The Woodland Heights Neighborhood Association’s Art Committee has partnered with the Ozarks Lyric Opera, the Commercial Street CID (Community Improvement District), and the Springfield Police Officers Association to continue bringing eye-catching art to Springfield’s north side.
Woodland Heights resident Kashena Starr Northrip began designing costumes for the Ozarks Lyric Opera in 2022. Kashena was the creative force behind the wonderfully vibrant and imaginative costumes that graced the Gillioz stage during OLO’s April production of “Black Rider: The Casting of the Magic Bullets ” (Music and lyrics by Tom Waits / text by William S. Burroughs).
Once that production’s run had ended, Kashena’s amazing costumes were packed away. The Woodland Heights Neighborhood Association’s Art Committee thought it a shame that these beautiful works of art could not be shared more openly. Discussions began with Kashena, OLO, and the Commercial Street CID. It was eventually decided that these costumes would be put on display on C-Street to celebrate the creative vision of one of our most outstanding local artists – and to highlight the accessibility of opera as an art form to our north side residents.
For three weeks, from July 19 until Aug. 9, Kashena’s darkly whimsical costumes were displayed in the windows of 233 E Commercial St. to the delight of every C-Street stroller who happened to wander by and glance them unexpectedly.
We in Woodland Heights are forever appreciative of the partnerships that made this exhibit possible. It is a pleasure and a joy to help our artists shine – while also bringing positive attention to local artistic institutions and vital business districts.
