Monday, September 15, 9:00amFriday, October 10, 9:00pm
PAT GERHARD, “So Many Buildings”, Acrylic Paint, Clay, Pencils and Crayons, 16 x 20 Inspired by Adelaide’s drawing, Grade 1, The Lexington School
REIMAGINE is an annual art program produced by Arts Connect that celebrates and nurtures the creativity of elementary school children in Fayette County by transforming their drawings into professional artworks created by local Kentucky artists. The program showcases a diverse range of artistic styles and mediums, highlighting the imaginative potential of young artists and the skill of local artists who reinterpret their work.
• Student artwork inspires diverse creations: Drawings from children at ten different schools serve as the foundation for 52 artworks in the exhibition, reflecting a wide variety of art styles such as still life, abstraction, surrealism, and more.
• Local artists transform drawings into unique pieces: Kentucky artists use various media, including wood, metal, gemstones, collage, and fabric, to create extraordinary art from simple student sketches, demonstrating their creativity and craftsmanship.
• Our primary focus is the students: We intentionally aim to encourage, recognize, and nurture the artistic talents in our emerging young artists by elevating their work to gallery exhibition status and giving them credit and recognition for being the source of inspiration.
• FUNDRAISING SUPPORTS ART EDUCATION: REIMAGINE functions as a fundraiser with auction proceeds benefiting participating schools for art supplies, the contributing artists, and Arts Connect as the program administrator, promoting ongoing advocacy and support for the arts in Lexington.
Arts Connect wishes to acknowledge Lori Barnett, the founder of the REIMAGINE program, who successfully managed it from 2014-2019 as part of her Creative Alliance for Arts Education nonprofit organization’s efforts.
Sincere thanks also goes to the Lexington Central Public Library, which has graciously agreed to host this exhibition. They have generously provided installation expertise and shared other resources, for which we are very grateful. Much credit and appreciation also go to our art educators, who are such an important part of this effort. Long may they champion the arts in schools! This year’s teachers have been involved from the beginning, organizing and submitting work from their students, and remaining engaged as the program progressed.
But most of all, we want to thank this year’s artists. It’s mind-boggling to see what work results from the inspiration of a simple drawing. Imagination is a wonderful thing. Thank you all for so willingly participating in this feel-good, win/win/win program. We love you all!
Kate Savage, Founder/Executive Director, ARTS CONNECT
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS 2025: Brenda Cowen Elementary, Cardinal Valley Elementary, Christ the King School, Julius Marks Elementary, The Lexington School, Mary Todd Elementary, Millcreek Elementary, Picadome Elementary, Rosa Parks Elementary, Sayre School
Original drawing by Adelaide, Grade 1, The Lexington School
So Many
Buildings
BY: PAT GERHARD
Acrylic paint, clay, pencils, crayons, 16 x 20
Value: $200
“I love cities and buildings too! And the perspective of this drawing is inspiring!”
PAT GERHARD: As an artist, she loves to use many materials and use a mixture of materials in one piece. Playfulness is sometimes a goal.
Original drawing by Nolan, Grade 3, Rosa Parks Elementary Nolan’s Chimeric Dragon in Flight
BY: RAYMOND PAPKA
Mixed media - wax, resin, images and repurposed objects on wood panel, 12 x 13.5 x 2
Value: $450
“I was inspired by the sophisticated graphic nature of the work by such a young artist.”
RAYMOND PAPKA is a retired neuroscientist who loves to work in mixed media employing encaustic medium, images and repurposed objects. He loves the challenge of puzzling together images and assemblage with objects to tell stories. His work derives inspiration from science, history, music, graphics, current social issues and great minds in history.
Original drawing by Sarah Jane, Grade 4, Picadome Elementary Call Now!
1-800-COSMIC-CLEO
BY: STACIE KUSHNER
Mixed media assemblage with hand-sculpted clay fortune cookies and interactive removable magic 8 “eyeball” 34 x 34 x 9
Value: $1,000
“The eyeball in Sarah Jane’s artwork drew me in immediately. My brain screamed ‘Magic 8-Ball!’ - and boom! An outer space fortune-telling alien was born. What’s wild is that a few weeks into working on the piece, a fellow artist asked if I was going to make the eyeball out of something unique. I wanted to keep it a surprise, so I asked what she would use...and without missing a beat she replied, “a magic 8-ball! Total cosmic mind-read! That kismet moment sealed the deal. The universe wanted this alien to tell fortunes, and who am I to argue with fate?”
STACIE KUSHNER creates pieces that invite viewers into whimsical, otherworldly spaces. She enjoys experimenting with mixed media and unconventional materials to bring her visions to life. This is her first time participating in REIMAGINE, and she is thrilled to honor youthful creativity in this unique way.
skushner0@gmail.com / (859) 753-5554
Original drawing by Char-Lee, Grade 1, Julius Marks Elementary Sky Dance
BY: CATHY VIGOR
Mixed methods screen print, 20 x 26
Value: $400
“I was drawn to the circles and lines in Char-Lee’s image. It made me think of circular elements in the sky and the many fascinating astrological events that have happened this year, with more to come.”
