Local artists take the spotlight in Lenexa Artists' Show
Published on August 21, 2026
For more than 30 years, Lenexa artists have been putting their creativity on display through the Lenexa Artists’ Show. The annual exhibition, presented by the Lenexa Arts Council, celebrates the talent of local artists — from passionate hobbyists to seasoned professionals — and gives residents a chance to see their work in one place.
This year’s show features 42 talented artists, with works ranging from bold paintings and intricate sculptures to striking photography and digital art. You can view the collection in the Lenexa City Hall Art Gallery through Sept. 27, 2026.
A public reception on Thursday, Aug. 20, gave visitors the chance to meet the artists, hear the stories behind their work and join in the celebration. Awards were presented in three categories: 2D art, 3D art, and photography/digital art, judged by Amanda Burkhart and Kale Van Leeuwen.
2026 Award winners
Best of Show: Patricia Young, “Bedazzled Zennia”
Lenexa Arts Council’s Choice: Tina Kolm, “Early Morning, West Lenexa”
First Place 2D: Jan Schroeder, “Wes”
Second Place 2D: Bradford Athey, “The Thinner The Air”
Third Place 2D: Barbara Mizik, “Garden at Night”
First Place 3D: Kris Coyan, “Turning Circles”
Second Place 3D: Harry Healey, “Balancing Act”
Third Place 3D: Marci Blank, “Leaf Me Alone”
First Place Photography/Digital: Gregory Stump, “Percusionistas En Matanzas Cuba”
Second Place Photography/Digital: Wendy Delzeit, “The Bubble Solution”
Third Place Photography/Digital: Lisa Healey, “Beyond the Book”
Honorable mentions
Christl Clevenger, “Where the Buffalo Rest”; Tom Gustafson, “The Old Fence”; Janet Hall, “Downtown”; and Janet Meddings, “Eclipse: When the Missouri River Turned Purple.”
About the judges
Kale Van Leeuwen has been working as a professional visual artist since 2008. His work currently includes a mixture of graphic design, collage and paint. He teaches middle school art in the Blue Valley School District.
Amanda Burkhart has worked as a professional artist and art educator for nearly 20 years. She currently leads the Johnson County Development Supports Emerging Artists program, which serves adult artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are passionate about creating art.
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.
Learn more about the City Hall Art Gallery. Shows change about every four to six weeks and feature a variety of content and styles.