COMMERCE BANK AND BRUCE R. WATKINS CULTURAL HERITAGE CENTER HOST LOCAL ARTIST

KANSAS CITY, MO - May 16, 2003 - Commerce Bank and the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center present works by Kenneth L. Stanford, Foresight Fine Arts Studio's Artist In-Residence. Stanford's works can be viewed in the Arcade of the Commerce Bank Building, located at 10th & Walnut Street, Kansas City, Mo., beginning May 16th through June 2nd and is open to the public. Parking is available in the Commerce Ban Garage at 10th and Main Street.

"Commerce Bank shares the Heritage Center's enthusiasm for fostering an understanding and appreciation for art in the community," said Robin Trafton, art coordinator for Commerce Bank. "Through this exhibit and our participation with other Kansas City art organizations, Commerce hopes to share in making the art scene a vibrant on in Kansas City."

Entitled "People, Places and Things," the exhibit's works consist of various paintings of city scenes, people and children in day-to-day activities. Also included in the display will be still life paintings.

"My paintings, such as all paintings, are ocular illusions orchestrated by freezing moments in time on a two-dimensional surface," said Stanford. "They allow the viewer to participate in this mark-making process, a chance to visit, discuss, critique, praise and depart with the knowledge, 'I just shared something that cannot ever be repeated.'"

Stanford was born and raised in St. Louis, Mo. He attended the Kansas City Art Institute for a year and transferred to Central Missouri State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree in Studio Art. After a year of postgraduate study at the University of Florida, Stanford took up residence in Florida where he freelanced as a commission artist. Kenneth returned to the Kansas City in December 2002, to participate in Foresight's artist-in-residence program. Kenneth continues to work as a full-time artist creating visual representations of everyday life.

About Commerce Bank
Commerce Bank is the principal subsidiary of Commerce Bancshares Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH), a $13.4 billion regional bank holding company. For more than 135 years, Commerce has been meeting the financial services needs of individuals and businesses. Commerce provides a diversified line of financial services, including business and personal banking, wealth management and estate planning and investments through its affiliated companies. Commerce Bancshares operates across three states with more than 330 locations and also has operating subsidiaries involved in mortgage banking, credit related insurance, venture capital and real estate activities.

For more information contact:
Nancy Levin, APR
Commerce Bank
816-234-2632

Website: www.commercebank.com
e-mail: mymoney@commercebank.com
SYMBOL: CBSH

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