CATHY VIGOR is a retired art teacher and practicing artist who specializes in printmaking and fiber arts. Her work has been widely exhibited in group and solo exhibits. She is a juried member of Kentucky Crafted, Bluegrass Printmakers, and the Fiber Guild of Lexington. Vigor maintains a studio at Main and Walton Artists Studios, 645 East Main Street, Lexington, KY 40508.
cathy.vigor@gmail.com / (859) 699-1159
Original drawing by Felix, Grade 3, Julius Marks Elementary
Meeting of the Minds
BY: CHERYLE WALTON
Mixed - acrylic and watercolor 24 x 12
Value: $850
“In the Wizard of Oz, the scarecrow longed for a brain. The fact is he had a huge heart and cared for others. I knew I wanted to use this symbol of love (in my eyes), to hopefully bring a little love back into our world.”
CHERYLE WALTON is a Kentucky artist based in Lexington. She works in a mixed media technique of an acrylic color under painting, covered with black watercolor. The image is redrawn using a paintbrush dipped in water and used to remove the black in the areas she wants to create the finished image.
cheryle2857@gmail.com / (606) 560-3811
Original drawing by Yvana, Grade 2, Picadome Elementary Katesilee’s
Starry Eyed Cat
BY: SARAH HELLER
Mixed media, 18 x 28
Value: $900
“I chose the drawing of a cat because they’re both mysterious and expressive— elegant one moment, ridiculous the next. This one began as a playful sketch and quickly took on a life of its own, somewhere between a guardian, a diva, and a dream.”
SARAH HELLER is an artist, former architect, and longtime art teacher who uses drawing as a way to explore, explain, and imagine. Her work turns sketches into stories—mixing precision with play, and curiosity with bold visual ideas. She lives and works in Lexington.
Original drawing by Isla, Grade 2, Christ the King School Isla’s
Sea Creature
BY: CYNTHIA ROBERTS
Sterling silver, freshwater pearls, assorted gemstone beads 2 x 4
Value: $700
“I instantly loved the ‘sea’ feeling this drawing gave me. My imagination went straight to a bit of repoussé and my endless collection of gemstone beads.”
CYNTHIA PIERCE ROBERTS is the residing goldsmith/gemologist at A Small Extravagance jewelry studio here in Lexington. Specializing in adornment via fine gemstones and any precious metal, Cynthia has been producing works professionally since 1977.
Original drawing by Presley, Grade 5, Christ the King School EDNA’S
HOME - KINDNESS
BY: LAVON WILLIAMS
Oil on Wood, 24.5 x 28 Double-sided
Value: $600
“This drawing reminded me of my mother. She loved to tell stories. Her name was Edna. Her stories were always about people being kind. She stressed kindness in everything she taught.”
LAVON WILLIAMS was a Kentucky Wildcat basketball star in college, known widely by Kentucky fans as part of the legendary team that won the 1978 National Championship. After college, he played professionally overseas before returning to Lexington, where he worked at a local middle school as a teacher’s aide, a mentor, and a coach. Somewhere in all that activity, as he matured, he was driven and compelled to produce art. It became an obsession. LaVon’s work has a “culturally-specific vocabulary” that is both edgy and austere, with an emphasis on the importance of music, from jazz to blues to sacred, with sculpture from small to very large.
lavonsfolkart@aol.com / (859) 948-6306
Original drawing by Henry, Grade 5, Rosa Parks Elementary Indra’s Web
BY: LINA THARSING
Oil on canvas 20 x 16
Value: $1,200
“Henry’s drawing is so outstanding that I felt it had to be included in this show. I am very impressed by the level of detail. At first I tried to adhere to Henry’s original composition but eventually I arrived at my own interpretation of the beauty and complexity of the spider web. The title, ‘Indra’s Web’ refers to the concept of Indra’s Net, a powerful Buddhist metaphor which illustrates the interconnectedness of all things.”
LINA THARSING is a Lexington based artist whose work has been shown across the US. Her most recent exhibitions have been a three person show at The Loudon House and two person show with Scroll in NYC. She was recently featured in BRINK, a literary magazine as well as Burnaway. Notable exhibitions she has been included in are Weighted Blanket at Heaven Gallery, Chicago, Spring at PRIMARY in Miami, Florida, The Dallas Art Fair, and Small Paintings at Venus Over Manhattan. She has been featured in Garden and Gun Magazine, Whitehot Magazine, Burnaway, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Oxford American, and Hyperallergic.
Original drawing by Rhett, Grade 5, Brenda Cowen Elementary By the Pond
BY: JENNY KITTINGER
Acrylic, 28 x 28
Value: $220
“I was drawn to the pond and mountainscape as a break from the chaos of life. I felt connected to the stillness of nature and being alone by the pond to fish.”
JENNY KITTINGER is a mixed media artist and high school art teacher. She loves creating surreal landscapes and collages. Her work is often colorful and uses expressive line to unify the composition. She enjoys movement and boldness of color.
Original drawing by Juliet, Grade 4, Rosa Parks Elementary Juliet’s
Winged Wonder
BY: CONSTANCE GRAYSON
Textiles 24 x 18
Value: $400
“I was drawn to the movement of the shapes and the fact that I saw an abstracted bird in her drawing.”
