But after years of showing his work at local galleries and painting out of his home studio, he said his own new gallery space down the street holds new promise.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis way, I can kind of control my own destiny,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is the future, so I\u2019m ready to run full-speed ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n
Studio 80, Freeman\u2019s new studio and gallery, will officially open its doors in downtown Overland Park on Nov. 7.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Studio 80 is opening at 7139 W. 80th St.<\/p>\n
The gallery moved into a space just off 80th Street and Metcalf Avenue, near Homer\u2019s Coffee House.
\nA hair salon previously occupied that space.
\nInitially, Studio 80 will be open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. It will be open on a by-appointment basis for the rest of the week.<\/p>\n
![\"Mark](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Mark-Freeman-2-714x476.webp.webp\")
Mark Freeman hangs a painting in his new gallery, Studio 80. Photo credit Lucie Krisman.
\nStudio 80 will offer abstract art for viewing and for sale<\/p>\n
Studio 80 will double as a gallery where people can view and purchase art, as well as a working studio for Freeman to create more art.<\/p>\n
The walls at Studio 80 will be adorned with a mix of abstract and figurative pieces \u2014 many of which have local themes like Kansas City area musicians, nature and landmarks.<\/p>\n
Aside from his own art, Freeman also plans to feature a local \u201cArtist of the Month\u201d at Studio 80.<\/p>\n
Beyond the walls of the gallery, he also intends to continue partnering with local nonprofits and organizations to donate art and the proceeds from their sale to causes like cancer research and anti-human trafficking initiatives.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiving back is a huge thing for me,\u201d he said. \u201cI think, again, being down here in the community, in the heart of Overland Park, I\u2019ll be able to do more of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The studio is a passion project for Freeman<\/p>\n
Freeman said his creative streak goes back to his early teenage years. He says he was inspired by straying off the beaten path in art class.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile everyone else was drawing birds or whatever they were supposed to be drawing, I was doing abstract and just painting wild stuff,\u201d he said. \u201cBut my teacher was kind, and she encouraged me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Though he\u2019s always loved art, Freeman said he didn\u2019t start to consider painting as more than a side interest until 2017, having previously made a career in sales and marketing up to that point.<\/p>\n
His pivot into making painting more of a priority was inspired by his friend and fellow painter, John Cessna, who he said pushed him to take the leap. Then, when COVID-19 slowed everything down five years ago, he had something to keep him busy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just painted all during (the pandemic),\u201d he said. \u201cI didn\u2019t care if I sold one or not. I just kept painting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Freeman said he\u2019s been eyeing downtown Overland Park as the launch point for his gallery for years. With multiple other galleries already nearby, he said he envisioned the area becoming a bit of a destination for local art.<\/p>\n
By opening Studio 80, he said he\u2019s looking forward to hopefully being a part of that. But that\u2019s not all that\u2019s on his mind.<\/p>\n
He said the new space also serves as an ode to his late wife, Kristi Freeman<\/a>. Before she died of lung cancer in September 2024, she was an avid supporter of Freeman\u2019s art.<\/p>\n In that sense, he said, Studio 80 isn\u2019t just his. It\u2019s Kristi\u2019s, too.<\/p>\n \u201cShe was my biggest fan, and she supported me in every way you can imagine,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s been my dream, but she really fueled it.\u201d<\/p>\n