“Water People” mural installed in the center’s natatorium  

Join 5th District Councilmembers, City officials, and the artist Woke3, for a celebration of the new Water People mural installed in the Southeast Community Center’s pool area.

WHERE: Southeast Community Center in Swope Park, 4201 East 63rd St. 
WHEN: Friday, May 9, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. 
SPEAKERS INCLUDE: 

• Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw  
• Councilmember Darrell Curls   
• Parks & Recreation Commissioner Stephenie K. Smith 
• Municipal Arts Commission Rep  
• Artist Woke3

FUNDING: Commissioned by the City’s One Percent for Art Program KC.  

ABOUT THE ART: Water People is about our deep connection to water-how it moves through our lives beyond just survival. Water gives us joy, holds memory, and connects us to our ancestors. It’s a force that sustains us, from childhood to old age, from the driest deserts to the center of this country. I painted people who are living in KCMO right now to ground this series in the heart of the community. Each piece has a hidden heart, representing the heart of the country-because without water, that heart can’t beat. You’ll also see sea life in each painting, reminding us that water isn’t just ours-it belongs to all living beings. And in every piece, I’ve included some form of pollution, like a discarded bottle, symbolizing how we neglect and abuse the very thing that gives us life. Water is more than just an element. It’s power, memory, spirit. And if we don’t protect it, we lose our joy, our strength, and our connection to something greater than ourselves.
(Titles from left to right) Force, Joy, Libations, Memory

ABOUT THE ARTIST:  Woke3 is a Nashville-based street and studio artist who uses storytelling to create bold visual declarations that honor cultural truths, preserve communal histories, and spark collective transformation. His vivid creations transform walls into dynamic spaces for connection, amplifying silenced voices and reminding us of the beauty in our shared narrative. Each piece serves as a testament to unity, resilience, and the unbreakable spirit of humanity, inviting viewers to engage, reflect, and rise.