Drink and Draw...Tomorrow!

drink&draw

Check out what's happening over at Fine Line Art Supply in downtown Ruston (207 North Trenton.)   In addition to offering art supplies for the region's artists, Fine Line also supports many community arts programs. With NCLAC, for example, Fine Line was our title sponsor for this year's Holiday Arts Tour.   And now look what they're doing!   Note: this is not a class, but simply an opportunity to get together with other artists in a shared creative space.  Place: Fine Line Art Supply and Print Lab, 207 N Vienna

Date/Time: Friday, Dec. 12, 6pm

HAT 2014: Dixie Center for the Arts and Makers Union

The NCLAC office is ready to begin our array of descriptions for this year's Holiday Arts Tour artists. We will be listing each of the artists who will be participating this year, so that you can familiarize yourself with the talent and works that will be on display. Mark your calendars for November 20-23!

The first post for HAT 2014 is 212 N Vienna: the Dixie Center for the Arts. This location will serve as the information center for the Tour, and will be displaying a group art exhibit. The exhibition will feature most, if not all, of the artists in this year's Tour! The works will be a perfect way to get a visual idea of the variety of art available. The pieces will be for sale, and will remain on display until January 5th.

Also in the Dixie Center will be the ballot box for the People's Choice Award, to be given at the close of the Tour on Saturday evening. As you enjoy each Tour day, be sure to consider who your "favorite" artist is, and cast their name in the ballot box. The artist with the majority of votes will receive a cash award. Two of the artists in the Dixie exhibition will receive Judge's Choice Awards as well, judged by an art professional outside of Lincoln Parish.

Last year's Artist Awards winners were Julie Crews, Judge's Choice Non-functional Work; Casey Parkinson, Judge's Choice Functional Work; and Hooshang Khorasani, People's Choice Award.

Make sure the Dixie Center for the Arts is one of your stops on the Tour, and don't forget to cast your vote.

Next door to the Dixie is Makers Union, an artists' collective where "makers" gather to share ideas and create. At this spot will be Frank Hamrick, displaying his handmade books and award-winning photography. Frank is an associate professor at Louisiana Tech University in the School of Design. His work mixes photography, storytelling, handmade books and found objects. Frank received his BFA from the University of Georgia and his MFA from New Mexico State University. NPR has written about Frank's handmade books and in 2012, Oxford American Magazine listed Frank as one of the 100 Superstars of Southern Art. His work is housed in collections including the Georgia Museum of Art and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans. And yes, he lives right here in Ruston, LA, and will be here during the Tour selling his artwork.. Frank is a wonderful teacher and a thoughtful artist; be sure to stop in and say hi.

Another element at the Makers Union site will be Bethany Raybourn's performance on Friday evening. Bethany is a singer-songwriter from our region whose alt-country originals are excellent... and  her voice is magic. If you've never heard her, don't miss this chance.

Holiday Arts Tour Sites and Artists

NCLAC is pleased to announce its artist roster for this year’s 17^th annual Holiday Arts Tour. This year will be the largest arts tour on record, with 35 Tour sites, and a wide array of performing arts offerings. The following downtown merchants will be displaying artists' works for the 17th annual Holiday Arts Tour, November 20-22. Musical performances, as well as demonstrations by artists, will take place at select locations.

Carriage House: Patricia Jones, Catherine McVea, Annie Richardson, Laura Lewis, Becky Bennett, Nan Cole, Beth Holland

Townsend House: Laura Glen Lawson

Sundown Tavern: Todd Cloe, Emily Lawson; music by Dan Sumner Quartet

House of Flowers & Cake Shoppe: Julie Crews, Leigh Buffington

The Frame Up: Hooshang Khorasani

Embellishments: Chene Clay Company

Lewis Boutique: Christiane Drieling; music by Rhapsody Quartet

202 N Vienna: Adrianna Speer, Meredith McGregor, Zachary McCauley, Cathy Crow, Jenna Fincher, Hannah Cooper McCauley, Megan Landis; Piney Hills Quilt Guild; poetry reading; Sprout Sunday activities

Kelly Moore Bag: Joey Slaughter; music by Monty Russell

Makers Union: Frank Hamrick; music by Bethany Raybourn

Dixie Center for the Arts: group exhibition of Holiday Arts Tour artists

Art Innovations: Jackie Cochran, Francis Carson

Studio 301: Jonathan Donehoo, Dean Dablow, Peter Jones, Patricia Jones, Annie Richardson, Kit Gilbert, Catherine McVea, Phoebe Allen Mathys, Dianne Douglas

Turbo Goat Sporting Goods: Shawn Hood

Turbo Goat Bicycle Shop: Whitney Caskey

Rumo's Barber Shop: Todd Maggio

Pastry Moon Soaps: Rickey Pittman, Maureen Hinton; music by Rickey Pittman

Frame of Mind: Peter Hay

Beau Monde: Rachel Johnston

Fine Line Art Supply: Sienna Haralson; music by The Taylor Outfit

Stitchville: Allie Bennett

Re/Max Results Realty: Marguerite Hogue, Emily Gautreaux; music by Elizabeth Vidos

Accent of the East: Ruth Yung, Michele McGehee; music by Meihan Guo

The Children's Shoppe: Nina Stephens

Chartreuse Pear: Caroline Youngblood, Dorene Kordal

The Fashion of Ruston: Shalis Stevens, Lacey Stinson; music by Karl Puljak

Main Street Exchange: Maggie Jones Boudreaux, Shelly Nealy Edgerton; music by Cain Budds

Lagniappe Embroidery  & Gift Shoppe: Allen Tuten, Sonny Monteleone

Social & Leisure: Alice Morgan

Delta Day Goods: Richard Kordal

Park Avenue Antiques: Loretta Owens

Blue Wire Electronics: music by Stiff Necked Fools and the Bluesaholics

Rodeo Botuique: Cheyenne Morrow

Social Bites of Ruston: Nicole Duet

The Fabric Shop: Allison Vestal

A Round-Robin Poetry Reading will be held on Saturday afternoon with readings by poets Errol Miller, Veronica Schuder, April Honaker and Genaro KyLy Smith.

Sprout Sunday Projects will  include a book reading by a local children's author,  fiber arts projects, ornament making, and more.

A Community Variety Show will be held Sunday afternoon at the Dixie Center for the Arts featuring performances by the following: Elizabeth Vidos, Mike Sullivan Dance Studio, Marc Faulkner, Meihan Guo, LG Dance Studio, Ruston Community Theatre, and Grambling University Choir, with Emcee Joel Sharpton

More details about Holiday Arts Tour will be added as the date approaches. Follow along with news about the Tour on our facebook page.

NCLAC’s Holiday Arts Tour is supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts council and administered by the Shreveport Regional Arts Council.

New Brush Hour Schedule...

NCLAC Artist Member Christiane Drieling has announced this year's Brush Hour Schedule. Christiane is a wonderful teacher, and she offers interesting projects for children and adults. For registration and more information please call Christiane  at 318-255-7422, or e-mail: christiane.drieling@gmail.com.