CONSTANCE GRAYSON is an artist living and working in Lexington, KY. Her work, whether textiles or painting, is largely influenced by the quilts made in her childhood by her Appalachian aunts. Constance has exhibited nationally and internationally and has her work in many corporate and private collections.
Original drawing by Cooper, Grade 3, Christ the King School
Living Life
BY: LIZ SWANSON
Acrylic on canvas
13.9 x 11
Value: $200
“I was immediately drawn to the elegance and simplicity of this delicate still life, and was intrigued by the unusual plants depicted. The flowers in the original artwork look like Venus flytraps and other succulents, which inspired me to take a closer look at the flowers that grow in my own garden. I was equally in love with the exuberance of Cooper’s mark-making–so many wondrous lines and patterns and line weights! It’s an absolutely beautiful drawing.”
LIZ SWANSON is an Associate Professor of Architecture who has been teaching at the University of Kentucky since 2001. Her projects span a variety of scales and media, and represent a lifelong love of drawing, painting, collage and mixed media in 2- and 3-dimensions. Her work centers on drawing as a physical and psychological process of construction that reveals and directs the social, cultural, political and spiritual aspects of the human experience. She is fascinated by the many ways that line, color, and materials influence the reading of form and space.
“An earnest representation of this everyday object immediately grabbed me. The evident constraint of the drawing allowed for a wide-open interpretation with scrounged paper as a medium.”
JOHN ANDREW DIXON creates intricate collage artworks by repurposing discarded paper, ruined publications, and other devalued remnants of ordinary culture. He finds that anything cast off has the potential to be reinvigorated and infused with new significance. Cutting and pasting offers a universal response, and he is rewarded by watching a sense of discovery in others, similar to his experience when exploring the potential of paper.
Original drawing by Dequey, Grade 4, Julius Marks Elementary youreternalwave
BY: THERESA CARPENTER BEAMES
Colored pencil/watercolor, 18 x 24
Value: $700
“I saw three surfboards which felt random and different from the other drawings... (though they were all delightful). Someone very important to me was a surfer in California...he treasured that time with Mother (the ocean)...so it was an opportunity to think about him as I interpreted Dequey’s creative work.”
THERESA CARPENTER BEAMES is a media producer and an emerging artist.
Theresa began her art practice in the spring of 2021 focusing on colored pencil and paper. Her compelling, biomorphic and organic shapes, and use of pattern and saturated color create dynamic and energetic compositions that often reference the people, music and memories of her life. Her pieces have been translated to textiles, fashion and paper products currently sold at KMAC Contemporary Art Museum in Louisville, KY.
Theresa is married to Ramsgate, England native, Roger Beames, and they are parents to daughter Ella Thomas Beames, of Manhattan, NY.
Original drawing by Noah, Grade 7, Sayre School Beautiful Mystery
BY: KATHLEEN O’BRIEN
Acrylic and graphite, 11 x 14 x 1
Value: $300
“This artwork appealed to me because of its strong composition, sensitive lines/marks, and its mystery. For these reasons, I intended to pay close attention and honor Noah’s aesthetic. There is much more to say about this, so I wrote a blog; check it out.”
KATHLEEN O’BRIEN has been a professional artist since 1968. For many of these years, she manifested her vision using oil, watercolor and collage. As a student of soulful expression, she now explores acrylic.
Original drawing by Evan, Grade 4, Rosa Parks Elementary Downtown Funk
BY: AMANDA BRIDGES
Mixed media on canvas
24 x 24
Value: $500
“In Evan’s drawing I saw impressions of a city skyline intertwined with a bird’s eye view of the meandering blocks and neighborhoods composed within. At the same time, the clean lines were reminiscent of Escher’s depictions of spatial illusion and perspective. I wanted to bring Evan’s art into my abstracted, layered world, blending the hard edges of a city with the intermingled and multi-layered cultures and traditions of the communities within it.”
AMANDA BRIDGES is an interdisciplinary multimedia artist based in Lexington, Kentucky. Her art translates personal, complex internal dialogues into visual statements. She creates integrated, layered surfaces which invoke connections to organic and tactile elements. Such things call forth memories and emotions within ourselves, which she seeks to incorporate into her art. Amanda’s work is best described as instinctive and thoughtful.
Original drawing by Lana, Grade 4, Millcreek Elementary
Speak on Command
BY: AMIEE COMPTON
Oil paint and newspaper, mixed media on canvas, 18 x 24
Value: $350
“The past few paintings I have completed, I have been experimenting with surrealistic figures, oddly enough, specifically hands. So, when I saw this drawing of a dog shadow puppet hand, I was immediately drawn to it, as it felt right up my alley. The perfect mix of quirky and whimsical inspiration for a piece.”
AMIEE COMPTON is a mixed-media student artist from Pikeville, KY, currently pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art at Morehead State University, graduating in May of 2026. Recently she has been experimenting with surrealistic motifs and the human figure- exploring expression in correlation to identities, ideologies, and the passage of time, and how it’s used. Compton is interested in using color as a means of storytelling to set a certain mood and using newspaper clippings (or other collage material) and cherry-picked headlines that push the narrative for each specific piece.
aleann05@outlook.com / (606) 205-9410
Original drawing by Skyra, Grade 3, Rosa Parks Elementary
A Journey’s End
BY: MEL SNYDER
Acrylic on canvas, 30 x 24
Value: $350
“I was immediately drawn to this drawing as soon as I saw the stars! I could envision the person reaching up with yearning, and the lady reaching out to them with elegance. The two characters in it felt like a fairytale story, a story that I was determined to tell. A meeting of fate; were these two searching for each other, or was it by chance? What will they do now that they’ve met?”
