Artist Daniel Montoute will present "Living in Tents," an exhibition of paintings, found objects, and mixed media works at the Shirley Stiles Gallery in Kansas City starting August 18, 2025. The show depicts the realities of homelessness in the Kansas City area, featuring imagery of tents, shopping carts, and people sleeping in alleyways. Montoute, who moved to Kansas City in 2023 to join the Pendleton ArtsBlock artist community, was struck by the prevalence of homelessness. All exhibition pieces will be donated to reStart Inc., an emergency shelter, and auctioned at its annual fundraising gala on September 11.
This exhibition matters because it uses visual art to confront a pressing social crisis: the Kansas City metropolitan area ranks No. 1 for chronic street homelessness per capita in the U.S., with unsheltered rates exceeding 89%. By placing elegant cityscapes alongside stark depictions of homelessness, Montoute aims to move viewers from awareness to action, encouraging donations of time, talent, or money. The partnership with reStart Inc. also demonstrates how artists can directly support nonprofit solutions, with Montoute serving on the shelter's board since 2024.