Lou Marak is a founding member of the Kansas City Artists Coalition; on March 5, 1975 a large group of artists gathered in Philomene Bennett’s and Marak’s studio to address “How the Artist Can Benefit from Centralization.” Overwhelmingly the group felt a self-initiated organization was the only alternative to isolation, elitism, apathy, and ignorance. The ultimate result of that meeting was the incorporation of the Kansas City Artist Coalition in August 1976.

Lou Marak attended the University of Oklahoma, then, after a stint in the army, returned to the Kansas City Art Institute where he graduated in 1958.

Marak’s commercial work can be found in many publications over the years and his extensive paintings and drawings can be found in collections at Hallmark in Kansas City, MO; Muschnic Art Museum in Atchison, KS; the Kemper Museum in Kansas City, MO; Untied Missouri Bank in Kansas City, MO; Mulvane Art Museum in Topeka, KS; Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO and many more commissions.

Marak worked freelance and for Hallmark Cards for 35 years. Along with his role founding KCAC, Marak held the very esteemed title of “Bitching” in 1976.