Art can reflect time and culture and unite communities. For more than 30 years, the Lenexa Arts Council has organized the Lenexa Artists’ Show, a juried show featuring only artists who live in Lenexa. Some are hobby artists. Some professional. All have a tale of passion behind their work. The annual show is on display until Oct. 1, 2023, at the City Hall Art Gallery. 

On Tuesday, Aug. 24, a public reception took place to shine a light on local talent and bring the artists and community together. Winners were announced in three categories: 2D, 3D and photography/digital art. The 2023 show judges were Wolfe Brack and Sara Powell-Moody. Brack is the artistic director at InterUrban ArtHouse. Powell-Moody was a creative director and designer at Hallmark Cards for 26 years.

The show features the work of 34 artists and 40 pieces of art. 

Award winners

• Best of Show: Catherine Kirkland, “100,000 Stars” (Acrylic on Canvas)  
• Arts Council’s Choice: Judy Rix, “Heather” (Paper Sculpture)
• First Place 2D: Beverly Amundson, “Black is not Black & White is not White” (Pastel)
• Second Place 2D: Larry DeGraff “Mulberry Street Messenger” (Oil on Panel)
• Third Place 2D: Kate Babcock Nickols, “Portrait #5” (Graphite)
• First Place 3D: Harry Healey, “Peregrine Falcon on the Lookout for Prey” (Plaster and wood)
• Second Place 3D: Marci Blank, “Global Warming” (Fiber)
• Third Place 3D: Desirae Gieseman, “Faith” (Fiber)
• First Place Photography: Wendy Delzeit, “In the Reeds: An ultra macro look inside a child’s glass marble”
• Second Place Photography: Bill Harrison, “Graffiti Barn” 
• Third Place Photography: Denis Plumly, “Marathon Skies”

Honorable mentions:

• Laurie Colahan, “Toucans Hiding” (Abstract floral mixed media on canvas)
• Sally Larigan, “Bluebird Box” (Watercolor) 

About the Lenexa Arts Council 

The Lenexa Arts Council is an appointed nine-member volunteer board. Members bring art opportunities and programs to Lenexa. In addition to the Lenexa Artists’ Show and other exhibits at the City Hall Art Gallery, the council organizes a variety of other programs and events such as the Lenexa Community Orchestra, the Outdoor Concert Series, City Center Live and the Manhattan Short Film Festival.