Classes for Grown-Ups

Sculpting Faces in Clay

September 17–24 (2 weeks)

Wednesdays, 9-11am or 7-9pm

Sculpture is one of my favorite art forms, and I love to share what I know about it. In this course, we will focus on the human face, on position and proportion of features, and how to bring out certain expressions. This time, we will work with self-hardening artist clays. – If you have taken my previous “Sculpting Faces” class, please bring your paper mache model.

This is a class for new and returning students.

Fee: $ 35 + $ 10 for supplies.

Amazing Stamps – How to Make Them

October 1–8 (2 weeks)

Wednesdays, 9-11am or 7-9pm

I will show you how you can create fantastic stamps from a variety of materials and share a few surprising printing ideas with you.  We will start with easy, yet effective, cutting techniques, and then proceed with carving more intricate designs into rubber. These stamps can be used to make beautiful stationery, wall art, clothing and accessories, linens, even jewelry.  Making stamps is so much fun. Even if you have taken this class before, you will enjoy finding out about more great stamp-making ideas.

This is a class for new and returning students.

Fee: $ 35 + $ 10 for supplies.

Amazing Stamps – How to Apply Them

October 15 – November 12 (5 weeks)

Wednesdays, 9-11am or 7-9pm

Now that you have created all these amazing stamps, you are going to use them for making a variety of unique items.  We will incorporate the stamp images into larger designs and create rapports, while combining them with various painting media and techniques, or adding stitching and beading. Projects include scarves, pendants, pillows, note cards, boxes, and/or bowls.  – Please bring all of your handmade stamps to this class.

This class is for students who have taken the class “Amazing Stamps – How to Make Them” before.

Fee: $ 80 + $ 30 for supplies.

Wreathe the Wreath (weekend workshop)

Friday, November 28, 7-9pm,

and Saturday, November 29, 10am – 12pm

In Germany, preparing the advent wreath for your home marks the beginning of the Christmas season. The decorated wreath will be hanging from the ceiling or sitting on the coffee table, and the fragrance from the fir branches will add to the festive atmosphere of the season. Four Sundays before Christmas Eve the family will gather to light the first Advent candle; they will enjoy each other's company, enjoy homemade Christmas cookies and hot tea, and sing or listen to Christmas music. Every following Sunday one more candle is lit until all four are shining bright.

In this weekend class, I will show you how to make a  classic advent wreath from natural greenery with all the traditional trimmings, so that you will be ready to light the first candle at home on November 30^th.

Fee: $ 35 + $ 15 for supplies.

Stars!

December 3

Wednesday, 9-11am or 7-9pm

Dressing up the windows of your home for the holidays is an essential part of German Christmas traditions.

In this class I will share with you how to make stunning window decorations from large sheets of colorful transparent paper using intricate folding techniques. This specialty paper is not available here, therefore I have brought authentic materials from Germany, especially for you!

Fee: $ 20 + $ 5 for supplies.

After-School Classes for Children and Teenagers

Drawing (10 years and up) - N E W  C L A S S !

September 16 – November 11

(9 weeks)

Tuesdays, 4-6 pm

This is going to be a fun and varied class with lots of captivating projects where the young artists will learn and practice in detail the essential drawing concepts.

They will explore the choices of shading, line variety, and blending, and learn about perspective, symmetry, and composition.

In addition to working with pencils,  the students will also work with water color, pastels, and ink as I show them line-and-wash or resist techniques, and how to use dip pens.

Fee: $ 150 + $ 25.

Medieval Times (8 years and up)

October 3-17 (3 weeks)

Fridays, 4-6 pm

The kids will study typical medieval colors and patterns and take inspiration from them for their own artwork. They will paint beautiful ceramic goblets, and sew and decorate medieval belt bags.

Fee: $ 50 + $ 15 for supplies.

(More) Crazy Dream Houses (6 years and up)

September 19

Friday, 4-6 pm

Lots of you have asked me, if I could do this course project again. Of course, I can!

For this collage project, a shoe box will be transformed into a house. The kids will decorate the walls and floors and make all the furniture and appliances they need for their home. They will cut, glue, and paint, while working with fabrics and papers, ribbons, wire, plastic things and wooden parts, egg cartons, bottle caps, and lots of other cool stuff that I have in my studio. I can't wait to see what the children will come up with this time!

Fee: $ 20 + $ 5 for supplies.

Walking with Lanterns (6 years and up)

December 2

Tuesday, 4-6 pm

For this year's event the children are going to create beautiful lanterns, shaped like an owl!

Younger children (4 or 5 years old) are also welcome to this class, if at least one parent will attend to help her or his child.

The idea behind lantern walk comes from an old German tradition: In late fall, when the days get shorter, German children like to gather to take their (handmade) paper lanterns for a walk through the night while singing old songs to the stars above. This tradition is still popular and quite magical, and something I would like to share in its entirety with your children. – As an option, parents, siblings, and friends are invited to come and join the children at 6 pm for an illuminated lantern walk through the neighborhood (about 20 min), and enjoy some German cookies and hot cider afterwards.

Last year, lots of families came together to spend the cold but heart-warming evening hours with each other in a very special atmosphere. I look very forward to sharing this joyful time with you.

Fee: $ 20 + $ 10 for supplies.

“Wake up to Art” for Preschoolers (4-6 years)

Cats on Strings

October 13 (Columbus Day, no school)

Monday, 9 am – 12 pm

The children will have fun making a sweet or a spooky cat marionette.  This cloth marionette has three strings only and is easy to operate for little hands.

Fee: $ 30 + $ 10 for supplies and snacks.

My Family

November 10 and 14

(2 days; no-school at MSR)

Monday and Friday, 9am – 12 pm

Getting ready for Thanksgiving, each child will create a large relief sculpture of her or his family – including pets, loveys, and (imaginary) friends! The kids will work with cardboard and wood pieces to build the relief structure. Using paint and oil pastels, I will show them how to create a fascinating blackboard effect. These wall pieces are quite personal and always turn out amazing.  They make great gifts, too!

If you would like a “complete” family made by your child, please send a list of all the family members that you would like to be included.

Fee: $ 60 + $ 15 for supplies and snacks.

Brush Hour, Christiane Drieling, 803 Glendale Drive, Ruston, Louisiana

Gallery Crawl in Monroe

Just down Interstate 20 in Monroe is a Downtown Gallery Crawl this Thursday night. These are great evenings that are worth the short drive east. from Ann Bloxom Smith:

Thursday, August 7, is another chance to see great local art with the opportunity to purchase original pieces—as well as to visit with friends and neighbors, enjoy

the beautiful downtown areas of Monroe and West Monroe, hear good music, and partake in “cool” food and drink during this hot month. More than sixty cool, eclectic artists are members of the Downtown Arts Alliance, which, along with its sponsors, produce the Downtown Gallery Crawl every other month on the first Thursday, 5-9 pm.

