Vanessa Lacy is one of the younger artists at Leopold Gallery, but has been active since 21 and is in many collections, including National Farms, H&R Block, CrossFirst Bank, the private collection of Bill Haw Sr. and many others. She is a full-time painter with a studio in the historic Kansas City Livestock Exchange Building, and her work has even been acquired for a permanent collection by the University of Kansas Health System.

Lacy's journey began when she was selected to be a part of the Missouri Fine Arts Academy during her sophomore year of high school. This program brought together talented young artists from across the state to hone their skills and learn from professionals. From there, she earned her BFA in drawing and BSED in Art Education from Missouri State University, followed by a Masters in Education.

While pursuing her education, Lacy also worked as a professional artist for Bass Pro, creating paintings for their stores and restaurants nationwide. Her talent and dedication caught the attention of the local arts community, and she was selected for a residency at the Arts Incubator and became an Artist INC Fellow.

Lacy's passion for teaching led her to a nine-year career as an art teacher in the Belton School District. However, in 2016, she resigned to pursue her art full-time. She has since been painting in her studio in the Kansas City Livestock Exchange Building, which she has maintained since 2009.

Her work is unique and diverse, ranging from abstract to representational, and she has received critical acclaim for her ability to capture emotion and movement in her pieces. The University of Kansas Health System recognized this talent, acquiring eleven large paintings for their permanent collection.

Lacy's story is a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and following your dreams. Despite growing up in a small town, she was able to cultivate her talent and make a name for herself in the art world. Her success is a reminder that anything is possible with passion and perseverance.