MEL SNYDER is a self-taught artist who started drawing in her early teens as a way to express her emotions. Drawing has always been therapeutic for her, so on top of using it as an emotional outlet it is also her favorite pastime.
Snyder loves astronomy and all things outer space! She thinks the cosmos is as intricate and fascinating as the human psyche. Stars, like us, tell stories of the past, but stories can also be made however we’d like.
Original drawing by Rowan, Grade 4, Christ the King School
A
Wonky
HumanHis Name is Rowan
BY: NOAH POIRIER
Mixed media, acrylic on wood 14 x 11
Value: $550
“This drawing is a portrait of me! At least that’s how it feels. I’ve been a Wonky Human my whole life. Forever feeling out of place, confused, and ashamed of being wonky. It’s the struggle for many artists/creatives growing up. This drawing just gets it. There’s something so honest, so silly, and so unapologetically weird about it, and for that I absolutely love it. I’d love to hear from Rowan himself just how Wonky Human came to be!”
While born Canadian, NOAH POIRIER had his upbringing in the United Statespredominantly in Lexington, Ky. He has since moved back to Canada working as a professional artist in Caraquet, New Brunswick.
He graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design (Savannah, GA) in 2019 with his BFA in illustration. He began his career as a freelance illustrator/designer, but has since become known more for his work as a painter/fine artist. His unconventional mixed-media approach allows him to hybridize his love for illustration and expressionist painting.
Original drawing by Khalil, Pre K, The Lexington School Make a Face
BY: PAT GERHARD
Acrylic paint, pencils, crayons, cardboard, 17 x 12
Value: $200
“This drawing gives the feeling of being free and happy. That is why I chose it!”
PAT GERHARD loves to work in mixed media with a lot of colors. She has been creating art in some form for a very long time.
patgerhard@gmail.com / (859) 533-3802
Original drawing by Dell, Grade 1, The Lexington School
Dell Puts the Spin on It
BY: SUZONNE HALL BUNCH
Acrylic on canvas
36 x 36
Value: $1,440
“Each line in Dell’s drawing is so confidently and loosely placed. I really like its energy and movement through the flow of the fabric and the expression on this excited animal’s face. It looks like it’s flying and I imagined hearing the fabric fluttering and snapping while the animal’s jowls flapped wildly in the wind. It’s a wonderful and lively drawing!”
SUZONNE HALL BUNCH is a painter, graphic designer, and small business owner of Fly Dog Studio. She specializes in acrylic portraits, brand development, and marketing. With an art studio in Lexington, KY, Suzonne creates paintings that portray a feeling of joy through bright colors, textured strokes and creative narratives. Her focus is on pets, people and moments in time.
Original drawing by Evelyn, Grade 2, Christ the King School Happy Dog
Clay, 7 x 7 x 4
Value: $400
“In this drawing the dog was sad. That is why I chose it.”
GAYLE CERLAN is a teacher/artist residing in Lexington, KY.
cerlan@aol.com / gaylecerlan.com / (859) 361-1801
BY: GAYLE CERLAN
Original drawing by Miles, Grade 4, Picadome Elementary Fortnight
BY: CHARLES ELLIS
Oil on canvas
32 x 24
Value: $2,000
“The crown and the “8” made me think of an image - a photograph I had taken of a pool while on vacation for two weeks. Leisure and pleasure and playing the game “Fortnite” while on vacation for a fortnight.”
CHARLES ELLIS is an artist originally from Lexington who lives in Old Louisville. A colorist, abstract and realistic oil painter, Charles likes to find beauty and other worlds in painted imagery.
Original drawing by Kaylee, Grade 3, Rosa Parks Elementary Fly
BY: COLIN DOHERTY
Oil, 18 x 18
Value: $800
“The composition and mystery involved in Kaylee’s drawing was advanced, intense, and asked many questions. It attracted me to attempt a pass on my own accord.”
COLIN DOHERTY was born in 1969 in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a contemporary painter and installation artist currently based in Lexington, Kentucky. Working primarily in oil paintings on linen, canvas, and board, Doherty is recognized for his distinctive figurative language. His work often incorporates organic materials, such as earth elements, which he grinds into the oil paint, adding a unique texture and depth. He is best known for creating haunting landscapes filled with ghostly figures, using line, shape, and vivid color to produce compositions that evoke both intimacy and distance, drawing viewers into a dynamic exploration of space.
Original drawing by Laurie, Kindergarten, Millcreek Elementary
Broken Blossoms
BY: CHARLES ELLIS
Oil on canvas
32 x 24
Value: $2,000
“When I saw Laurie’s drawing, I was inspired to arrange a still life of flowers that were broken but still beautiful.”
CHARLES ELLIS is an artist originally from Lexington who lives in Old Louisville. A colorist, abstract and realistic oil painter, Charles likes to find beauty and other worlds in painted imagery.
