City of Columbia, MO
08/20/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/20/2026 07:16
Commemorative Poster unveiled and artist honored at the 2026 Celebration of the Arts
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2026
CONTACT: Kristin Gadsden
Program Specialist
Office of Cultural Affairs
City of Columbia
[email protected]create new email
573.874.6387
Commemorative Poster unveiled and artist honored at the 2026 Celebration of the Arts
(COLUMBIA, MO) - The City of Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs hosted the annual Celebration of the Arts fundraiser for the Columbia Arts Fund Aug. 19 at the State Historical Society of Missouri. The event was hosted by Mayor Barbara Buffaloe and Dr. Lucas Buffaloe. At the event, the 2026 City of Columbia Commemorative Poster was unveiled and a special recognition was made to a member of the arts community.
Since 1992, the City of Columbia has produced an annual Commemorative Poster to communicate the creativity and beauty of Columbia. Local artist and educator Lisa Franko's "Missouri Star Quilt" appears on this year's special "America 250" edition poster. The poster is available for $20 each at the Convention and Visitors Bureau located in the Walton Building at 300 S. Providence Road. Previous year's posters are also available for $10 each.
Since 2015, the City has also paid special recognition to a member of the arts community, a volunteer or staff member, who has made a significant impact on one of the City's funded arts organizations. Out of the many worthy submissions, the Office of Cultural Affairs was thrilled to recognize Judith LeFevre for her contributions to the arts with a presentation made by Mayor Barbara Buffaloe.
LeFevre is a lifelong musician, educator, and advocate for the arts in Columbia, serving 27 years as a band director with Columbia Public Schools. She helped launch Children's Grove, a local nonprofit dedicated to inspiring a climate of kindness through education and the arts.
She is also a longtime board member of Greenhouse Theatre Company and co-created the Arts Initiative at Missouri United Methodist Church, connecting the church with local artists and organizations.
For more information about the Celebration of the Arts, visit the City's website at CoMo.gov/cultural-affairs/programs-and-services/celebration-of-the-arts/.
Since 1992, the City of Columbia has produced an annual Commemorative Poster to communicate the creativity and beauty of Columbia. Local artist and educator Lisa Franko's "Missouri Star Quilt" appears on this year's special "America 250" edition poster. The poster is available for $20 each at the Convention and Visitors Bureau located in the Walton Building at 300 S. Providence Road. Previous year's posters are also available for $10 each.
Since 2015, the City has also paid special recognition to a member of the arts community, a volunteer or staff member, who has made a significant impact on one of the City's funded arts organizations. Out of the many worthy submissions, the Office of Cultural Affairs was thrilled to recognize Judith LeFevre for her contributions to the arts with a presentation made by Mayor Barbara Buffaloe.
LeFevre is a lifelong musician, educator, and advocate for the arts in Columbia, serving 27 years as a band director with Columbia Public Schools. She helped launch Children's Grove, a local nonprofit dedicated to inspiring a climate of kindness through education and the arts.
She is also a longtime board member of Greenhouse Theatre Company and co-created the Arts Initiative at Missouri United Methodist Church, connecting the church with local artists and organizations.
For more information about the Celebration of the Arts, visit the City's website at CoMo.gov/cultural-affairs/programs-and-services/celebration-of-the-arts/.
Attachments:
City of Columbia Vision
Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.
City of Columbia Mission
To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.
-30-
City of Columbia, MO published this content on August 20, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 20, 2026 at 13:16 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]