Have you seen the new addition to Brookside? Located at 63rd and Brookside Blvd., across the street from The Roasterie Café, the new “Always and Forever Brookside Postcard” mural is the current talk of the town! We took the time to get to know artist Ruthie Ozonoff, to find out a little more about her and how this beautiful mural came to be.
Ruthie has been drawing, painting and creating art since she could pick up a pencil! In 2016, she took her skill set to the next level by graduating from The University of Kansas with her BFA in Illustration and Animation. Now, Ruthie looks forward to everything coming full circle when she paints her own mural on KU’s campus this coming spring!
Ruthie has painted a number of well-known murals in the Kansas City area including: “Kansas City I’m so in Love” at the Imagine That! Art Studio in the Crossroads and “Where KC Plays” for KC Parks and Recreation in the West Bottoms. You can also find her work in Liberty, MO at MelRoe’s School of Dance. Visitors come from near and far to take photos in front of her renowned art!
Ruthie was commissioned by the business owners at 63rd and Brookside Blvd. to paint a mural tying into Brookside’s upcoming 100th birthday on September 1, 2019. She presented the charming idea of a postcard mural – allowing visitors to make themselves the message of the postcard! The mural also includes the date that Brookside was established – September 1, 1919. The commissioners were thrilled with the idea and after weeks of hard work, the “Always and Forever Brookside Postcard” mural made its big reveal!
Having spent her childhood in Brookside, Ruthie could not be more excited to have her artwork on display in her old stomping grounds. “I’m just really glad that I had the opportunity to give a special gift to the Brookside area for everyone to enjoy and interact with,” said Ruthie. “I’ve always wanted to impact people positively through my work, so I hope people will cherish this mural and it will become a special part of the community,” she continued.
We have a feeling Ruthie’s wish to impact the community is one that will come true. Thank you for using your skill to add yet another wonderful component to Brookside, Ruthie!
Next time you’re in the Brookside area, be sure to stop a take a picture in front of Ruthie’s postcard mural! While you’re in the neighborhood, stop by 9 W 63rd St and see your friends at Brookside Real Estate. When the flag is up, we’re open!