Original drawing by Jack, Grade 2, Julius Marks Elementary 3 Outs
BY: GRAHAM POHL
Marker and acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20
Value: $900
“The piece seems to have a strong emotional content. The suggestion of urban forms is intriguing, particularly in juxtaposition to the jagged circle. I saw explosion, and the various textures elsewhere in the piece brought to mind Keith Haring’s work.”
GRAHAM POHL’S professional life was primarily as an architect doing custom residential design. Every project was unique and fun. He always painted, and when he stopped doing architecture he delved into painting, and the passion he had for design happily shifted to painting. Graham has been married for 43 years, has 2 sons and 2 grandchildren. That’s where real passion lies, but painting works too.
grahampohl@gmail.com / (859) 576-6305
Original drawing by Lily, Grade 3, The Lexington School
Reflections
BY: JASON STURGILL
Digital illustration, 24 x 18
Value: $400
“I have been developing a new series of works based around the idea of reflected images and this drawing was perfect for me to reimagine.”
JASON STURGILL attended college at Morehead State University where he focused on drawing, graphic design, and printmaking. Upon graduation he accepted an art teaching position in central Kentucky. He completed his Master’s of Art in Education degree from MSU and a second Master’s of Art degree from the University of Kentucky. Jason has been working as an adjunct professor at Midway College and teaches with the University of Kentucky’s Fine Arts Institute. He is a current member of Kentucky Crafted and The Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen and resides in Lexington, KY with his wife, Alyssa.
Original drawing by Laurel, Grade 4, Picadome Elementary
Cabin Beyond the Veil
BY: HALEY MCDANIEL
Gouache, 20 x 18
Value: $600
“The serene nature of this piece and its depiction of joy in solitude is what drew me to it.”
HALEY MCDANIEL has the art handle “Whimsy Cosmos” because through her art she feels she can add magic and whimsy to the world around her; especially in the times we live in. She is an illustrator by nature. It’s always allowed her the freedom to bring the different worlds in her mind to life. She is a muralist, a painter, and a sculptor. Haley mostly works with acrylic but loves to work with clay, colored pencil and gouache. Art has been her passion for as long as she can remember. She hopes you enjoy your visit through the whimsy cosmos.
haleymcdaniel20@yahoo.com / (859) 771-0835
Original drawing by Anne Claire, Grade 5, Christ the King School Cockeyed
BY: GEORGIA HENKEL
Flashe on screen
30 x 30
Value: $500
“The sly gaze, confident stance, cheery flowers and pantaloons in this fabulous chicken appealed to me. It’s a simple composition but full of energy and fun.”
GEORGIA HENKEL has played with art materials most of her life. She taught art to young children for many years as a way to maintain a playful spirit and embolden children to become confident, creative explorers. Her work explores conflict and resolution through the use of organic materials and non-traditional surfaces.
georgia.henkel@gmail.com / (859) 576-4871
Original drawing by Ethan, Grade 1, Julius Marks Elementary Ethan’s Magical Monorail
BY: DAMON FARMER
Acrylic on canvas
18 x 24
Value: $2,500
“Ethan and I seem to have a mutual interest in trains. In his unique and imaginative railroading scene he created a locomotive like no other. I enjoyed using his visual clues to portray that interesting machine as literally as I could, including his perspective-free track, which sparked the idea of retaining the look of Ethan’s art by designing his train as a whimsical monorail.”
DAMON FARMER began painting in acrylics in 1966. Since receiving his art degree at Berea College in 1975 he has also worked in a variety of other media, including animation, museum exhibits, illustration, theatrical set design, murals, public art projects and internationally as a grandmaster sand sculptor and muralist. Damon and his wife, Beth Kirchner, live in rural Woodford County.
Original drawing by Estella, Grade 4, Millcreek Elementary
Lionestella’s Guide to the Multiverse
BY: JASON AKHTAREKHAVARI
Mixed media
24 x 24
Value: $500
“In this drawing I saw these eyes filled with wonder and confusion. They seemed to be longing for something, as if they needed to solve an existential mystery. The curvature and offset geometry of the face created what I viewed as a fantastical animal-human hybrid. It reminded me of things I had drawn in the past. I knew that this was a mystery I wanted to unravel.”
JASON AKHTAREKHAVARI is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a BA in History. Jason has worked in the field of arts in health for the past 14 years. He currently manages the University of Kentucky HealthCare, Arts in HealthCare program. Jason also seeks to engage the local community and expand awareness of the health and wellness benefits of the arts. He spends much of his free time creating mixed media visual art, singing, songwriting and authoring poems for his long-standing poetry site, poems365.com. When not immersed in the arts, Jason likes to travel and explore the outdoors.
Original drawing by Lucy, Grade 2, Christ the King School
Catch A Falling Star
BY: CATE WAGONER
Mixed media
19.5 x 15.5
Value: $300
“I chose this simple drawing because it told the story which made me think of a childhood rhyme that I said and taught to my children.”
CATE WAGONER is a Southern Artist and Curator who loves it all. Usually painting in oil, this piece was created using acrylics. She tried to include all of the elements of the original drawing.
Original drawing by Dominique, Kindergarten, Mary Todd Elementary Friends?
