Inspiration for artistic expression is all around us. Area artists were honored on Feb. 4, 2021, for exceptional work inspired by what they love about Lenexa as part of the sixth annual
HeART of Lenexa Contest. In total, 16 artists submitted 26 pieces of art in a variety of media for the juried competition.
All ages and levels of experience are represented, from seasoned artists to new artists who have never shown their art in a professional gallery before. Lisa Coyan and Wendy Delzeit have participated in every HeART of Lenexa Contest show since it began in 2015–16. Isabelle Connealy is growing up with this show. She has participated since the second year (2016–17) and is now 14 years old. Eight of the 16 artists were new this year.
Lisa Coyan’s jewelry entry was inspired by the whimsical “Amusing Breeze” public sculpture created by Chris Duh, which is located at 87th Street Parkway and Greenway Lane near the entrance to Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park.
First-place winners in each age category won $100 awards.
Meet the artists
HeART of Lenexa Contest winners
First Place (ages 5–12)
Lauren Armour, “Masked Me” (Acrylic on hard canvas with acrylic and oil pastels on paper)
“My Lenexa art class teacher…inspired me to paint a self-portrait with a mask on. I was inspired to create a colorful and bright mask to match who I am.”
First Place (ages 13–18)
Ava Evans, “Reading at the Library” (Digital)
“I love to read. It is something that I enjoy immensely, and so I was very excited when the Lenexa City Center Library opened. Although I haven’t been able to go to the library because of the recent events, I still read almost every day. I have been very limited to my selection of books, and so I reminisce about the good times I had while at the library. It is always a place that my bookish friends and I hang out. I love the feeling I get whenever I enter the library. It’s like I am entering the utopia of my dreams. It was my love for reading and the beauty of the City Center Library that inspired me to draw this art.”
First Place (adult age category)
Jack Miller, “My Lake View” (Pen and pencil)
“This is a drawing of the view from my balcony of Fountain Lake in Lakeview Village.”
Honorable Mention
- Lisa Coyan, “Amusing Breeze Reimagined” (Jewelry)
- Mary Deardorff, “Irises in Spring” (Multimedia)
- Wendy Delzeit, “Hummingbird Snack Time” (Photography)
- June Fiola, “Mill Creek” (Oil)
- Avery Neuer, “Lenexa Haiku” (Literary)
- Connie Powell, “Wild Side” (Woodburning)
- Evelyn Sonnichsen, “Orange Red Flower” (Clay)
Founder’s Award
Ron Nesemeyer, “My Snowy Lane” (Photography)
See the exhibit
The HeART of Lenexa Contest is a program of the
Lenexa Arts Council.
All entries received during the 2020 contest period are on display through Feb. 28, 2021, in the
City Hall art gallery, located in Lenexa City Hall, 17101 W. 87th St. Pkwy., Lenexa, KS 66219. The gallery is open Monday–Thursday: 6 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 7 a.m.–10 p.m., Sunday: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Published Feb. 5, 2021