Award-Winning China Circus Acrobatic Troupe Set to Perform at the Dixie

This week's Art TAlk Monday, by Juliann Allen, local freelance writer who is currently pursuing an MBA at LA Tech Rays of red light stretch from the floor to the ceiling, forming a hazy pattern of strings on the black backdrop. A single spotlight in the darkness bathes a circle on the stage floor below as a performer balances on a thin rectangle of wood. A hollow tube lying on its side serves as the only connection from the wood to the bench below. Clad in vibrant blues and reds, the performer balances on the moving sheet of wood as the tube rolls back and forth. Arms extended to the side and feet widened, like a surfer riding a wave, the performer exudes poise and unwavering focus as she stares ahead. Several objects sit near the edge of the wood in front of her feet, and with a flip of the surface’s edge, the objects fly into the air and land neatly in a gold chalice balancing atop the performer’s head.

Acts such as this will enliven the Dixie Theater in downtown Ruston on Saturday, September 27, at 7:00 p.m. as the China Circus Acrobats, featuring the Anhui Troupe, present an evening of colorful scenes, bold stunts and expressive forms of art through body movement. Their daring feats of acrobatic skill are amazing and the beauty they bring to human performance art is breathtaking. The Anhui Acrobats are known for leading the way in creating new and stunning acrobatic skills and combining elegant dance with playfulness.

Featuring more than 20 Chinese acrobats, the Anhui Troupe will perform classic acts like juggling, hoop diving, tight rope balancing and spinning plates. Chinese acrobatics have awed audiences for centuries, but not until in recent history was this performing art internationally shared as it is today. The ever-growing strength of our global connectivity allows us to experience foreign cultural elements more than ever. End your week on an extraordinary note and come enjoy an evening of unique and enlightening entertainment at the Dixie Theater.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Dixie Box Office at 318-255-1450.  Season ticket packages are also currently available for purchase. The Dixie Center for the Arts, located at 212 North Vienna Street in Ruston, is a non-profit volunteer-driven organization that works in partnership with North Central Louisiana Arts Council, Ruston Community Theater and Ruston Civic Symphony Society. For more information, visit www.dixiecenter.org.

World War I Ephemera Exhibition

This week's Art Talk Monday is written by Hannah Bustamante of the Louisiana Tech Enterprise Center. North Central Louisiana Art Council’s partner in the arts, Louisiana Tech Enterprise Center Gallery, is excited to present a collection of ephemera, curated by Saul Zalesch, spanning the duration of World War I. This year marks the 100^th anniversary of the First World War. Each piece in this Exhibition gives us a very real and often intangible glimpse into this important time in our global history. It is divided into four sections: before the United States went to war; service during the War; the Home Front; and the Aftermath. Within each section there are publications, images and propagandistic materials from the U.S. and abroad ranging from the initial American opposition to intervene all the way to the end of the war, which includes monuments, memorials, and support for veterans.

Saul Zalesch, an art historian at Louisiana Tech University, organized and curated this show.  He acquired all of the artifacts that will be on display in the gallery throughout the course of his research into American popular arts and culture. Additional images of his collection of ephemera can be found on his website www.ephemerastudies.org.

It is a tremendous honor for us to join with people collectively around the world during this time to remember The Great War and how it changed and affected the lives of so many.  We invite everyone to join us for the opening reception Friday, September 26^th from 6 pm – 8 pm, at the Rawle Enterprise Center, 509 West Alabama Ave. in Ruston. This reception is free and open to the public. The exhibition is also on view Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm, until October 17. For more information about Enterprise Center programs and exhibitions, call the office at (318) 257-5281, or email hannahb@latech.edu

A note from the NCLAC office:

An exhibition of sculptural works by artists Andi and Robert Moran are on display at Studio 301 in downtown Ruston (301 North Trenton)  The show is a visual treat and should not be missed. An opening reception will be held on Sunday, September 21, from 2-4pm. It’s not often that we have the opportunity to see a sculpture exhibition in our area, and Studio 301 offers a perfect space for these works. Andi and Robert are quite the do-it-yourselfers, and have years of experience with architecture, metalwork, ceramics, lighting and more. To pique your interest, take a look at their site www.moran-moran.com    Take some time to stop by and see this fine artwork.

Reminder: Two days before, on Friday evening, September 19, there will be a Fall Crawl from 5-8pm. Studio 301 will be open that evening, with the Moran work on display, as well as several other shops hosting visual artists and musicians. It will be a great way to spend a pleasant fall evening. I’d like to think things will have cooled off a biy by then. A listing of locations and artists can be found at nclarts.org

Monroe Art Crawl, Oct. 2

We've just received word of two exciting aspects of the upcoming Art Crawl in Monroe, which will be held Thursday, Oct. 2, from 5-9pm.

The Masur Museum of Art and the Twin City Art Foundation will present an Art Battle on Art Alley from 5:30-6:30, and voting will take place from 5:30-7, at which time the winner will be announced.  Five teams of artists will compete to create an original work of art in one hour in front of a live audience! The public will choose the winning team by depositing tips into their favorite team’s tip jar. This fun and friendly competition will provide a great opportunity to see art being made live! Competing teams will include art students from Grambling University, the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and Louisiana Tech, as well as artists from the Downtown Arts Alliance and a Masur Museum team led by local artist Vitus Shell.