BY: LUCINDA CHAPMAN
Latex paint
14 x 11
Value: $270
“There was a basic joy of drawing that shined through in Dominique’s artwork!!!! What can be better?”
LUCINDA CHAPMAN is a mixed media artist with a BA degree in Ceramics and a MA in Design. She has had over 80 solo and juried art shows, winning awards in national and international shows. In 2002 she was juried onto the Register for the National Museum for Women in the Arts in Washington D.C.
Original drawing by Kylie, Kindergarten, Julius Marks Elementary Mudpuppy and Friend
BY: CHRISTINE LEVITT
Fabric, beads, yarn, and wire
41 x 21 x 6
Value: $500
“I loved the expressions on the faces of the two friends and the image was screaming to become a 3D piece of artwork!”
CHRISTINE LEVITT is passionate about art, nature and sustainability. She is inspired by her garden and the creatures it attracts. With a foundation in Fiber Arts, she also explores other media and is driven by a love of vibrant color, rich texture and the unexpected harmony when it all comes together.
Original drawing by Sharoline, Grade 4, Cardinal Valley Elementary
Bouquet in
the Window
BY: SONJA BROOKS
Paper collage, mixed media monoprints
14 x 11 framed
Value: $220
“This delightful and wonderfully simple drawing left space for imagination. The window placed high up on the wall made me wonder what was outside of it. I decided to bring it down to the level of the vase and take a peek outside.”
SONJA BROOKS creates colorful and textured mixed media artworks that celebrate people and events, or draw attention to social, cultural and environmental themes. Equally as often, though, she just has fun playing with color and texture and creating imagined scenes. She combines paper, fabric, and traditional art media with a variety of new and found objects to create collages, mixed media constructions, soft dolls, jewelry and altered books. Often for small works, Sonja features U.S. and foreign postage stamps. Sonja maintains a studio in downtown Lexington, Kentucky and exhibits in the region.
sonjabrooksart@gmail.com / (301) 536-8589
Original drawing by Olivia, Kindergarten, Mary Todd Elementary Striped Loyalty
BY: NANCY HALL
Acrylic paint
12 x 12
Value: $295
“I love dogs and I love to paint them. I loved Olivia’s playful style because it’s the complete opposite of my own work style. Her artwork inspired me to let loose and be playful as well.”
NANCY HALL was born and raised in Buffalo, NY where she studied Graphic and Fine Arts. Drawing and painting has always been a part of her world, from unconscious doodling to drawing and painting portraits and landscapes. She loves to capture the beauty and emotion she feels about nature, and or the soul of animals or people. Being able to express this with paints or pastel chalks and have the viewer feel what she feels or sees is the ultimate inspiration. It’s a passion that is hard to put into words.
nzportraits3@gmail.com / (716) 861-7030
Original drawing by Lauren, Grade 5, Brenda Cowen Elementary Living
Prism
BY: PAMELA MCDANIEL
Oil, 24 x 20
Value: $900
“In reimagining Lauren’s work, the chameleon, for me, becomes a symbol of joy in transformation. Resting deep in the jungle, he wears the colors of his world with pride—no longer hidden, but celebrated. This painting is a reminder that harmony with nature is not about disappearing into it, but about belonging so deeply that one’s true colors shine.”
PAMELA MCDANIEL earned degrees in both fine art and education, and has spent many years teaching high school art and photography. Now, as a full-time artist, her paintings come from a need to honor and understand our connection to nature. She believes that an intimate relationship with the natural environment is built into our psyche and it is her hope that her paintings will help stir a response to that connection. Everything in nature has a story to tell.
Original drawing by Katherine, Grade 3, Christ the King School Joyride
BY: CRIMSON DUVALL
Black clay, porcelain slip, 14 x 11 x 3
Value: $250
“Not only do I love the style in which the subject matter was drawn, but it made me imagine a world of giant birds and cars that need to experience what it feels like to fly.”
CRIMSON DUVALL is a Kentucky-based artist who has been working as a professional artist since 2008. She makes paintings, ceramic sculptures and one-of-a-kind pottery that embodies her unique style. She is inspired by color, nature, stories and the human experience.
Original drawing by Finn, Grade 1, The Lexington School Fever City
BY: BRYCE OQUAYE
Mixed media, 20 x 16
Value: $300
“I enjoy cityscapes and making inorganic objects feel organic or natural. This drawing made me think of my influences.”
BRYCE OQUAYE is an illustrator, comic artist, and animator whose work blends hip-hop, anime, and street art influences into bold, narrative-driven visuals. Through his studio MADHUNDREDS, he creates original comics, animation, and illustration projects, exploring themes of identity, culture, and social commentary. A resident artist at the Lexington Art League, Oquaye’s portfolio spans collaborations with publishers, brands, and local collectives, as well as solo works like The Negro’s Guide to Peaceful Protest and PENGAME Vol. 1 along with comic projects like Hard Justice. Committed to community and mentorship, he uses art to inspire and connect with audiences of all ages.
Original drawing by Finn, Grade 1, The Lexington School Finn’s Great Adventure
BY: MARTY HENTON
Collaged decorative papers
11.25 x 15.5
Value: $250
“The characters have bigger than life personalities in this artwork. They’re fun, lively and full of creativity making an energetic composition come to life!”
