Kansas City, Mo. ? A new exhibition opening at the American Jazz Museum features works by members of A Light in the Other Room, a collective of Kansas City-based African-American artists.

“A Light in the Other Room: First Light” opens with a public reception from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Friday. Guest curator for the exhibition is Willis “Bing” Davis, former art department chair at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. Davis currently teaches at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.

“The broad diversity of styles, techniques, skills and visions of the artists represented speaks to a healthy climate for the continual growth, development and appreciation of African-American visual art and artists in Kansas City,” Davis said.

“A Light in the Other Room” marks the first time an exhibition in the Changing Gallery has exclusively featured Kansas City artists. The exhibition is also the first for A Light in the Other Room as a collective.

“This is the art of people who have dedicated their lives, not so much to their particular genius, but to keeping alive the flame of their heritage and the heritage of Kansas City, a great city they have always loved and have always been a part of,” said Lonnie Powell, president of the collective.

The exhibition is free and open to the public at the American Jazz Museum, 1616 E. 18th Street in the Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District of Kansas City, Missouri. It runs until March 2.

Featured artists include: Leroy Allen, Terry Beavers, NedRa Bonds, Bonnye Brown, Carolyn Cameron, Janine Carter, Henry Dixon, Dell Godbold, Anthony High, Ed Hogan, Ben Mercer, Dean Mitchell, Lonnie Powell, Robert Powell, Joseph Smith, Veronica Sublett, Andre Swaney and Sherry Whetstone-McCall.