UPSTAIRS gallery will be a good starting point. It’s upstairs, of course, at 135 Art Alley (N. 2^nd Street) in Monroe. Two guest artists will show an extremely innovative, extremely COOL version of storytelling via video and mixed media. Austin Bantel and Kelsea McCrary will be collaborating on this show called “Watch the Throne,” a commentary on how we show and tell through digital media. They’ll be giving an artist talk at 7 pm.

Right next door is the Big Room, which welcomes “cool” visiting artists Kay McDonald, Lacey Mitcham, and Alyssa Posey showing paintings and mixed media work, and Josh Mitchell with functional and sculptural woodwork made predominantly from reclaimed materials.  Resident artists include Rick Sikes exhibiting oil portraits; Christen Parker, paintings; Victoria Smith, narrative illustrations; Emily Caldwell, collages; and Amy Ouchley, nature-inspired jewelry. Betsy Putnam, a new resident artist, will exhibit her mixed media work. As a special treat, Putnam will also show work upstairs at Cotton Restaurant.

Sugar Gallery, 133 Art Alley, will have something for everyone: mixed media aluminum and alcohol ink art by Stacy Medaries; award-winning photography by Burg Ransom; Mary Thompson’s oil paintings; acrylic paintings by Leah Smith Reitzell; and watercolor and mixed media art by Melanie Douthit. Sugar Gallery will also host photographer William Holley in the loft area.

MAD Art Gallery at 130 Art Alley will welcome three guest artists at this Crawl. Lora Lee, a local metalsmith/artist living in Calhoun, Louisiana, will be showing the beauty of creating with salvaged materials including coins, copper, and paper. Her sculptures will show women in various forms: the Maiden, the Mother, the Warrior, and the Dreamer. She will also have some of her handcrafted forged jewelry on display. Second, Heather Ramsey Miles is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Louisiana at Monroe with a concentration in Ceramics. After many years in the banking industry she decided life would be more fulfilling as a full-time artist, creating and helping other people unlock their creative potential. In addition to ceramics, Miles works with wood, paint, sculpture, welding, and sewing. Finally, a special guest artist, Cynthia K. Cloud, will be featured in the foyer of the gallery with her “Sea Scapes” sculptures—each completely unique and natural. These pieces have no dyes added and are waterproof so that they can be displayed outdoors or indoors.

Luna Blue Yoga Studio and Gallery, 428 DeSiard Street in Monroe, will be showing a mixed media series of large-scale portraits--a solo show by Ian Blaylock

titled "Mixed Emotions." He will give an artist talk at 6 pm, explaining his art and answering questions. The series is about the pains, obstacles, and successes of life told through the faces of women.  He says, “My hope is to give insight that struggles are a natural part of life, offering the opportunity for us to get to know ourselves better and to learn about our strengths.  Then we can become happier and more confident people."

The Palace Gallery on DeSiard Street will show a body of work titled A Portrait of Mississippi, by Erin Austen Abbott, from Tupelo, Mississippi. She studied photography at the Museum School of Fine Arts in Boston and at the Photographic Center Northwest in Seattle. She has had shows in several European countries as well as across the United States. Her work is even studied in the art curriculum at the University of Milan in Milan, Italy. She is also the creator of the “One Night Stand Motel Art Show Series,” a series of art shows transforming a motel and its rooms into a one-night art show, giving artists a chance to show their work in a non-traditional setting. Erin has had her work published in Esquire, Teen Vogue, Alternative Press, LA Times, Uppercase, and Southern Spaces.  Erin is also the owner of Amelia, a shop on the historic Oxford square, and is currently living in Water Valley, Mississippi.

Other Monroe galleries that will be open and displaying new art are the DOWNSTAIRS gallery and Arender Studio, both on Art Alley. Arender will be displaying art by Joshua Chambers, a Shreveport artist working in mixed media.

In downtown West Monroe, more COOL art will be shown at two new galleries as well as at the oldest and largest art co-op in Louisiana—Ouachita River Art Gallery—all three conveniently located on Trenton Street (Antique Alley). To add to the convenience for art lovers, the trolley will be running all evening, giving free rides among the galleries on both sides of the river.

One of the new galleries is Sacred Expressions, 314 Trenton, West Monroe, where owner Lori A. Brown will be exhibiting her own work including various media. She is a licensed counselor and art therapist, using art as a method of helping others. The second new gallery is Hamilton House, at 318 Trenton.

Finally, the featured artist for the Ouachita River Art Gallery’s Crawl is Margaret Mays Ellerman of Winnsboro. Ellerman is an art educator, teaching classes at Franklin Parish High School. Her show “Between the Lines” is the culmination of a yearlong study of making hand-decorated paper and artist-altered commercial papers for use in sketchbooks and collage paintings and working with continuous line drawing. She says, “In looking for a way to utilize contour and gesture drawing to portray humor in my work, I hit upon the idea of using my drawings, paint, decorated papers, glue, and words in mixed media paintings.” Her work has been accepted and has won many awards in national and regional art competitions. The show will hang at the gallery through the month of August.

The weather may be hot, but these shows will be COOL! And so are the sponsors. Led by Creed and Creed Law Offices, sponsors include Bancorp South, Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, Sir Speedy, Northeast Louisiana Arts Council, the News-Star, KEDM Public Radio, the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Delta Style, Restaurant Cotton, Atmos Energy, Heck Law Firm, Rawls DeSigns, Community Trust Bank, Cross Keys Bank, Hollis and Company Jewelers, Marsala Beverage, Lavalle Salomon Law Offices, and Charles Kincade Law Offices. Many thanks to them!

The Horizontal Line...At The Carriage House

One of our artist members, Patricia Tait Jones, is holding a class at her wonderful art space, Carriage House Art. See the details below: The Horizontal Line: Exploring the Landscape

This class is designed to push the experienced (mid level) painter and to introduce the novice to beginning and finishing a painting. All levels will be accommodated in this workshop.

Painting will be done en plein air in the neighborhood of The Carriage House. We are outside not because there is any advantage in subject matter, but because there is an urgency and immediacy to painting where the light is changing and time is moving.

Emphasizing loose and direct painting, alla prima that shakes us from our preconceived rituals, and put us solidly into the moment.

An advantage of this is we become more child like and learn experimentation and play…no “finished trophy” paintings.

Just continuing our journey through painting.  The horizontal line in sight…

Instructor:  Patricia Tait Jones

Registration:  Class size is 8. Reserve your space early. Ensure your space now with a $100 deposit. Payment of the remaining $150 is due by April 10, 2014

Material list will be given to each member when signing up for the class.

