The Whitesboro Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) hosted its 16th Shauney P. Lucas Community Art Show, March 8, 9 and 10 at the Jimmie O. Rector Community Center.
PARD Director Penny Renfroe said of this year’s event, “This year’s show was wonderful! We had a total of 326 pieces of art from 148 different artists. The number of pieces was up slightly from last year’s 297. The total number of visitors to the show was 299, up 63% from last year’s total visitor count of 184. We are so inspired! This is one of the largest shows in terms of displayed pieces. And it is definitely the largest in terms of visitors. We appreciate every local artist that submitted his/her work for the community to enjoy. Our small community is blessed to have many talented members and we enjoy displaying their work! We are already looking forward to the 2025 show and making plans.”
This year’s show began on Friday evening with the reception for the public to meet the artists.
“I personally enjoy the artists’ reception because I get to meet the talented people of our community and ask them about their work, their history and their creative process,” Renfroe said. “It’s always meaningful to the artists to see that people notice and appreciate their work.”
Visitors at the reception on Friday evening were invited to vote for the Viewers’ Choice Awards in various mediums for both youth and adult divisions. They cast their ballots for favorites in drawing, painting, photography, 3D and multimedia categories for adults, youth and children. Viewers’ Choice Award winners were:
Adult Painting
Corey Seager 2023 World Series by Rob Jordan
Adult Drawing
Sneak Peak by Garrett Thurman
Adult Photography
Aspens by Sheryn Jones
Adult 3D
Colorado Trout by Mike Case
Multimedia
Patronus by Keisha Head
Honorable Mentions
Ashley Sutton and Cindy Hawkins
Youth Painting
Girl on the Beach by Reagan Sutton
Youth Drawing
Hopper My Dog by Lily Roach
Youth Photography
January Morning by Jancsi West
Youth 3D
3D Chickens by Reagan Sutton
Multimedia
ADHD Brain by Kelly Knowlton
Honorable Mention
Maddison Slater
Children 10 & Under Art
The Alamo by Drake Patterson
Ribbons were placed on the winning pieces and were displayed for the remainder of the show. Winning artists were awarded plaques. The reception was co-hosted by the Whitesboro History Club.
“The ladies of this organization add so much to this event by hosting the reception. We are so fortunate to have them as co-sponsor for the art show. They are great hosts for the entire weekend,” Renfroe said.
The show continued on Saturday and Sunday with an opportunity for the public to view the display.
The PARD’s first art show was held in 2008. The fourth show held in 2011 was renamed for Shauney Lucas, a PARD employee and local artist who was killed in an automobile accident in 2010.
“We enjoy providing an opportunity to celebrate the creativity and talent of our community,” Renfroe said. “Having organized the first Community Art Show with Shauney, it’s such a fitting way to remember her and to continue to be inspired by her life and her talent.”
If anyone has an idea for a community special event, call the PARD office at 903.564.5964. For more information about PARD activities, visit the website at www.whitesborotexas.com/pard.