Published on October 24, 2024
One of the two Parade of Hearts sculptures the City of Merriam received over the summer is now on permanent display at Merriam Marketplace.
The City purchased My Heart Resides in Strawberry Hill by artist Kate E. Burke. The piece has painted strawberries on the front and back and embroidery on the sides.
Burke said the sculpture honors her Strawberry Hill neighborhood with the image of ripe strawberries packed inside the heart and said each stitch detail is “important, like each person in the community.”
“I’m so happy that the City of Merriam is giving my design a permanent home, especially where the farmers market is during the summer,” Burke said. “I can't think of a better place for it to end up!”
The heart was at Merriam Marketplace throughout the summer as part of the Parade of Hearts before it went up for auction.
Parade of Hearts celebrates diversity, unites communities, and supports nonprofits by placing 100 5-foot hearts designed by local artists throughout the Kansas City region.