LCC Names Hicks Fall 2024 Latzer Art Award Winner

Labette Community College (LCC) Hendershot Gallery Committee has selected a winner for the prestigious John and Bonnie Latzer Student Art Award for the Fall 2024 semester. The winning artwork is a Ceramic Vase entitled “Whirl of Zephyr Blues” by Ashlyn Hicks, a Sophomore General Studies major from Parsons.

Hicks created the work in Ceramics 2 using the Clay Coil joining technique along with Sgraffito carving into Ceramic Underglaze.  Thinking about the processes used to create her work, Hicks said, “I began by researching natural shapes and textures that evoked an elegant and natural flow that I incorporated into the Sgraffio carving onto the surface of the vase. I really enjoyed being able to model and manipulate the clay as I joined and smoothed the coils while leaving some exposed for texture.”

When reflecting upon her experiences at LCC and in particular the Art Department and Ceramics courses, Hicks stated that, “I really enjoyed having a new instructor in the course and learning techniques that I had not previously been exposed to. Ceramics is a hands-on medium that I enjoyed for its meditative and sensory qualities. I really loved being able to create artwork that is meaningful and has purpose. My time at LCC let me make new friends, challenged me and helped me to have a great college experience.“

Established at the Parsons Area Community Foundation, the Latzer Art Award recognizes exemplary achievement by students in Fine Arts and Graphic Design at LCC. As the recipient of this esteemed award, Hicks will be awarded a $500 scholarship to assist with future tuition and fee expenses. 

According to Burt Bucher, who directs the Studio Art department, "The Bi-Annual Student Art Exhibition at LCC is unique among Colleges and Universities and a delightful display of the creative talent at our institution. The Ceramic work created by Ashlyn embodies the creativity, diligence and dedication of our students and is a fitting choice for the Latzer Award."  

Hicks’ winning artwork will be kept in the permanent art collection at LCC. 

In addition to the Latzer Award, the Gallery Committee presented certificates of recognition to the following "Best in Category" recipients: 

• Best in 2D Design: “Dragon Eye,” by Cayden Helms 
•  Best in Drawing: “Suncatcher,” by Desiree LeCrone 
• Best in Ceramics: “Ancient Mechanism” Coil Pot,” by Adam Vogts 
• Best in Digital Photography: “Tiny Warrior,” by Tabitha Grant 
• Best in Digital Illustration: “Frog Town,” by Gracie Ortega 
• Best in Advertising/Packaging Design: “Man Vs. Dog,” by Madison Jones 

For more information about the Studio Art or Graphic Design Technology program, please contact Professor Burt Bucher at BurtB@labette.edu or Professor Melissa Kipp at melissak@labette.edu.

For information about the Latzer Art Award, please contact Lindi Forbes, Executive Director of the LCC Foundation, at lindif@labette.edu.