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We Ship That! A Guide to Mailing Letters and Packages at KCAI

We Ship That! A Guide to Mailing Letters and Packages at KCAI

Welcome to the ultimate guide on navigating mail and packages at the Kansas City Art Institute! Whether you're sending postcards, letters, or packages, or simply picking up mail on campus, the KCAI Underground Art Store has you covered. Stop by the KCAI Underground for mailing services, including USPS, FedEx, and UPS shipping, and pick up some Forever stamps while you’re there!

What is a postcard and how do I send one?

A postcard is a rectangular piece of thick paper or cardstock used for sending short messages or greetings through the mail. One side of the postcard is reserved for a visual image or illustration, while the other side is divided into two sections: one for the recipient’s address and postage, and the other for a brief message. They are sent without an envelope, and postage is applied directly to the upper right corner of the card.

 

In the I Got Up series, Kawara sent two postcards every day to friends, family, collectors, colleagues. The postcards that Kawara chose were always horizontal in format, and always of the touristic variety. He played games with the cards, sometimes sending a single recipient multiple[s] of the same image, or taking recipients on tours around the cities.

 

What about Greeting Cards and Letters?

Greeting cards and letters are written or printed messages addressed to a person or organization. They can be used for various purposes, such as personal correspondence, business communication, expressing sentiments, or conveying information. Greeting cards and letters are folded and placed in envelopes for mailing.

Jasper Johns experimented with seriality, materiality, and appropriation and helped bridge Abstract Expressionism with the modernist art movements that followed, including Pop art, Minimalism, and Conceptualism. Johns often pushed the same motif across various media to explore new possibilities for the image. In his famous paintings of the American flag, Johns referenced both concrete iconography and his own previous versions of artworks. Abstract hatchings are another signature motif for Johns. On paper and canvas, these marks highlight the artist’s conscious control of gesture and form: a major divergence from the bravura brushstrokes of Johns’s Ab-Ex predecessors. Johns spent semesters at the University of South Carolina and Parsons School of Design before dropping out and joining the army. In the 1950s, he was part of New York’s avant-garde arts scene alongside longtime friend, lover, and collaborator Robert Rauschenberg.

 

We Sell Forever Stamps!

Forever stamps are a type of postage stamp that is designed to retain its value for the cost of mailing a standard letter, regardless of future postal rate increases. Forever stamps can be used for mailing one-ounce letters, but they are also valid for other postage rates if additional stamps are added to meet the required postage.

Forever Stamps as they are sold at The KCAI Underground

 

What is a parcel?

A parcel is a term commonly used to refer to a packaged or boxed item that is intended for shipment or delivery through postal or courier services and is tracked. Parcels can vary in size, shape, and content, ranging from small packages to larger boxes. The term is often used interchangeably with "package" to describe items being sent or received in the mail or through a delivery service.

 

How much will it cost to send my parcel?

Bring your parcel down to the Art Store and we will find out.

 

All carriers use a pricing technique that accounts for the space a package occupies in relation to its actual weight. The formula varies among carriers but generally involves dimensions, weight, destination and transit time.

 

Some Packaging Tips

→ Use a sturdy and appropriately sized box or mailer for your items. Avoid oversized boxes that could lead to insufficient protection.

 

→ Wrap fragile items individually with bubble wrap, packing paper, or other cushioning materials.

 

→ Resize your box or mailer to eliminate excessive empty space. Fill remaining empty spaces in the box with packing peanuts, bubble wrap, or crumpled paper to prevent items from moving during transit.

 

→ Use high-quality packing tape to seal all seams of the box securely. Make sure the box is well-sealed to prevent accidental openings.

 

→ If there’s a chance of exposure to the elements, consider placing items in plastic bags or using water-resistant packaging materials.

 

→ Proper packaging helps protect your items during transit and ensures they arrive at their destination in good condition. If you have specific items or need more tailored advice, stop by The Underground for additional recommendations.

 

Let’s talk insurance!

All parcels are automatically insured for $100, but if you are sending something super valuable, you might want to consider purchasing additional insurance. The extra coverage is affordable and can provide financial protection in case of loss, damage, or theft during transit.

 

Keep in mind that you will need to prove the value of the item to obtain compensation. So don’t bother insuring your painting for $1,000 if you have never sold a painting for that much.

 

Broken Jeff Koons Balloon Dog [credit: John Reed, Slate.com]

 

How to RECEIVE letters and parcels at KCAI

Have your mail and packages addressed to:

 

Your Preferred Name

4415 Warwick Blvd.

Kansas City, MO 64111

 

Check your KCAI email for a mail or package notification from The KCAI Underground and follow the pick up directions in the email. That’s it!

 

We will accept mail and packages for anyone, as long as you have an active KCAI email.

 

You are in our system under the preferred name you provided to KCAI. Dead names have been archived within our system for your convenience.

 

Bonus Info!

Reduce the possibility of receiving boring adulting mail by:

 

→ Opt-out of receiving prescreened credit and insurance offers by visiting the official website: optoutprescreen.com or calling 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688).

 

→ Visit the Direct Marketing Association’s (DMA) consumer website, DMAChoice.org, to opt-out of various categories of direct mail.

 

→ Opt for online statements and bills to reduce the amount of physical mail you receive.

 

→ Sign up for Catalog Choice (catalogchoice.org) to opt-out of specific catalogs and control the mail you receive.

 

→ Be cautious about participating in contests, surveys, or product registrations that may lead to an increase in junk mail.



Come visit us in The KCAI Underground. We sell forever stamps and we also ship USPS, FedEx, and UPS. Just ask at the Art Store counter.