A Partnership with the Kansas City Art Institute
(Kansas City, MO) Aug. 2021 Today, Kansas City's leading small business advocate, Lead Bank, today announced the recipients of their 2021-2022 emerging artists competition, the Lead Emerging Artist Prize (LEAP). As decade-long supporters of Kansas City's arts and culture, Lead Bank, in partnership with the Kansas City Art Institute, created the Lead Bank Emerging Artist Prize (LEAP) in support of their Sponsored Studio Program. The four 2021-2022 LEAP Award winners are Adam Lock (Graphic Design), Multi-Narrative Design Series, Zachary Cornstock (Sculpture) Furniture Rendering 1 & 2, Avery Istwan (Illustration), Princesses Play Hooky, and Lily Brown (Printmaking), Less than ideal seating arrangement.
Appreciating each student's diverse talents, from skillful sculpting and eye-catching graphic design to leading your imagination to wander through an emulsion of colors and brush strokes, the KCAI students have all displayed their expertise through hands-on expression. You can view their work here.
The four LEAP winner’s work will be featured as a 2D mural on the Community Art Wall located in the parking lot of Lead Bank’s Crossroads location (1801 Main Street) with the original artwork displayed inside the bank lobby. These panels were constructed specifically so the community could also enjoy the artists' works throughout the year.
"We are once again thrilled to award another group of talented artists and welcome them into Lead Bank art family. The artwork is always well received by the community and as a community bank, we’re proud to be able to display community member’s work," said Josh Rowland, CEO, and vice-chairman of Lead Bank. Each award winner received a $500 scholarship and the nominating KCAI department will receive $200. The community is invited to view the works of art beginning later this summer.
Students were nominated by KCAI 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 of Weinberger Fine Art, award-winning artis Susan Lordi-Marker, and Joshua Rowland, CEO and vice-chairman of Lead Bank. The selection committee chose four works out of 27 finalists based on faculty recommendations.
“We support the Kansas City Art Institute and its programs because it’s just one more way that we can engage with our community. Helping young artists who have diverse backgrounds and a different perspective of the world around us, especially our community, is inspiring and energizing. They give us hope for the future and we’re very excited to support their creative talents,” says Josh Rowland, CEO of Lead Bank. For the past four years, the Bank has hosted several artists for First Fridays, displayed artwork in their Crossroads branch, and hosted the annual Road Roller printmaking event each year put on by the KCAI Printmaking Studio’s students.
About Lead Bank
Lead Bank is a community-minded, independent commercial bank recognized for its innovative approach to community banking and unique banking solutions that allows real people, real businesses, and their communities to thrive. Serving communities with treasury management and lending services, consumer client products, digital consumer banking, and innovative financial technology services, Lead Bank is the first choice for those looking for a future banking partner. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, yet serving clients digitally throughout the United States, Lead Bank is known for being a small business advocate, having outstanding client service, and creating financial pathways for those, who in the past, have been unbankable. 2020 member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), an international network of banking leaders worldwide committed to advancing positive change in the banking sector. For additional information, call (816) 220.8600 or visit http://www.lead.bank/
About Kansas City Art Institute
Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) is a college of art and design awarding a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 13 majors. Founded in 1885, it is Kansas City’s oldest arts institution. KCAI’s mission is to prepare gifted students to transform the world creatively through art and design. Learn more at www.kcai.edu or follow us on Twitter: @KCArtInstitute, on Facebook, and Instagram at KCArtInstitute.