Lead Bank Emerging Artist Prize (LEAP)

Join us February 1st at our Lead Bank Main Street lobby on 1801 Main St. to celebrate the installation of Kansas City Art Institution Student, Rachel Tucker and her Insecure: Belly, charcoal illustration!

Lead Bank continues to show its support for the arts by sponsoring the Kansas City Art Institute’s Sponsored Studio Program by the creation of the “Lead Bank Emerging Artist” award. This award was recently given to the following four local KCAI art students: Vivian Becks from Boulder, CO; Anella Fernandez from Miami Gardens, FL; Lisa Bjornstad from Kansas City, MO and Rachel Tucker from Forest Park, GA.

Each year, Lead Bank commissions KCAI students to create artwork for their Community Art Panels located in their Crossroads branch parking lot. These panels were specifically erected so the Bank can give back to the art community by showcasing local artists’ work throughout the year. These four Emerging Artists’ artwork will also be featured as a 2D mural on the Community Art Wall each quarter at 1801 Main Street in the Crossroads as well as inside the Main Street Bank lobby. Each award winner received a $500 scholarship and the nominating department received $200.

Students were nominated by faculty and chosen based on academic achievement. They have current works on display and those who demonstrate a focused commitment to their contemporary art practice. The Lead Bank Emerging Artist Selection Committee included Kim Weinberger, Linda Lighton, Peregrine Honig, Susan Lordi Marker and Joshua Rowland. The selection committee chose four works out of 29 nominations.