Carriage House Art

April 25-27, Fee $ 250

Friday 4:00 – 7:00

Saturday 10:00 – 6:00

Sunday 10:00 -12:00

location:

101 E. Maryland

Ruston, LA 71270

318-436-1077

NCLAC Member News: Brush Hour Classes for Summer

Coming up at Brush Hour, with NCLAC member artist Christiane Drieling: Art from Scratch – Art camp for children 6 and up June 17-21, Monday through Friday, 1-4 pm In this class, the children will learn how to be creative – literally! First, we will teach them how to make paper. Then they will make their own set of brushes, and finally they will paint with their handmade brushes on their handmade paper. And to top this off, the children will also build frames for their masterpieces. Fee: $ 100 + $ 15 for supplies

Handmade Beads – Art camp for children 8 and up June 24-28, Monday through Friday, 1-4 pm Beads can be made in so many ways from so many materials. We are going to make clay beads, paper beads, felted beads, herbal beads, and fabric beads. Then we are going to combine them with seed and other small glass beads and create unique pieces of jewelry. Fee: $ 100 + $ 10 for supplies.

Playtime! – Art camp for children 8 and up July 8-12, Monday through Friday, 1-4 pm The children will learn how to build a marionette from wood parts and fabric and discover how to play it. They will also build a little stage and props from cardboard. Finally, we will write short scripts together and perform them. Fee $ 100 + $ 15 for supplies.

Paint something! – Art camp for children 10 and up July 15-19, Monday through Friday, 1-4 pm The participants can choose their projects – jewelry boxes, picture frames, chalk boards – and get to know the process from preparing the unfinished item to detailed decorative painting. Depending on their individual skill level, I will teach them how to paint simple yet effectful repetitive patterns, and how to translate and incorporate their own icons and symbols. Fee: $ 100 + individual costs for supplies.

Milk and Eggs – Art camp for children 6 and up July 22-26, Monday through Friday, 1-4 pm You will be amazed what you can make from milk and egg cartons! I am going to show the children how to transform the most common package materials into masks and crowns, flower bouquets and birdhouses, and even a pirate ship! Fee: $ 100 + $ 10 for supplies.

Back to School – Art camp for children 10 and up July 29 – August 2, Monday through Friday, 1-4 pm Get back into the mood with cute sewing projects for school. The participants will discover the relaxing effect of sewing by hand while making book covers, little pouches, and a pencil roll. As they go, they will learn a variety of decorative stitches and how to make appliqués. Fee: $ 100 + $ 15 for supplies.

If you would like to register, please call Christiane at 255-7422 or send an email to christiane.drieling@gmail.com

Member news, and other regional art updates and opportunities

It's spring, and the whirlwind of activity has my spirit full. Today's post is full as well, so let's get started with the news!

Member News:

First up, Hooshang Khorasani currently has a solo exhibition in Bossier City at 1800 Prime in Boomtown Casino, as part of Bossier Arts Council's exhibition series. His April 4 reception includes wine-tasting and a $15 entry fee.

Jerry Berg, of Louisiana Tech University, will be exhibiting at Livaudais Studio in Monroe for the April 4 Downtown Gallery Crawl. New works will be shown for this one night only event, and Jerry will give an artist's talk at 6pm.

Congratulations to Christiane Drieling of Brush Hour Studio, who has been hired to teach art at Montessori School of Ruston. If your child attends Montessory School of Ruston, they will learn so much from Christiane.

Jake Dugard, from Louisiana Tech's SoA Graduate program, will be interning at Hatch Show Print this summer in Nashville. Way to go, Jake!

Dorene Kordal of Fabulous Felt has been invited on an all expenses paid trip to Peru Moda because of her award winning wool felt stitch sampler. Peru--whoo-hoo! AND, Dorene will be blogging about her experience here on our blog upon her return.

At the Louisiana Tech Annual Student Show, currently on display in the School of Art, three NCLAC members won Red River Paper Honorable Mention Awards: Sophia Maras (our recently-moved Gallery Coordinator), Peter Hay and Casey Parkinson. Congratulations!

Next, our very own technical writing intern, Jennifer Downs, was awarded the opportunity to present a paper at the Sigma Tau Delta conference in Portland, Oregon last week. We are proud for you!

Calls for Entry:

Interactive Art Exhibition presented by Alexandria Museum of Art Friday, May 10, 2013, 4–9pm & Saturday, May 11, 2013, 9am–7pm SUBMISSION DEADLINE: April 11, 2013 Alexandria Museum of Art is seeking artists to participate in the first annual Interactive Art Exhibition taking place on public sidewalks, green spaces, and streets along the riverfront area of downtown Alexandria during the 2013 Annual Louisiana Dragon Boat Races™. Drawing over 10,000 attendees and 1,000 race participants, Louisiana Dragon Boat Races™ on the scenic Red River viewed from the amphitheater in downtown Alexandria, Louisiana is a spirited day of racing features more teams, food, elaborate costumes, and entertainment on and off the water than ever before. The Interactive Art Exhibition presented by Alexandria Museum of Art will feature art that is highly interactive and invites participation, inspired by local community themes and the spirit of the Louisiana Dragon Boat Races™. Artists will have an opportunity to create new work, showcase their creativity to a large audience, and interact with the public, alongside food vendors, live music, and race spectators. Interactive art may require human interaction to complete the piece; involve the community and the audience in its creation; prompt the viewer to act; incorporate multi-sensory elements; prompt people to interact with one another; respond to participants and its environment; cause people to reflect on the larger community; respond to the community’s culture, needs, and environment in an innovative and unique way. Honorariums in varying amounts will be awarded to each selected artist or collective. For more information on how to submit a proposal: https://www.facebook.com/events/478623825526828/

NCLAC's is now accepting artist entries for our exhibition spaces at Crescent City, Dixie Center Lobby, the Bridge Project with Bossier Arts Council, and early notification for large group shows in a new space being renovated at Louisiana Tech University's Student Center. Here is more information. The application is available in 'the box' at the bottom of your screen.

Fundraisers:

The Twin City Art Foundation and the Masur Museum of Art are asking artists to help with our annual fundraiser. The Off-the-Wall Fundraiser will include a silent auction. Please consider contributing a work of art to this important cause! The money raised will help fund upcoming exhibitions, educational outreach, and educational programming for adults and children. It's your last chance to participate in this worthwhile and, frankly, very fun event! See more details here.

NCLAC's Keep the Arts Afloat fundraiser is here! This annual event makes the arts council possible. We sell only 250 tickets, for $100 donations, and then we give away $5000. It's great odds, and it's a great way to make a tax-deductible donation. See any NCLAC board member to make your donation and get your ticket, call our office t 255-1450, or stop by the Dixie Center for the Arts at 212 North Vienna, Monday-Thursday from 9-3.

Take a Look--Member News!

One of our member partners, Carriage House Art, just sent in their April schedule of classes. It is as follows: Carriage House Art is going to offer beginning painting classes in April. We are going to meet on Tue. afternoons from 3 to 5 at the Carriage House, 101 E. Maryland Ave. Ruston.

The dates will be April 2, 9, 16, and 23. April 30 will be a make-up day. Cost of all 4 classes would be $80 with all materials provided. If you are not sure you can make all 4, you may pay per class at a rate of $25 per class.

