“Arrive As A Star. Leave As A Star.” – Illuminating 50 Years of Melinda Ryder in Kansas City opened at the Museum of Kansas City this month. The exhibit celebrates the 50-year drag career of “Queen of Kansas City” Melinda Ryder, and includes a collection of costumes, images, and memorabilia.
Loretta Martin, Melinda Ryder, KC Loreal, and Devion Mornett. Courtesy of Devion Mornett.
Curated by Ryder and husband Kirk Nelson, this exhibition features items on display from the Museum’s GLAMA Collection (Gay and Lesbian Archive of Mid-America), on loan from Ryder and Nelson, and items on loan from GLAMA at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Each object reflects the artistic and cultural significance of Ryder’s work and narrates stories of Ryder’s dedication to the theatrical art of female impersonation, tireless advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, and her impactful philanthropy.
“Melinda Ryder is more than a drag queen—she’s a Kansas City icon, a trailblazer who painted the town with glitter and grit, building a stage where there was none and lifting a community with every performance,” raves friend Devion Mornett. “Her legacy isn’t just legendary, it’s monumental. The ultimate and ever-reigning ‘it girl’ of Missouri!”
“It is so amazing to be recognized and honored for 50 years of entertainment and service to our community,” says Ryder. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
The exhibit runs through February 2026.
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Melinda Ryder. Courtesy of Melinda Ryder.
Courtesy of Melinda Ryder.
Courtesy of Melinda Ryder.
