To the editor:

In a world — and especially a town — where sports are king, a tremendous round of kudos goes to the two young and very talented artistic women who were featured on the front page of Friday’s paper.

The highly competitive YoungArts award demonstrates to society the importance of the arts in difficult times, and why communities should keep, support and elevate the arts in all of its school programs. These outlets are sometimes easily available to musicians and dramatists, but for other fine arts they are less accessible.

My congratulations to the artists Lola Brown and Adele Erickson, their instructors and mentors, and to the Lawrence Journal-World for highlighting their efforts and their rewards!

Sharon L. Hettinger,

Lawrence