Kansas City artist-athletes push themselves to new heights
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art presents Personal Best, a free exhibition celebrating six local artist-athletes whose dual pursuits put them at the top of their game. Through a variety of styles and media, their work reveals that true achievement is built on relentless commitment, turning everyday effort into continual growth.
The home team
The exhibition features glass installation artist and distance runner Kate Clements, football player and painter Kwanza Humphrey, painter and climber Samantha Haan, post-digital printmaker and Shotokan karate practitioner Mike Lyon, multidisciplinary artist and mixed martial arts fighter Thea Wolfe, and interdisciplinary artist and distance cyclist Tj Templeton.
The goal is in sight
“Success is rarely the result of a single moment of brilliance,” said Stephanie Fox Knappe, Sanders Sosland Senior Curator, Global Modern and Contemporary Art and Head, American Art and Personal Best curator. “As these KC-based artist-athletes prove, it derives from countless hours spent embracing the grind of incremental process, conquering doubt, and learning from failure. Their achievements stem from the mental, physical, and creative stamina required to push beyond their comfort zones.”
A perfect balance
“Kansas City is renowned for being a place where a passion for sports and the arts runs high, so we are excited to bring them together in Personal Best,” said Julián Zugazagoitia, Director & CEO of the Nelson-Atkins. “Personal Best reveals how the seemingly distinct identities of artist and athlete can merge and how they can truly complement each other.”
Read more about the artists and their work in the news release for Personal Best.
Upcoming related programs
Personal Best is inspired by Kansas City’s role as a host site for FIFA World Cup 26.
Personal Best is the fifth exhibition in the museum’s KC Art Now series, organized by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art with generous support provided by Paul DeBruce and Linda Woodsmall-DeBruce, JE Dunn Construction, the Kansas City Sports Commission, and the Kosloff Fund (As of Aug. 13, 2025).