Classes will cover all the basics using design principles, composition, working with wet paint, and glazing / finishing a painting. We will look at lots of art to discover YOUR inner artist... answering questions like: How do I want to paint and what is my personal color palette?

I'll set up a still life each week with lots of objects to choose from. The more experienced painters may choose a more intricate composition and others may work from a few simple objects.

Hope to hear from you with questions and interest in painting. It's loads of fun!

Patricia Jones 436-1077 or 255-0973 info@carriagehouseart.org

Louisiana Tech's School of Art, another partnering organization, would like to announce the return of the Uninstructed Life Drawing Workshop:

The Louisiana Tech School of Art is offering an 8 week, uninstructed life drawing workshop featuring one pose per night. This workshop is open to members of the community, students of any major within local universities, and artists at all levels of experience. Anyone interested in drawing and painting from the live model is welcome! The fee is 20.00 for the entire session. Space is limited, so please email Nicole Duet at nduet@latech.edu to reserve a spot (especially important if you cannot make the first meeting). Drawing horses are available. Easels and all other supplies are the responsibility of each participant.

 

March 12th- April 30th, Tuesday nights, 6:30- 9:30

Room 118 F Jay Taylor Visual Arts Bldg

Louisiana Tech University

20.00 model fee for entire 8 week session

Artist Member Christiane Drieling would like to share her Brush Hour Summer Schedule. 

There will be an open house at her studio on March 23. Those interested should contact Christiane at: 318-255-7422, or email her at: Christiane.drieling@gmail.com  There are other classes offered that have been listed before; click this link to see more. Classes are small so be sure to reserve your space.

Adult Class:

Paint something! – “Wine & Design” June 21 – July 26 (6 weeks) Fridays, 7-9 pm In this class you will learn how to paint a wooden object and how to come up with a design that complements the shape and style of the item. I will show you all the steps from preparing the unfinished object to the detailed decorative painting and adding other finishing touches such as fabric lining or handles. You will work on several projects simultaneously because of the long time it takes for the paint to dry. You can choose from a variety of boxes, candlesticks, birdhouses – or you can bring your own items, old or new. Fee: $ 80 + individual costs for supplies ($ 10-20).

Summer Camps for Children and Teenagers Art from Scratch – Art camp for children 6 and up June 17-21 Monday through Friday, 1-4 pm In this class, the children will learn how to be creative – literally! First, we will teach them how to make paper. Then they will make their own set of brushes, and finally they will paint with their handmade brushes on their handmade paper. And to top this off, the children will also build frames for their masterpieces. Fee: $ 100 + $ 15 for supplies Handmade beads – Art camp for children 8 and up June 24-28 Monday through Friday, 1-4 pm Beads can be made in so many ways from so many materials. We are going to make clay beads, paper beads, felted beads, herbal beads, and fabric beads. Then we are going to combine them with seed and other small glass beads and create unique pieces of jewelry. Fee: $ 100 + $ 10 for supplies. Playtime! – Art camp for children 8 and up July 8-12 Monday through Friday, 1-4 pm The children will learn how to build a marionette from wood parts and fabric and discover how to play it. They will also build a little stage and props from cardboard. Finally, we will write short scripts together and perform them. Fee $ 100 + $ 15 for supplies. Paint something! – Art camp for children 10 and up July 15-19 Monday through Friday, 1-4 pm The participants can choose their projects – jewelry boxes, picture frames, chalk boards – and get to know the process from preparing the unfinished item to detailed decorative painting. Depending on their individual skill level, I will teach them how to paint simple yet effectful repetitive patterns, and how to translate and incorporate their own icons and symbols. Fee: $ 100 + individual costs for supplies. Milk and Eggs – Art camp for children 6 and up July 22-26 Monday through Friday, 1-4 pm You will be amazed what you can make from milk and egg cartons! I am going to show the children how to transform the most common package materials into masks and crowns, flower bouquets and birdhouses, and even a pirate ship! Fee: $ 100 + $ 10 for supplies. Back to school – Art camp for children 10 and up July 29 – August 2 Monday through Friday, 1-4 pm Get back into the mood with cute sewing projects for school. The participants will discover the relaxing effect of sewing by hand while making book covers, little pouches, and a pencil roll. As they go, they will learn a variety of decorative stitches and how to make appliqués. Fee: $ 100 + $ 15 for supplies.

Partner News: Not-to-miss events!

Back when we had the "tornado scare" here in Ruston, the LA Tech School of Art's Louisiana Purchase reception was cancelled. Well, tonight's the night for the closing reception! Make sure to get over to the School of Art building to see this juried exhibition with works from around the country.

from Jes Schrom, LA Tech SoA Professor and Gallery Committee member:

TONIGHT- LA Purchase closing reception!  Tuesday, February 19th, 5 - 7 pm

The closing reception for the Louisiana Purchase juried show is tonight! Last chance to see this fabulous exhibition. Food and refreshments provided, open to the public.

Juror, Dr. Paul Manoguerra, is unable to attend the closing, but we do hope to have an online video of his talk in the future. We will post when it is available for viewing.

The SOA Galleries are located in the F Jay Taylor Visual Arts Center at 1 Mayfield Street, Ruston, LA 71272 (between Tech Drive and Mayfield Street, next to the Natatorium, and across from A.E. Phillips School)

For more information, please call the School of Art at 318.257.3909

Hope to see you there!

Next up, the LA Tech Enterprise Center has a new exhibition that will be opening Friday night, Feb. 22.  Be sure to come out and see the Enterprise space transformed by LA Tech's School of Architecture

from Robert Brooks, Professor in LA Tech's School of Architecture:

An interesting exhibition: Based in the realm of Interior Design Theory, the installation explores the conceptual underpinnings and relative perception of time, place and desire. The opening reception is this Friday, February 22 from 6-8 at the Louisiana Tech University Enterprise Center. It is free and open to the public. We hope to see you there.

For more information, please contact Hannah Bustamante of the Enterprise Center, hannahb@latech.edu or 318.257.3890.

Take note: Member News

Education/Interaction Opportunity NCLAC artist member, Carriage House Art, just sent me this bit of news. Sounds exciting! Give Patricia a call and go be inspired and productive at Carriage House!

Dear Artists,

Do you feel the creative forces flowing? Hope so! Cause it's time again for PAINT YOUR ART OUT! The Carriage House is going to offer paint nights on Wednesday for the month of February. The weather is awful and there's a real need to be stimulated in a creative way.

So here's the deal. We will start on February 6th and continue with Feb 13th Feb 20 and last Feb 27. We'll start at 6:30 with snacks and drinks and then get to work.

If you are in the mood to just splash and play with paint OR receive instruction in painting basics, we can accommodate either. You could work up a project that appeals to you or use one of the classroom setups that will be ready in the studio. We will try to design  your experience to your preferences.

