CARA SPENCER

 

 

When I was six years old I saw my first professional musical, The Wizard of Oz. I was mesmerized by the flying monkeys. It was magic and I wanted to be part of it. My opportunity came my freshman year of college. The scene shop needed a painter and I needed a job. It quickly turned from a job into a love which grew into my passion. I could turn wood, steel, and foam into anything I wanted! I was helping make magic.

 

For more than a decade I have been painting my way around the country spending time as a freelancer, a teacher, a grad student, and a full-time scenic artist. In July 2019 I moved to Kansas City to be the Charge Artist for KC Rep and Scene Painting Professor for UMKC. Along with that I started working around town painting murals and other freelance projects. I absolutely fell in love with the vibrant, art-filled city and planned to call it home for a very long time. But Covid. For a year after that first season was cut short, I split my time between painting for The Rep and teaching K-12 Art and Music in tiny Bird City, KS (population 435). I fell in love with living in a tiny town and teaching all levels of students. After a year of doing both, I had to give one up. I chose to stay in Bird City during the school year and I ended up spending the summer with Des Moines Metro Opera. My year is now happily full of teaching during the school year and painting during the summer. Of course, I'll take any cool freelance jobs and mural projects that pop up.

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I am incredibly tenacious and very competitive. I love a new challenge and I do my best work under pressure.  While I am independent, I enjoy working with a team and believe that the best art is created through collaboration of talents and people all working together towards a shared vision.  

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When I'm not painting you can find me hanging out with my 8 year old puppy, Mia. Some of our favorite things include: running, hiking, swimming, reading, drinking wine, game nights, music, hanging out in coffee shops, and road-tripping. 

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Thanks for stopping by. I hope you love what you see and I get an opportunity to create something for you!