A Bittersweet Farewell: The Final Symphony in the Flint Hills Signature Event and Art Auction

The last Symphony in the Flint Hills Signature Event was held this past week at the Evans Family Ranch, and it was everything we could have hoped for—and more. With perfect weather, record-breaking participation, and a show-stopping art auction, the event served as a poignant finale to nearly two decades of celebrating the culture and beauty of the Kansas Flint Hills.

Perfect Weather, Unforgettable Setting

The Flint Hills are legendary for their expansive views, rolling prairie, and skies that seem to stretch forever. This year’s event reminded us of that in full. Guests gathered across the site—from general admission seats to the patron tent and volunteer stations—all basking in the stunning landscape and a cloud-filled sky that transitioned into a fiery sunset.

The Kansas City Symphony gave a breathtaking performance that moved the crowd and seemed to rise and fall with the wind across the tallgrass. It was a perfect day on the prairie—elevated by music, art, and community.

Capturing the Magic: From Music to Sunset

One photo, taken by my friend Dr. Laura Begley, captures the power of that moment—the vastness of the prairie, the silhouettes of the crowd, and the glowing horizon. It’s a reminder of why we’ve all come back year after year.

A Landmark Art Auction

This year’s Symphony in the Flint Hills Art Auction, conducted by KC Auction & Appraisal Company, was the largest and most successful to date. A total of 94 artworks were offered, and 85 of them sold, making this not only a record-setting auction in terms of scale but also in community enthusiasm and support.

The top result was Johne Richardson’s evocative oil painting “Up a Cloudy Draw”, which achieved $8,000, followed by Lisa Grossman’s Best in Show winner “Across the Prairie…” at $6,000, and Richardson’s “Greener Pastures” at $5,300.

These outstanding results—and the remarkable number of bidders registered and participating—demonstrate a powerful and growing demand for high-quality regional artwork, particularly those that speak to the landscapes, stories, and communities of the Midwest and Great Plains. This market momentum is something we’re proud to support in our year-round auction and appraisal work.

Celebrating Our Partners

The success of this event, and indeed the entire Symphony in the Flint Hills legacy, would not be possible without the dedication of so many individuals and organizations. A special thank you to Sandy Carlson and Kelly Tastove, whose leadership and vision have been the heartbeat of the Signature Event. Their commitment to preserving and promoting the Flint Hills through art, music, and education has created lasting impact.

We also want to acknowledge the Symphony in the Flint Hills Gallery in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, which continues to showcase the best of regional and prairie-inspired art throughout the year. It remains a cultural cornerstone for those who love and support Kansas artists.

A Legacy We’re Proud to Be Part Of

Our journey with Symphony in the Flint Hills began not as partners—but as fans. My wife, Stacey, and I were originally just attendees, drawn to the music, the mission, and the breathtaking prairie landscape. We absolutely loved the event and made it a tradition in our own lives.

One especially memorable year, intense winds prevented the organizers from displaying the art onsite, jeopardizing one of their most important annual fundraisers. On the Monday after the event, we reached out and offered our online bidding platform—completely free of charge—to help them recover and raise the critical funds they depended on to support their mission. That moment was the beginning of a partnership we’ve cherished ever since.

Over the years, that collaboration grew. From makeshift online auctions to fully integrated, professionally managed bidding systems, we’ve helped collectors connect with the art and stories of the Flint Hills. And every year, it’s felt like coming home.

Interested in Regional Art?

If you’re a collector, curator, or simply someone who loves the Flint Hills and the stories they tell, we’d love to connect. Whether you’re looking to buy or consign high-quality regional artwork, we’re here to help.

When strong winds once threatened this very art auction, we stepped in to offer our online platform—free of charge—because we believed in the mission and the art. That same passion and dedication guides everything we do.

📩 Let us know if you would like to be informed of future auctions. info@kcauctioncompany.com

📞 Or contact us to discuss consigning works by Kansas and regional artists.

Planning an Art Auction for Your Non-Profit?

When high winds once prevented Symphony in the Flint Hills from displaying their art onsite, we offered our online bidding platform—at no cost—so they could still raise the critical funds they needed. That moment sparked a long and meaningful partnership, and we’ve helped them build one of the most successful regional art auctions in the country.

If your organization is considering an art auction—online, in-person, or hybrid—we’d love to help you make it a success. From logistics and bidder support to strategy and execution, we bring the tools and experience to turn great art into real impact.

📞 816-283-3633 to start a conversation.
📩 Or join our mailing list to learn how we support artists, collectors, and nonprofits alike.

Featured 2025 Participating Artists

We are grateful to the 80+ artists who shared their vision and voice in this year’s auction. Here are the talented individuals whose work defined the 2025 Art Auction:

Patricia Adams, Jacqueline Ambler, Dianna Bartel, Susan Bartel, Scott Bean, Kaelyn Bender, Denita Benyshek, Carrie Bernauer, Gary Bibb, Bruce Brock, Jennifer Callaway, Leslie Campbell, Allan Chow, Mark Clarke, Louis Copt, Tom Davis, Michael Duane, Glen Ediger, Megan Embers, Doug Frye, Clive Fullagar, Gloria Gaus, Mary Gordon McFall, Virginia Grass Simmons, Amy Gray, Hugh Greer, Lisa Grossman, Russ Hadley, Jill Haukos, Rachel Hermes, Kevin Hobbs, Brian Horsch, Rebecca Jahelka, Jason Keller, Jeffrey Kline, Cally Krallman, Gregory Larson, Diane Lawrence, Kristine Luber, David Mai, Jillian Marsh, Skylar Marsh, Gwen McClain, Kathy Menzie, Olivia Michka, Paul Middleton, Steven Moser, Angela Muller, Bob Neace, Elnora Nokes, Nathan Novack, Kirstin Novak, Gary Ozias, Virgil Penner, Stephen Perry, Johne Richardson, Susan Rose, Linda Rowell, Mike Savage, Deb Schroer, Crystal Socha, MacKenzie Tastove, Cathie Thompson, Alan Tollakson, Maike Torrez, Barbara Van Slyke, Casey Wilson, Kenneth Wold, Ernest Wood, Mary Yoder, C. Bryan Young, Roura Young, and David Zlotky.