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Artist Statement

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As a multi-genre writer of nonfiction and poetry, I focus on the complex histories and experiences of humans and the environment in order to generate knowledge, empathy and compassion toward others so I can see, experience, and share the world through a wider lens.

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The root of my work stems from research, travel, and truly experiencing others. Since childhood, writing and deep communication and communion with others have been the tools through which I explore and process the world. I am currently focusing on the relationship between America and Mexico as neighbors.

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In my writing, I am entirely compelled to wonder about others. Deeply wondering about others is the antidote to phobias, violence, racism and bigotries. Invisible in most history books are the subcultures who were forced into the margins of our social histories, like the laboring immigrants who literally built America from coast to coast. In the words of the late great Howard Zinn, “It is possible, reading standard histories, to forget half the population of the country.”

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I am impassioned to transcend the one-dimensional storyline.

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Short Biography

Karla Deel currently serves as the Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications for ArtsKC, regional arts council, driven by a deep commitment to serving others in the arts and across Kansas City.

 

She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and Media Arts from the University of Missouri–Kansas City and is the author of Storied & Scandalous Kansas City: A History of Corruption, Mischief, and a Whole Lot of Booze (Globe Pequot Press, 2019). She was part of the 2020 Kansas City Artist INC cohort and completed Arquetopia Foundation Writers Residencies in Oaxaca, Mexico, and Naples, Italy.

 

A longtime nonprofit board member, Karla has served the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, the Jackson County Historical Society, and the Friends of the Kansas City Public Library. She is currently President of the Advisory Board of the Mutual Musicians Foundation International,  helping to preserve one of Kansas City’s most treasured jazz landmarks.

 

She loves to travel to concerts and retreats, writes poetry and nonfiction, grows food in her front yard, practices Kundalini yoga, and cuddles her black cats. Most of all, she loves laughing until she cries with her husband, Jonathan, and daughter, Salem.

Resume

Writer, editor, designer, event planner, community organizer. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, Social Media Platforms. Strong written and spoken communication skills. Photography and video proficiency with post production skills. Lover of travel, people, world music, art, Palo Santo, being barefoot, and surrounding myself with all things turquoise & gold!

 

Nonprofit, Board of Directors, Work & Writing History

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  • January 2025-present, Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications, ArtsKC

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  • March 2026-present, President Advisory Board, Mutual Musicians Foundation International 

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  • August 2021-2023, Marketing Director, Flora Farms

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  • Fall 2020, Artist Inc. Cohort, Together with 25 other artists, I was accepted into a competitive professional development program of, by, and for artists of all disciplines. I completed it successfully.

 

  • November 2019, Author, Published Storied & Scandalous Kansas City, a History of Corruption Mischief and a Whole Lot of Booze (Globe Pequot Press, Guilford, Connecticut).To date, this 169-page nonfiction book has sold around 2,500 copies and continues to bring disparate groups of people together in celebration of a shared history.

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  • August 2019-2021, Communications Manager, Friends of the Kansas City Public Library: As the content consultant, creator and manager of this nonprofit organization, I am responsible for all communications with the thousands-strong membership. Specific responsibilities: graphic design, strategizing and implementing fundraising and membership drives, crafting monthly newsletters, connecting to national library groups, writing, writing, writing.

 

  • July 2016, Director, Jackson County Historical Society’s board of directors: In addition to my work on the executive committee, I serve on the JCHS Journal publication subcommittee where I write feature-length essays, strategize content that properly reflects the diversity of Jackson County, and provide editorial assistance for each publication.

 

  • January 2015-2018, Chair of Communications, Orpheus KC, Lyric Opera of Kansas City: Managing all aspects of social media, communication with membership, promotion and event publicity, coordination with all chairs, direct liaison between LOKC and Orpheus KC.

 

  • November 2012, Founder, Editor and Writer, SqueezeBoxCity [squeezeboxcity.com]: Producing events relating to the history, culture and neighborhood development of Kansas City, Mo., writing and publishing essays, researching historic documents, newspapers and magazines, managing staff writers, developing community relationships.

 

Education

University of Missouri-Kansas City, Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, Kansas City, Missouri Overall GPA: 4.0, August 2009 - May 2012

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University of Missouri-Kansas City, Bachelor of Arts in English, Kansas City, Missouri. Overall GPA: 3.85, Art Institute of Atlanta, Associate of Arts, Photographic Imaging

 

Awards 

SqueezeBoxCity won Historic Kansas City’s 2014 Preservation Award for Innovation in Preservation, Excellence

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