The class fee is $30 per class with all materials being provided. This includes paint, canvases, wine, drinks and snacks. There is a minimum class size so if we don't get the enrollment we need, we reserve the right to cancel and reschedule. Please pay for the month on the first night. We will offer makeup classes for a night you may have to miss.

What else? Please email or call with questions. I'm excited to be getting to paint with you. It's time to get back to work!!

Patricia Jones info@carriagehouseart.org 318-436-1077

Our website is carriagehouseart.org so visit to see what events are being scheduled.

Silent Auction Update

Folks all around are donating to our upcoming silent auction, which is being held in conjunction with Ruston Civic Symphony Society's Mardi Gras Ball. This annual event, the Krewe of Allegro Ball, will be February 2 at 7pm at the Ruston Civic Center. Tickets are $60, and include dinner by Campatori Catering, entertainment by the Buddy Terzia Band, 2 complimentary drinks and a cash bar. Dancing and fabulous silent auction items top the night off right.

Many local artists, merchants and individuals are donating to the auction, which benefits NCLAC's education programs.  Today I'd like to mention a handful of early-bird member artists who made the commitment to donate to the event, as well as early-bird businesses who continue to offer help throughout the year.

Early-bird Member Artists

Jewelry/Accessories

•  Dorene Kordal
•  Laura Glen Lawson Carlson
•  Beth Holland

Photograhpy/Paintings

•  Whitney Anderson Caskey
•  Julie Crews   
•  Peter Jones
•  Joey Slaughter
•  Frank Hamrick

3D/Functional Work

•  Christiane Drieling
•  Follette Pottery
•  Casey Parkinson

Early-bird Businesses/Organizations

• Chartreuse Pear
• Devine Wines and Spirits
• Rogers Furniture
• Masur Museum of Art
• Dixie Center for the Arts

For tickets to this fundraiser, give us a call at our office: 255-1450. The NCLAC office and the Dixie Box Office, both at the same number, can help you with ticket inquiries.

New Website

Lastly for today's post....HAVE YOU SEEN OUR NEW WEBSITE?!  Our incredible intern Caitlin Craighead has been diligently building a new site for us and I'm so happy to say it's now live! Go check it out at www.nclarts.org

Take Note: Member News

Featured Artist: NCLAC Board Member and artist Marlen Waters was recently featured in the Monroe News Star, in a story titled Laugh, Love, Letter & Paint, which is the title of her exhibition at the River Gallery in West Monroe. The story is linked here. We are proud she's a part of our organization, and she serves as a good model for artists in the region. The arts permeate Marlen's life. She's involved in numerous arts organizations in the region, in addition to being included on the artist roster. This roster is an important link in networking with other artists. Marlen is quoted:

I enjoy color — and lots of it, and the energy that the paint has when it is applied to the paper or canvas. I use latex, inks and acrylic paints on paper and canvas and let the paint tell me what the painting is to become. I also do a combination of calligraphic lettering worked into colorful abstract compositions. I still remember as a small child tracing letters from the covers of magazines, changing them, embellishing them and marveling at how their parts fit together.

Marlen is the featured artist for January at the River Gallery (formerly the Ouachita River Art Gallery) in West Monroe. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Classes:

Stitchville, Ruston's one-stop-shop for knitting and sewing supplies, is holding winter sewing classes. This week, there's a Kid's Sewing Class Tuesday (tonight) from 4:00-5:30 or Thursday 3:00-4:30 (pick the most convenient time slot) The fee is $25/class when signing up for 4 or less, $20/class when attending more than 4

And as always,  there's the always-fun Open Knit Night each Tuesday from 6-8. It's an encouraging, positive setting to work on projects and share tips.

For more info about Stitchville, call Allie at (318) 255-6446

Exhibitions:

Opening tonight is Louisiana Purchase, 2nd Annual National Juried Exhibition at Louisiana Tech's School of Art. The show includes several NCLAC member artists: Joshua Chambers, Julie Crews, Jake Dugard, Peter Hay and Sophia Maras. The exhibition runs from January 15-February 19, with a Juror Talk, by Dr. Paul Manoguerra,  this afternoon at 5pm. Thanks to Jonathan Donehoo for posting this lovely photo as a sneak peak of the show.

Art Talk Monday: Come & See

Today's Art Talk Monday is written by Hannah Bustamante, of the Louisiana Tech Enterprise Center. The Come & See  exhibition includes several NCLAC member artists. Be sure to stop by and see the show! Louisiana Tech’s Enterprise Center Gallery presents Come & See: An MFA Show. The exhibition will run from January 11-February 15, with the opening reception was Friday, Januar 11, from 6-8pm. Both the exhibit is free and open to the public.

Candidates for Master of Fine Arts degrees in the Louisiana Tech School of Art pursue courses of study in Communication Design, Photography and Studio Art. These students are highly motivated and working in a wide range of styles and approaches in this interdisciplinary program. The annual MFA exhibition is a milestone in their careers.  

Please join first- and second-year MFA students Catherine Crow, MC Davis, Jake Dugard, Christian Dunn, Mary Dunn, Jenna Fincher, Allan Garcie, Peter Hay, Jaime Johnson, Matthew Knopps, Meredith McGregor, Casey Parkinson, Brittany Spencer, Rachel Spencer, and Yijun Yao for Come & See, a show encompassing various disciplines including painting, photography, printmaking, multimedia and communication design.

The Louisiana Tech Enterprise Center houses the Louisiana Tech Technology Incubator and the Technology Business Development Center. As the primary business support and development outreach arm of Louisiana Tech University, Louisiana Tech Enterprise Center is designed to facilitate and promote the growth of new and existing ventures of the innovation enterprise in the I-20 corridor of north Louisiana.

For more information about our programs and exhibitions, please email hannahb@latech.edu, call us at (318) 257-5281 or visit latechenterprisecenter.com. The Enterprise Center at Louisiana Tech is located at 509 West Alabama Ave., Ruston, LA  71270. We are open to the public Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

NCLAC note: Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 2, when the Ruston Civic Symphony Society and the North Central Louisiana Arts Council will hold the annual Mardi Gras Ball and Silent  Auction! Bill and Lynne Gnemi are this year’s King and Queen of the Krewe of Allegro. Silent Auction items are rolling in, including goods and services from area merchants, as well as pieces from area artists. The Chartreuse Pear, Bodie’s Furniture, Devine Wines and Spirits, as well as artwork from Julie Crews, Marie Bustamante, Frank Hamrick and Dorene Kordal—these are just a few of the many varied items that will be available for auction. Tickets to the Ball are available at the Dixie Center for the Arts. Call 255-1450 or come by 212 North Vienna to get your tickets.