MARTY HENTON is an Artist/Educator and Community Arts Advocate. She retired from UK Art Education and was the former director of the Living Arts & Science Center. She creates and makes art in collage, mixed media, and encaustics.
mkhenton@gmail.com / (859) 489-6653
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Original drawing by Gwenyth, Kindergarten, The Lexington School
“Gwenyth’s work made me think of outer space, and how it can serve as the biggest canvas for our imagination. Yes, we have amazing photos from rovers, satellites, and high-powered telescopes, but space largely remains the unknown. We think we know what certain places in our galaxy look like from our media consumption, but I’d guess it’s just a speck of all the endless possibilities that exist in the cosmos. I love that both myself and my inspirational artist can imagine/reimagine those possibilities.”
BRIAN CONNORS MANKE is an amateur at most everything he enjoys (art, photography, music), and the element of the unknown that comes along with not being an expert. A lifelong lover of crayons, he never understood why adults are taught to believe that crayons are only a medium for children to work with. His abstract and often child-like creations constantly seek to dispel that myth.
Original drawing by Rose, Grade 5, Sayre School Inspection and Collection
BY: SARAH DETRAZ
Mixed media
12 x 9
Value: $400
“I am usually drawn to work that has some sort of nature element. I return to themes that include insects and think this is because I can clearly envision a quirky scenery that gives me the freedom to develop a whimsical illustration. Rose’s drawing was flooded with insects arranged in a shape that I typically use in my illustrative work. I appreciate the variety and quantity of insects and shapes that she drew.”
SARAH DETRAZ grew up in Lexington, KY. She’s entering her 9th year teaching high school visual art. In between mothering and teaching, she tries to keep her hand moving to create drawings for others and herself.
sarah.detraz1@gmail.com / (859) 327-2740
Original drawing by Caroline, Grade 7, Sayre School Travellers Inn
BY: MARCIA CONE
Mixed media assemblage 21 x 11 x 5
Value: $300
“Caroline’s drawing was whimsical and telling a story that I felt compelled to recreate.”
MARCIA CONE is a Lexington based artist, and a collector of found and purchased objects which oftentimes find their way into her work, whether an oil portrait, sculpture, or assemblage.
marcia.p.cone@gmail.com / (859) 492-1100
Original drawing by Nik, Grade 4, Christ the King School Nik & I & Butterflies
BY: HELENE STEENE
Mixed media on wood 12 x 12 x 1.5
Value: $550
“I love butterflies and the detailed rendering of Nik’s butterfly made me think this artist does as well!”
HELENE STEENE is a Swedish artist who lives in Lexington and does mostly abstract works, often inspired by nature, where she finds beauty and harmony.
She has exhibited extensively in both galleries and museums, and her large scale works can be found in many public spaces in KY. The Apiary, University of KY Hospital, Gatton School of Business, Commerce Lex, as well as many other local businesses, and in private collections around the world. The latest being a 4.5 x 16.5 foot painting in the new Gatton Park on Town Branch in Lexington. She has a studio in the Loudon House.
Original drawing by Arya, Grade 3, Rosa Parks Elementary Radiance
BY: CHRISTINE LEVITT Encaustic
12 x 12
Value: $250
“This simple, graceful flower was screaming to be filled with color.”
CHRISTINE LEVITT is passionate about art, nature and sustainability. She is inspired by her garden and the creatures it attracts. With a foundation in Fiber Arts, she also explores other media and is driven by a love of vibrant color, rich texture and the unexpected harmony when it all comes together.
Original drawing by Jonathan, Grade 3, Rosa Parks Elementary
When the Moon Touched the Earth
BY: BROOKE HARRIS
Acrylic, 40 x 30
Value: $750
“Jonathan’s depiction of a massive moon hanging low in an enormous sky was both imaginative and otherworldly. I was struck by the scale he created: the vastness of the sky and moon contrasted beautifully with the tiny, cozy tents below. It felt like the perfect metaphor for our place in the universe—small, but not insignificant. That sense of awe and wonder, of being held beneath something so grand, was something I wanted to carry forward in my reimagining.”
BROOKE HARRIS is an abstract artist from Lexington, Kentucky. While she received a B.A. in Journalism at Asbury University and an MFA in Creative Writing from Spalding University, she loves using the paintbrush to express language and ideas. She uses acrylic paint to create abstract scenes of time and space. Her work has been showcased in exhibits in Kentucky, including the Kentucky State Capitol, regionally and internationally. Brooke is a teacher at heart and loves showing people that they are creative. She loves to read, write and be outside. She never met a slice of pie she didn’t like.
Original drawing by Alija, Grade 5, Brenda Cowen Elementary
Great Day for a Sail
BY: LINA THARSING
Oil on canvas, 9 x 12
Value: $800
“I was drawn to the fanciful shape of the clouds and the opportunity to paint the ocean. I grew up sailing in the summer in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. We don’t have any mountains there so the mountains in Alija’s drawing started to take on the colors of the islands there.”
