Louis Copt

Artist Louis Copt had been painting full-time since 1984. He received a BA in Art from Emporia State University in 1971. He had also studied at the Art Students League in New York City and taken classes in drawing and painting at the University of Kansas.

In 2011, Copt was named “Governor’s Artist” by the Kansas Arts Commission. Since 1974, the Kansas Arts Commission recognizes individuals in the arts who have made outstanding contributions to the arts and culture in Kansas. An expert panel selects the honorees, and the awards are given by the governor and the Kansas Arts Commission. The award is meant to elevate the public profile of the arts in Kansas and encourage others to achieve and sustain high standards of excellence in artistic achievement and support.

Louis lived and traveled in Europe for a time. In 1991, he traveled with the Kansas Geological Survey on a 16-day re-photographic expedition through the Grand Canyon as their official artist. He led painting workshops to the Kansas Flint Hills, and art travel programs to Washington DC, Los Angeles and Paris, France.

Louis worked with oil, acrylic, pastel, and watercolor. Although his main emphasis was on landscape painting, he also did still life and portrait work. Copt also taught classes at the Lawrence Arts Center and at the University of Kansas.

He was a board member of the Lawrence Arts Center, past President of the Lawrence Arts Commission and Lawrence Art Guild. Copt was a member of the Kansas Watercolor Society, the Kansas City Artists Coalition and the Kansas City Barbecue Society.

Prior to his death in May 2025 after a brief illness, Louis and his wife Phyllis were planning on a move to Italy, where Louis had just obtained his Italian citizenship.  The Lawrence community mourns the loss of such a bright talent and wonderful human.