The Whitesboro Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) hosted its 18th Shauney P. Lucas Community Art Show on March 13, 14 and 15 at the Jimmie O. Rector Community Center.
“This year’s show was wonderful!” PARD Director Penny Renfroe said of this year’s event. “We had a total of 277 pieces of art from 115 different artists. The total number of visitors to the show was 255, down just slightly from last year’s total visitor count of 260.”
Renfroe continued, “We are so grateful. To see our community come together with 277 works of art is wonderful! Each year when we begin receiving art on Monday, we have no idea what to expect as far as participation; we just pray that artists will take the opportunity to share their works. Similarly, we don’t know how the community will respond in visiting the show until we open the doors and they come. We are blessed to have many gifted members, and we enjoy displaying their work. We are already looking forward to the 2027 show and making plans.”
The show began on Friday evening with a reception for the public to meet the artists.
“This show is really valuable for our town, and I am always so thankful to see people show up to view the art and celebrate the talent,” Renfroe said. “It is always inspiring to hear artists’ stories, their histories and learn about their creative process. I enjoy watching the different artists interact and learn from one another. 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 children, youth and adult divisions. They cast their ballots for favorites in drawing, painting, photography, 3D and multimedia categories for different age groups. Ribbons were placed on the winning pieces and displayed for the remainder of the show, and winning artists were awarded plaques. (See below for a list of award winners.)
The reception was co-hosted by the GFWC History Club of Whitesboro.
“The ladies of this organization add so much to this event by hosting the reception,” Renfroe said. “We are so fortunate to have them as co-sponsor for the art show! They are great hosts for the entire weekend.” The show continued on Saturday and Sunday with an opportunity for the public to view the display.
The Parks and Recreation Department’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. 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,” Renfroe said.
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.whitesboro.org/pard.
Viewers’ Choice Award Winners:
Adult Painting
Forgiven by Cynthia Harris
Adult Drawing
Sammy 2026 by Garrett Thurman
Adult Photography
Birthday Sunset by Anita Reed
Adult 3D
Hearts and Crosses by John Looye
Adult Multimedia
Elephant by Gwen Seargeant
Honorable Mentions
Kim Dickson, Anita White, Cindy Hawkins, and Laura Filip
Youth Painting
Duck-odil by Presley Lawson
Youth Drawing
A Girl and Her Horse by Shelby Riddle
Youth Photography
Reflection Pool by Jacob Hughes
Youth Multimedia
Octopus by Sarah Childress
Youth 3D
Girl on Leaf Hoping for Prince Charming by Linda Sweet
Honorable Mentions
Nina Sweet, Janci West, Emily Welles, and Sydnie Duhon
Children Ages 3 to 7 Years
Porchipine by Kiah Melia
Children Ages 8 to 10 Years
Nana’s Flowers by Charlotte Reed