Take note: Member News

Hello there. Today we're sharing some of our member news. First up, NCLAC Artist Member Rachel Johnston, who posts the weekly Art Ed Wednesday, has her new class schedule for the Spring. For pricing, registration or more info, contact her at woolgypsy@gmail.com

From Rachel:

Developmental Art (3-5 years)

My developmental art classes focus on the process of creating, rather than the end result. This age group thrives on process, and it is important for them to be able to freely explore art materials and techniques without too much of an end result in mind. I personally believe that some of the most beautiful art you'll ever see is created by preschoolers who were given the opportunity to do it all by themselves! I help them and gently guide them when needed, but I feel that my job in this class is mostly to set up the materials and provide the children with a space and time to explore art without expectations from me. I plan all classes to be developmentally appropriate for each student. My classes are small so this allows for plenty of one on one time with each child, and I can cater to their individual art needs. This year I will start offering a 15 week session for this class. If your child has been in the 10 week session and you'd prefer to continue doing that, you may. But if your child would enjoy 5 extra weeks in each session, I am now offering that as an option.

Sensory art (18 months-3 years)

This is an exciting new class for toddlers! Sensory play is beneficial for this age group, and I will give children the opportunity to explore a wide range of textures, colors, art materials, and more. Various clays & doughs, water trays, sensory bags and boxes and more will be part of this class. In each class I will show Mom (or Dad..or Grandma or whoever brings the student!) how to put together each activity so that they can do them at home if they wish. Many of these projects are fairly simple, yet have a big impact on your child's development. I will be offering 2 intro classes to start with, where I will talk a bit about my plans for this session, and we will work on two projects together. I will also show a variety of upcoming projects as well, so that you'll know what to look forward to if you sign up. Sign up sheets will be available at these classes. If you can't attend one of these but you are interested, or would like more information, get in touch with me. After these demo classes I will finalize plans for days, times, etc. for weekly classes.

Next, we have Louisiana Tech's School of Performing Arts and their  Opera Workshop: Love and Luck.

The Louisiana Tech University Theatre is proud to announce the cast for the Winter Quarter production of Opera Workshop: Love and Luck, directed by Dr. Lisa Maxedon. Performances are scheduled to run January 15-16 and 18-19 at 7:30 pm in Stone Theatre, located in the Howard Center for the Performing Arts, on the Corner of Adams Boulevard and West Arizona Avenue.

The Box Office, located in the lobby of Howard Auditorium, will open for general admission Tuesday, January 7th. Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for students and continuing education with valid I.D., $8 for children (under 14) and seniors (65 or older), $7 for groups (10 or more). Tickets can also be purchased.

Destiny…fortune….fate! This year’s Opera Workshop is an evening of scenes and songs from classics both old and new in the American Musical Theatre canon. Pirates of Penzance, A Game of Chance, Gypsy, Beauty and the Beast and many other Broadway favorites are featured in this fantastic production. A true collaboration within the School of the Performing Arts, Opera Workshop showcases the talents of both the Music and Theatre department and gives you a night of unforgettable musical performances.

The cast includes Chastin Seeby, Christian Amos, Adam Garcia, Travis Hearold, Bryant Williams, Ryan Willis, Alyce Tarver, Melanie Slack, Rebecca Harris, Valerie Lott, Travis Hearold, Destiny Garcia, Carolyn Smith, Michelle Coker, Katherine Finney, Jamie Robinson, Olivia Loewer, Christian Amos, Alicia Goodman, Brooke Jones With Dr. Laura Thompson as Game Show Host, Dr. Sean Teets as the Special Guest, and Accompanist Shayla Blake.

NCLAC Board Member Dr. Jeffery R. Hankins, an Associate Professor of History at Louisiana Tech University, was invited to join the international advisory board for the British Scholar Society, a non-profit educational organization dedicated to Britain’s interactions in the world from the seventeenth century to the present, to concentrate British history during the 1600s and 1700s. Congratulations to Dr. Hankins! You can read more about this special opportunity here.

Several NCLAC student artist members will be exhibiting at Louisiana Tech's Enterprise Center, with the opening reception this Friday, January 11, from 6-8pm. The show is comprised of work by first and second year MFA students. Make plans to attend. Louisiana Tech's MFA program is thriving; be sure to see these young artists' works!

Life Through Facets--Art Talk Monday

This week's Art Talk Monday is written by Sophia Maras, NCLAC Gallery Coordinator.  Get ready for a beautiful December, as NCLAC and Crescent City Coffee present artist Whitney Trisler’s paintings in “Life Through Facets.” We are excited to share this amazing artist with the community and hope you will join us on Sunday, December 2^nd from 2-4pm for an opening reception. Her work will hang in the coffeehouse through the month of February.

With parents in the army, Whitney traveled all over the world before she settled in Monroe, LA in 2000. She just graduated in November with her BFA in Studio Art and a Minor in Art History from Louisiana Tech University. With paintings bordering on abstraction, she explores memories and the distortion of those memories over time. She does this by painting her subjects through diamond facets, creating a relationship between the reflective and transparent diamonds and unusual backgrounds or nostalgic objects to represent and distort the small details of life. Of her work she says, “I am experimenting with diamonds and crystals by incorporating them into backgrounds, that may spark a memory within the viewer.”

Whitney is currently an instructor for Painting with a Twist in Monroe, where she enjoys sharing her talents in painting with her students. Her artwork has been exhibited in juried exhibitions such as the 2012 Louisiana Tech Annual Student Exhibition and the 2012 Art From the G.U.T. Exhibition in Ruston. Also through Louisiana Tech University, she was able to be a part of the painting team for the Homer Mural Project in Homer, LA.

NCLAC and Crescent City Coffee enjoy partnering on these quarterly art exhibitions to provide artists with exhibition opportunities, as well as to expose the community to the artistic creations in their local area. Crescent City is a full-scale coffee bar serving a variety of beverages, in addition to pastries, salads, and a delicious lunch menu. Open weekdays from 6am-midnight, and weekends from 7am- midnight, they offer a fresh brewed cup of Joe anytime!

If you are interested in purchasing a work in “Life Through Facets” look for NCLAC’s Gallery Coordinator Sophia Maras or Executive Director Jessica Slaughter at the reception. You may also contact NCLAC at 318-255-1450, or stop by the Dixie Center for the Arts Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., to inquire about purchasing works.

Please join us Sunday, December 2^nd, from 2-4pm, for some beautiful paintings, fresh coffee and sweet treats!

Sharing Great News!

Students recognized for excellent work in LA Tech University Theatre’s production of KAB Man Ruston, LA. 31 October 2012.

The Louisiana Tech University Theatre’s production of KAB Man was entered in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KC/ACTF). The show was responded to by Don Hooper and Emily Heugatter on Friday, October 26th.

Several students were recognized for excellence in their specific areas. This included Irene Ryan Nominations for Rowan Johnson, Jacob D. Guinn, and Rachael Pace for their roles as BP, KAB Man, and KeeLABelle, respectively. Additionally, recognized for meritorious achievement in design were Molly Page as Costume Supervisor and Sarah Flanagan as Properties Designer.

