The Saint Louis Art Museum will debut its new comedy series, Gallery Laughs, later this month, produced by Mid Coast Media as a part of the popular Free Fridays programming.
The series will feature four comics in 2025: Mia Jackson, Jonathan Kite, Ian Edwards and Kym Whitley. While admission to the museum is always free, these evenings are sure to sweeten the deal. Each iteration of Gallery Laughs will begin at 5 p.m. with a DJ and a special cocktail hour before the headliner goes on at 6:30 p.m.
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Andrea Purnell, community collaborations manager at SLAM, worked together with Mid Coast co-founder Chris Denman and his team to bring comedy to the art museum.
“My partners and I at Mid Coast Media work with so many gifted comedians across the country. We’re always trying to creatively produce and promote comedy events, so we keep our eyes and ears open for new and exciting opportunities,” he says.
Denman says the idea to bring comedians into the mix began with a previous exhibit at SLAM, The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century, of which he was a fan.“That exhibit was modern and so well done, and it definitely inspired creative thinking around what SLAM offers,” Denman says.“After some brainstorming with Andrea, we put together a version of what a successful and celebrated comedy series could look like.”
From their talent connections across the country, Denman and his team selected four high-energy comics—some of whom you might recognize—to bring evenings of hilarity to this less-than-traditional comedy venue.
Mia Jackson will be the first to visit St. Louis on February 21. Her stand-up career brought her from Atlanta to New York, where she now performs around the city when she’s not on the road. In 2022, she opened for Amy Schumer’s national comedy tour and has also written for shows including I Love Us and Life & Beth.
On May 30, Jonathan Kite, who is best known for his starring role as Ukrainian cook Oleg in CBS comedy series 2 Broke Girls, will make his stop at SLAM. Kite also starred opposite Jamie Foxx on the Netflix series Dad Stop Embarrassing Me and is touted by many as an expert impressionist.
Ian Edwards and Kym Whitley will round out the series on August 15 and November 14, respectively. Both comics host successful podcasts and have been featured on numerous TV and late-night shows, from Conan to The Upshaws.
Laughs from these nationally celebrated comics will be accompanied by custom art designed by St. Louis–based artist Cbabi Bayoc. The special portraits inspired by the headliners will be displayed at each show, with a select number of prints available for purchase.
Each new comedy show will surely be an exciting night, with the opportunity to see nationally recognized talent at a unique venue. “We are so fortunate to have this level of talent and such a unique event series for free in our area,” Denman says.
Additional information about the comedians and a schedule of events can be found at slam.org.
