CONTACT: Melissa Beltrame, Marketing Director
mbeltrame@lead.bank
Jenny Kincaid Julian, Socialworx PR
(816) 550.4382 | jenny@socialworxpr.com
(KANSAS CITY, MO) 2018 Lead Bank, a leader in financial technology, an advocate for small businesses, and the recent winner of the coveted Mr. K Award, 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. The community is invited to view each of their work beginning in October 2018, which will feature Vivian Becks animation and sound design called A Home Alone.
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.
“We support the Kansas City Art Institute and its programs because it’s just one more way that we can engage with our community. Working with young artists who have a different perspective of the world around us, especially our community, is refreshing. They give us hope for the future and we’re very excited to support their creative talents,” says Joshua Rowland, CEO of Lead Bank.
For the past two years, the Bank has hosted several artists during First Fridays, has artwork displayed in their Crossroads branch, and hosts the annual Road Roller printmaking event each year put on by the KCAI Printmaking Studio’s students. The Bank looks forward to featuring Vivian Beck’s work in October 2018 in their Main Street lobby.
“I am thrilled that Lead Bank continues to support the Kansas City Art Institute especially through their new emerging artist award. The arts are a powerful expression of creativity and an integral part of the Kansas City community. We are so fortunate to have Lead Bank as a community partner,” says Bambi Burgard, PH.D, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.
About Lead Bank
For 90 years, Lead Bank has remained a strong, independent commercial bank dedicated to delivering smart financial solutions for business owners, managers and their families and communities. With locations in Garden City, Lee’s Summit and now the Kansas City Crossroads, Lead Bank continues to provide treasury management, lending services, and personal client products. The new flagship location in Kansas City’s dynamic KC Crossroads District introduces clients to a new “era of banking.” Lead Bank is the 2018 recipient of the prestigious Mr. K Award, named after the late Ewing M. Kauffman. This award goes to companies who has shown growth and sustainability of their business, a positive company culture and a record for giving back to the community. For additional information, call (816) 220.8600 or visit http://www.lead.bank/