Finally, the entire production of KAB Man was “held for consideration” to be part of the KC/ACTF Region VI Festival. Under this designation, the Department’s production moves on to the next step, taking place the weekend of December 7th, in which a committee of theatre professionals will consider shows to be included in the Festival in February. This year’s Region VI Festival will be held in Shreveport, LA, at the historic Strand Theatre.

KC/ACTF is a national theatre education program which aims to “identify and promote quality in college-level theater production.” To this end, selected students and faculty are invited to participate in KC/ACTF programs involving scholarships, internships, grants, and awards for actors, directors, dramaturgs, playwrights, designers, stage managers, and critics at both the regional and national levels.

“Last year more than 1,300 productions were entered in the KC/ACTF involving more than 200,000 students nationwide. By entering this production, our theater department is sharing in the KC/ACTF goals to recognize, reward, and celebrate the exemplary work produced in college and university theaters across the nation.”

For more information on the Louisiana Tech University Department of Theatre, visit www.latechuniversitytheatre.com. For more information on the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, visit http://www.kcactf.org/ KCACTF.ORG_NATIONAL/Sponsorship.html

Congratulations, and best wishes for the next step!

Hooshang Khorasani at Holiday Arts Tour

                                                                                                                                                                        Hello there! This is Sophia here, ready to introduce you to a very colorful end energetic artist who will be participating in the Holiday Arts Tour. Hooshang Khorasani's work will be at The Frame Up  Thursday through Saturday, and will have  his studio open on Saturday and Sunday. This is the best of both worlds! We, as the viewers, not only have the option of seeing his work right here in downtown Ruston, but also at his studio where he imagines, produces and is inspired to create the work that 'Wows' us! Hooshang is an internationally exhibiting artist with working studios in both Ruston, Louisiana and Orange County, California. His work has been published in numerous art books including Studio Visit, Masters of Today, and The New Faces of Art. On top of all that, his paintings are also displayed in private collections in England, Spain and Belgium, as well as throughout the United States. Through various painting methods, Hooshang creates a bold contemporary style, alternating between muted and energetic color schemes. He works with mixed media and acrylic to layer his paintings, creating colorful abstractions of form and energy.

The Frame Up is located in downtown Ruston on Viena Street and offers custom framing for artwork or photographs. Stop by weekly from 9:30am-5:30pm and on Saturdays from 10:45am-1pm! "If it's worth remembering, it's worth framing."

Art Talk Monday: Our Haunted Selves

This week's Art Talk Monday written by Hannah Bustamante, of Louisiana Tech University's Enterprise Center. The Enterprise Center Gallery Presents a New Exhibition titled Our Haunted Selves, featuring artwork by Nicholas Bustamante. Bustamante currently lives and works in Ruston, Louisiana, where he teaches as an Associate Professor of Art at Louisiana Tech University. Nicholas was born in Los Angeles, California. In 2000 he received his bachelor of art degree from Humboldt State University in Arcata, California. He then went on to earn his Master of Fine Arts degree from Long Beach State University in Long Beach, California in 2003. Using desert landscapes, abandoned buildings and objects to create ominous yet relatable atmospheres, the paintings seem to draw you into a place or moment everyone can connect with in some way because of our individual pasts. His use of objects in these spaces weave an open ended narrative which allows the viewer to draw from their own past experiences to effectually put themselves in each piece. This exhibition consists of over thirty-two paintings spanning over two years to complete.

The opening reception was Friday, September 14, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Bustamante will be giving an artist’s talk on Wednesday, October 3, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. This is free and open to the public.

The Louisiana Tech Enterprise Center houses the Louisiana Tech Technology Incubator and the Technology Business Development Center. As the primary business support and development outreach arm of Louisiana Tech University, Louisiana Tech Enterprise Center is designed to facilitate and promote the growth of new and existing ventures of the innovation enterprise in the I-20 corridor of north Louisiana.

For more information about our programs and exhibitions, please email hannahb@latech.edu or call our office at 318.257.3890. The Enterprise Center is located at 509 West Alabama Ave, Ruston, LA 71270. We are open to the public Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Art Talk Monday: Photography Exhibition at 102 a Bistro

NCLAC along with 102 a Bistro will be featuring the work of regional artists Kayla Anderson and Brooklyn Bain. An opening reception will be held Wednesday, August 1st from 5-7 pm for the exhibition titled "Captured Transfer." Wine and appetizers will be served. Kayla Anderson will be displaying large-scale photo transfers on forms similar to wooden pallets. Kayla is inspired by handcrafted art and elaborate storytelling. She uses these two forces of inspiration to investigate non-traditional photographic methods. Kayla states, “The process requires many large planks of wood, varying in size, with imagery spanning the separation of the pieces of wood. Each piece stands on its own, but also comes together as a whole. When hung in the gallery space, the wooden planks with the transferred photographs give the appearance of a puzzle being placed back together.”

Kayla just completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in May from Louisiana Tech University. Her work was recently published in The Sun Magazine.

The second artist in this two-person exhibition is Brooklyn Bain. Brooklyn is also a photographer, but her work is presented in a more traditional way. Using classic printing and framing techniques, her photographs focus on nature and use the “natural landscape as a metaphor for pain, deterioration, and healing”.

Bain has moved and traveled often, and the diverse experiences that have come from this gypsy-like life are the main inspiration for her photography. “While these images are centered around pain and hurt, there are glimmers of hope seen through natural healing and radiant light,” she says.

Brooklyn graduated with her Bachelors of Fine Arts from Louisiana Tech University in May.

The works will be displayed at 102 a Bistro until November 1st. 102 a Bistro is located at 102 South Monroe Street in Ruston. NCLAC and 102 a Bistro have formed a partnership in their quarterly art receptions. The evenings are enjoyable, with delicious food and wine, and easy mingling among artists and art patrons. Following the reception, visitors are encouraged to have a bite at the Bistro, perhaps with a tasty experience at the oyster bar.

NCLAC member Naja Simeon to open "Peaceful Aggression"

Grambling State University will host a solo art exhibition by Naja Simeon. The show, “Peaceful Aggression” will be held in the Favrot Student Union April 10 – 17, 2012. This showcase of artwork will explore the artist’s concepts and ideas from the simple appreciation of nature’s beauty, to the more sophisticated aspects of environmental deprivation and the true meaning of life. Naja is from the tropical paradise of Saint Lucia, a small Caribbean island with lush vegetation and immense natural beauty, which has been the main influence for his love for nature. Being involved in both Engineering and Art studies, Naja has combined these two areas of study in his work to express the impact of man and his way of life on his environment. The public is invited to attend a reception for the artist on Thursday, April 12th, 4:30 - 6:30 PM, in the Lobby of the Favrot Student Union, which is located on Main Street, Grambling, LA. The gallery hours are from 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, M-F. For large groups and services requiring special accommodations, please contact the Grambling State University’s Visual and Performing Arts Department at 318-274-2274 or the Favrot Student Union at 318-274-3298. Naja may be contacted via e-mail at misaki59@gmail.com.