LINA THARSING is a Lexington based artist whose work has been shown across the US. Her most recent exhibitions have been a three person show at The Loudon House and two person show with Scroll in NYC. She was recently featured in BRINK, a literary magazine as well as Burnaway. Notable exhibitions she has been included in are Weighted Blanket at Heaven Gallery, Chicago, Spring at PRIMARY in Miami, Florida, The Dallas Art Fair, and Small Paintings at Venus Over Manhattan. She has been featured in Garden and Gun Magazine, Whitehot Magazine, Burnaway, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Oxford American, and Hyperallergic.
Original drawing by Amani, Kindergarten, Mary Todd Elementary Fish Flies into the Sunset
BY: CHRISTINE KUHN
Acrylic, 12 x 9
Value: $250
“Amani’s artwork had an amazing sense of depth; I was unsure what the subject matter was—maybe a building from above with surrounding gardens? As I looked at it, I saw a flying fish!”
CHRISTINE KUHN is a professional muralist and sculptor. Her work can be found in numerous private collections in Europe and the US and has been exhibited throughout the US, in Ecuador, Bulgaria and Venice, Italy. She has completed murals in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Vietnam. She has numerous murals in her home state of Kentucky and neighboring states.
Original drawing by Richard, Grade 3, The Lexington School
A Bird’s Eye View
According to Richard
BY: MICHELLE ARMSTRONG
Paper quilling
20 x 16
Value: $800
“I imagine that Richard drew a landscape inspired by the composition known as a ‘bird’s eye view’. His drawing shows a neighborhood and what appears to be a large bird in the foreground. His drawing inspired me to create my own composition demonstrating a ‘bird’s eye view’. I also incorporated a bird flying over the neighborhood using paper quilling and some creative balance and movement. When I created the neighborhood, I tried to incorporate memories from childhood such as the tire swing in a tree. REIMAGINE gives me the opportunity to see the world through a young artist’s eyes!”
MICHELLE NEWBY ARMSTRONG was the visual arts teacher at Cardinal Valley Elementary school in Lexington, KY for 31 years. As an activist and artist, she combines her understanding of art and the power that it has to bring beauty and convey a message. She has created many public works of art and has exhibited in several local galleries and hosted workshops, and exhibitions. Michelle’s studio is located in LuigART Studios in Lexington, KY. Her artwork is often inspired by nature with the hope that we can learn to work together to create a healthier planet.
Original drawing by Merritt, Grade 2, Christ the King School
I Remember Stars
BY: DAMON FARMER
Acrylic on canvas
20 x 16
Value: $1,600
“Merritt’s theme of a private picnic under the stars is a compelling idea. Her sweet image of a happy girl just enjoying the solitude and the wonder of a dramatic night sky is an inspiring subject that I was happy to reimagine, hopefully retaining the innocence, simplicity and quiet magic of the original.”
DAMON FARMER began painting in acrylics in 1966. Since receiving his art degree at Berea College in 1975 he has also worked in a variety of other media, including animation, museum exhibits, illustration, theatrical set design, murals, public art projects and internationally as a grandmaster sand sculptor and muralist. Damon and his wife, Beth Kirchner, live in rural Woodford County.
“There is a trail in Colorado called the Goodnight-Loving Trail. It runs from north to south and as a kid I used to walk it. I always thought it was a cool name. It was established by Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving in 1866 and became a major route to move cattle from Texas to markets in the north. Isabel’s drawing reminded me of the cowboys who worked the route”.
LAVON WILLIAMS was a Kentucky Wildcat basketball star in college, known widely by Kentucky fans as part of the legendary team that won the 1978 National Championship. After college, he played professionally overseas before returning to Lexington, where he worked at a local middle school as a teacher’s aide, a mentor, and a coach. Somewhere in all that activity, as he matured, he was driven and compelled to produce art. It became an obsession. LaVon’s work has a “culturally-specific vocabulary” that is both edgy and austere, with an emphasis on the importance of music, from jazz to blues to sacred, with sculpture from small to very large.
lavonsfolkart@aol.com / (859) 948-6306
Original drawing by Kaylee, Grade 5, Sayre School Know Your Eggs
BY: MARCO LOGSDON
Hand-cut paper collage and alcohol inks on panel 26 x 26 round Value: $990
“The weirdness of this image, first and foremost caught my attention. The egg as an eye or the eye as an egg? Which came first?”
MARCO LOGSDON studied art with an area of concentration in painting at Asbury College in the mid-80s. He received the Al Smith Fellowship for Visual Arts in 2008. Marco maintains a studio at LuigART Studios in Lexington, KY
ARTS CONNECT is an independent nonprofit that works hard to raise the awareness and appreciation of all the arts in the Lexington community by producing exceptional events like our hugely popular PAINT THE TOWN and ARTS AWARDS LUNCHEON, providing unique programs such as REIMAGINE, offering resources with our monthly OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS bulletin and our ARTISTS’ DIRECTORY, as well as delivering art enrichment services such as our WORKSHOPS, The MOBILE GALLERY PROGRAM and now ART WALKS, giving voice through our lobbying and advocacy efforts along with our bi-weekly ART THROB PODCAST and NPR/WEKU series that bring a spotlight to the efforts of arts individuals in our community,as well as encouraging all creative endeavors and other forms of self-expression.
Fiscal Year 24-25 Arts Connect received $3,156 funding from the Kentucky Arts Council. All other support comes from donations, sponsorships, and registrations, as well as our programs and event ticket sales.
