This week's Art Talk is written by Jessica Slaughter, NCLAC Executive Director. NCLAC's Art Talk column runs weekly in the Ruston Daily Leader.
November 21-24 is the16th annual Holiday Arts Tour. Tour-goers should make their first stop at the Dixie Center for the Arts to view a group exhibition, sponsored by Landry Vineyards, featuring each of the Holiday Arts Tour artists. You'll be able to see the well-crafted variety of works available, from calligraphy to photography, handmade books to oil paintings, soaps to wood-turned jewelry.
In addition to the exhibition at the Dixie Center, there will also be a voting box for the People's Choice Winner. In an effort to reward our talented artists, we will be offering two awards this year: Juror's Choice and People's Choice. Upon looking at the Dixie Center exhibition, and/or after making stops at each Tour site, be sure to cast your vote for your favorite artist.
The Tour will begin again this year on Thursday, in partnership with the City of Ruston's Main Street Christmas Open House. Artwork will be on display for the special Open House hours of 5-8pm. Stop in and visit with merchants and get a jump on the weekend.
Friday's Tour hours will be 4-8, so you'll have time to head downtown after work. At the Dixie Center, Landry Vineyards will be holding a wine tasting. Artists will be on site in each Holiday Arts Tour location. From 5-8pm at seven downtown Tour sites, musicians will be performing for visitors: Olsen String Trio, Grace Notes Quartet, Ken Carter Quartet, Cain Budds, Elizabeth Vidos, Bethany Raybourn, and Fred Beavers with Sara Sullivan. At Pastry Moon, there will be a round-robin style Poetry Reading at 6pm, featuring four regional poets: Errol Miller, Genaro KyLy Smith, Veronica Schuder, and April Honaker.
Saturday will be a big shopping day, with artists present in each of the Tour sites from 11-5. Many will be offering demonstrations, such as screen printing, spinning, flint napping, and calligraphy. Holiday Arts Tour is a wonderful event, as it gives the public a unique opportunity to see and hear about art processes that may be unfamiliar.
This year’s Sprout activities will be at Stitchville, Brush Hour and Pastry Moon from 1-4pm on Sunday. At 4:30, head over to the Dixie Center for the Arts for a free Community Variety Show featuring LG Dance Studio, Percussive Arts Institute of Ruston, Dixie Dancers, GSU Choir, and Ruston Community Theatre.
Makers Union - Jake Dugard, Joey Slaughter
Kelly Moore Bag - Nicole Duet, Stephanie Dugard, Olsen String Trio
Serendipity - Leigh Buffington, Grace Notes Quartet
Lewis Boutique - Christiane Drieling
Chartreuse Pear - Dorene Kordal
Embellishments - Suzy Berry, Shannan Inman
The Frame Up - Hooshang Khorasani
House of Flowers - Julie Crews, Casey Parkinson
Sundown Tavern - Todd Cloe, Emily Ezell, Ken Carter Quartet
The Fabric Shop - embroidery class on Thursday, quilting class on Saturday
Rodeo Boutique - Whitney Caskey
Patton's Downtown - Allen Tuten, Geri Taylor, Cain Budds
Rogers Furniture and Gifts - Cindy Gibson, Julie Roane
Fine Line/Stitchville - MC Davis, Frank Hamrick, Elizabeth Vidos
Pastry Moon - Bonnie Ferguson, Lora Lee, Frank Kelley, Jr.,Poetry Reading
Rumo's Barber Shop - Rachel Johnston, Bethany Raybourn
Turbo Goat - Peter Hay
The Lodge - Sonny Monteleone, Beavers & Sullivan
Studio 301 - Kit Gilbert
Art Innovations - on-site art installation
PAIR - sculpture created during a collaborative workshop
Townsend House Gifts - Laura Glen Lawson, Michelle McGeehee
NCLAC's Holiday Arts Tour is supported in part by a grant from Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the Shreveport Regional Arts Council.
