Art Spark
2026 Cohort
Royce "Sauce" Handy is an artist-educator, Hip-Hop entrepreneur, and communicator whose work has been showcased by notable entities such as Intel, UnderArmour, NPR Music, BricTV, and the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs where he has worked in cultural exchange and music diplomacy. Sauce received his BA in Urban Studies under the Urban Planning + Architecture program from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and is a current MPA/Urban Policy graduate student at UMKC's Bloch School of Management. With his ability to bridge his educational background and his work as an emcee and storyteller, Sauce is regarded as a go-to communicator for Hip-Hop and its impact on the world.
Kyle Klipowicz is an autodidact, musician and educator. He has been involved with learning facilitation in some context since 2005, and continues to refine techniques for inspiring the self-learner in everyone. He has been creating music and sounds with Ableton Live since version 3 in 2003. He is excited to impart this knowledge on new learners.
Luke “Skippy” Harbur is a performer, producer, and educator whose project, musicbyskippy, creates arts experiences for multigenerational audiences. Through beatboxing and other artistic skills, his work celebrates authenticity and combats social isolation.
He is a Librettist Fellow of Lyric Opera of Kansas City & No Divide KC, a Heartland Arts Fellow of Starlight Theatre & Heartland Arts KC, and a cohort member of Music To Life, a training program for musicians focused on social change. Commissions include Boulevardia, the Ewing Kauffman Foundation, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, and Cornell University.
As an educator he’s hosted workshops and classes focused on beatboxing, personal branding, marketing strategy, empowerment through non-verbal movement, and how to market and produce original shows.
Nettie Zan is an artist, poet and meditation teacher located in Kansas City. They are the Connectivist Resident at InterUrban ArtHouse for 2025, where they develop ways of building community including hosting their monthly open mic sequence. Nettie currently teaches meditation for No Divide's Art Spark program, for the KC Public Library, Amethyst Place and at AIMwell Yoga. They have studied mindfulness at the Marina Abramovic Institute in Greece for a 120 hour course. Nettie is a strong believer in the power of our local habitat: neighbors, family, trees, rivers, small businesses, opossums and puppies. When we come together locally and develop in-person connections, magic happens. You can find more of their work at nettiezan.com or follow them for events and essays at nettiez.substack.com
Nita Hughley (She/Her) is a personal growth facilitator, life coach, and founder of Unruly Growth, a self-development brand. With a background in mental and behavioral health and the arts, she brings a creative and holistic approach to helping others recognize their value and potential. She also works as a Small Business Specialist and presenter with Square One Small Business Center, where she specializes in professional development
