Labette Community College Visual Art and Graphic Design Technology Departments showcase local talent in Bi-Annual Student Art Exhibition and Name Latzer Art Award Winner

Parsons, KS – Labette Community College (LCC) has named Glee Clark as the Spring 2026 recipient of the Latzer Art Award, recognizing outstanding achievement in the college’s art program.

Clark, an LCC Finance & Operations Associate and art student, received the award for her piece titled “Steel Aesthetic”, which is a monochromatic relief assemblage made from found objects. The work highlights her ability to turn everyday materials into something visually compelling, with a strong focus on texture and form.

While Clark is a member of the LCC staff, she’s also a degree-seeking student. This recognition is especially meaningful as she is celebrating her three-year work anniversary with the college this May.

The Latzer Art Award is presented each fall and spring to a student whose work demonstrates exceptional creativity, skill, and dedication. The selected piece is added to LCC’s permanent art collection, continuing the legacy of John and Bonnie Latzer and their support of student artists.

Presented in partnership with the Parsons Area Community Foundation, the award also includes a $500 scholarship to support the recipient’s educational goals.

Clark’s piece was chosen from entries in the college’s bi-annual Student Art Exhibition, which opened April 20 in the Hendershot Art Gallery, located in the Main Building on campus. The show featured more than 75 works across a range of mediums, including drawing, painting, digital design, photography, ceramics, and sculpture.

In addition to the Latzer Art Award, several students received “Best of Category” honors for their work in the exhibition:

• 3D Design – Glee Clark, White Echo
• Advanced Graphic Design – Abby Upton, Branding
• Art Appreciation – Cal Panek, Mandala
• Drawing – Abby Upton, Lines of Growth
• Illustration – Emma Ferreira, Editorial Illustration
• Page Layout – Lexi Howard, Can AI be your therapist?
• Painting – Adriana Sebastiani, Painting (Series)
• Photo Editing – Emma Ferreira, Photoshop Composite

“The exhibition provides a professional platform for emerging artists to display their work to the public,” said Burt Bucher, Director of the Art Department and Hendershot Art Gallery. “Our students have poured their passion and technical skill into these projects since the beginning of the semester. This show is more than just a grade—it’s a bridge between the classroom and the professional art world. We are always glad to invite the community to see the level of talent coming out of LCC.”

For more information about LCC’s art program or the Latzer Art Award, visit labette.edu.