect, the meaning behind the heart is strong. And ultimately, that’s what matters most.
When people encounter my sculpture in the city — whether they scan the QR code or not — I hope they feel what inspired it:
Connection.
Unity.
Belonging.
Because that’s what this project is really about.
(Full design will be revealed on April 4th at Overland Park Convention Center 10am - 4pm)
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