Jaede Bayala is a queer Puerto Rican artist based in Kansas City. They are pursuing their BFA in Painting at the Kansas City Art Institute (class of 2026). Bayala uses a broad range of materials to engage a diverse audience, with the core of their work revolving around themes of identity, the natural world, and Puerto Rican culture.

For Bayala, art is a catalyst for connection and inspiration. The artist has participated in several group shows throughout Kansas City and has interned with local galleries such as Studios Inc. and Habitat Contemporary. They also write about art, with a self-published magazine titled The Emerging Voice, as well as several of their pieces have been published in the blog of Studios Inc., a Kansas City arts non-profit. In their work, Bayala aspires to not only encapsulate their own experiences and observations but also to ignite a creative spark in others. Through their practice, they invite us into a world where every moment holds the potential for creation, encouraging us to see the beauty in our surroundings and manifest our interpretations of the world through art.