Review

"Bruson's Grocery Store", Acrylic on Watercolor Paper.

Elaine Grisnik

11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Wheat State Pizza
612 N 5th Street
Kansas City, KS
913.281.9000

Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday
Runs through: July 5

Gallery site: http://www.wheatstatepizza.com

More proof that the powers of observation aren't always razor-sharp:

During her Second Friday reception at Wheat State Pizza, Elaine Grisnik pointed at one of her works -- a painting of a familiar-looking, two-story brick building -- and asked, "Do you know what that one is?"

Seeing the obvious drawn blank, she was merciful and answered her own question: "It's this building. It used to be Bruson's Grocery Store."

Grisnik, who grew up in Kansas City, Kansas' heavily Slavic Strawberry Hill neighborhood, specializes in paintings of buildings that aren't what they used to be. There's Frank's Polish Bar, on Central ... the Gossip Inn, near City Park ... a roster of local favorites now gone but not forgotten.

All of this makes Grisnik as much historian as artist. She wears both hats well.

Those who remember those old businesses will see the little touches of authenticity: Vess soda signs on the grocery, perhaps, or an eagle crest on the bar's doors. Those who have never before stepped foot on Strawberry Hill can still appreciate Grisnik's colorful, impressionistic style, which she achieves by using acrylic paint on watercolor paper.

Whether natives or newcomers, people have taken Grisnik's art to heart -- and worn their affections proudly on their walls. Most of her originals are in the hands of collectors; all but one of the pieces on display at Wheat State Pizza are limited-edition prints.

Speaking of the pizzeria, it's encouraging to see Wheat State on the list of Follow the Dotte artwalk venues -- and not just because the pizza  is good (which it is). Having Wheat State double as a gallery does more than provide another venue for local artists. It's more proof that chain establishments don't have to follow a cookie-cutter pattern.

Grisnik's simple, affecting work hearkens back to a time when long-running, locally owned establishments were more rule than exception. Her paintings are slices of memory, topped with double portions of affection.

Stop in and take a bite.

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