DOWNSTAIRS Gallery will be presenting PEDAGOGY, by Michele Whitley Olinde, with an Artist's Talk from 7:30-8

A native of Morgan City, Michele Whitley Olinde realized when she arrived at Northeast Louisiana University that she was not as prepared for art classes as the majority of the other art students. Her home town was warm and friendly but very limited in opportunities for training in the visual arts. With art and the creative process all encompassing, and entirely undaunted, Michele earned a B.F.A. with concentration in drawing and digital graphics, then returned to Northeast for her teaching certification and permanent residence in Monroe where she is now an educator and the Fine Arts Department Chairperson at West Ouachita High School.

Teaching was difficult at first because Michele wanted to be actively creating her own art. As she gained experience as an instructor, her students became the inspiration.

“Most of my paintings are of nature and inspired by the beauty found in a country landscape. Mixed media drawings and pen and ink are two of the most common media found in my portfolio. The ink pen has always felt natural in my hand. My first obsession was with pattern created with pen and ink techniques. I love to see strange and unusual textures created with the blending of different materials. When I paint, I concern myself with the effect of light so I tend to choose photographs taken late in the day or early in the morning.  My style of painting varies between realism and Impressionism.”

Pedagogy needs to be explored through the thinking and practice of those educators who look to accompany learners; care for and about them; and bring learning into life. As we learn through Michele, teaching is just one aspect of their practice.  “Creating art is a journey I take by myself and my work reflects the experiences I have along the way.”

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

Fall Crawl Is Nearing...

 

Now that we have passed Labor Day, I find myself yearning for Fall. Most of September is officially the fall season, even though Louisiana weather often disagrees. However, everyone is back in school, football has begun, and our minds begin to wander toward pumpkins and cooler weather. To celebrate this new season and enjoy an early evening outdoors, be sure to come downtown for the Fall Crawl. Several arts-businesses in downtown Ruston are joining together for a great evening on September 19, from 5-8pm.

Fine Line Art Supply will be featuring Frank Folino, OFM, of St. Thomas Aquinas. Father Frank’s mixed media paintings, with bold color and deep relief, are expressionistic and engaging. Kelly Moore Bag will be featuring husband and wife photography team Hannah Cooper McCauley and Zachary McCauley. These artists are Masters Candidates at Louisiana Tech and each has been recognized, awarded, published and exhibited nationally in the last year. This is a great opportunity to buy works by artists on the rise. Kelly Moore Bag will also be hosting music by Josh + Jenn.

Be sure to stop by Main Street Exchange, who will be featuring toys created by Christiane Drieling, whose craftsmanship is impeccable. Main Street Exchange’s featured nonprofit of the month is NCLAC—so sales at the shop will support our organization this month! Makers Union will have James Gilcrease from Day Old Blues Records with a pop-up shop chock full of vinyl. He’ll be spinning records, of course, so head over to treat your ears.

Just down the street at Studio 301 is another husband and wife team, Robert and Andi Moran, who will be exhibiting sculptural works.  Robert and Andi are a creative powerhouse, with experience as designers of furniture, ceramics, lighting and more.  Around the corner at Pastry Moon, owner Bonnie Ferguson will have her new autumn soaps as well as the artists she regularly features, such as Dorene Kordal’s felt, Whitney Caskey’s photography, and Lora Lee’s jewelry. I hear a buzz about a musician at Pastry Moon as well... Frame of Mind will be exhibiting new works by artist Peter Hay, who recently graduated from LA Tech’s MFA program, but has since moved back to Oklahoma. Peter is a fine printmaker and painter, with a style rooted in surrealism, often depicting beautifully illustrated animal imagery.

At the Dixie Center for the Arts, Dubach artist Nina Stephens’ oil paintings will be featured. As a self-taught artist, Nina channels her emotions and energy by creating pieces that represent personal journeys along with locally inspired pieces and animal portraits. Art Innovations is joining the Fall Crawl, and will have an installation titled A Walk in the Woods, featuring bird houses and bows by Francis Carson, and small paintings by Jackie Cochran. Alexandria Bozeman will be on site creating “Energy Portraits,” and there’s rumor of hot dogs and s’mores!

Plans are still begin generated, with conversations about food, music, and book readings, so be sure to mark this date on your calendar. If you remember, there was a Spring Crawl earlier this year, and there were people everywhere! It was a wonderful night. Let’s make it happen again. Grab a friend and head downtown after work. Join our facebook event for continued details.

Today's Art Talk Monday is written by Jessica Slaughter, NCLAC Executive Director

My Vision, My Voice set to begin

 

Beginning on September 2, the North Central Louisiana Arts Council will hold a photojournalism workshop entitled My Vision, My Voice for youth involved with Seeds of Light in Homer, LA. Seeds of Light is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to help communities restore justice by offering support to at-risk families and children affected by crime.  Their vision is that these families and children will grow into productive citizens who will eventually contribute to the public good.

Over the course of the six week program, My Vision, My Voice students will use the journalism tools of storytelling, historical and social documentation, and interviewing, to investigate and tell stories about themes of self, dreams, community, and family. Photography basics will be implemented, including considerations of lighting and composition, to go hand in hand with the writing themes. The project gives students a chance to view themselves and their community in a unique, personal way. The program will close with an exhibition of the students’ photographs and writings on Tuesday, October 7 at the Seeds of Light Ministry.

My Vision, My Voice is fashioned after a model program in Durham, North Carolina, called Literacy Through Photography, where children are encouraged to explore their environments through photographic images, and then use these images as a springboard for writing. NCLAC last held My Vision, My Voice in Bienville Parish, in partnership with an after-school program, the 21^st Century Community Learning Center.

We are pleased to bring photographer Katrina Parker and multi-media journalist Dacia Idom to work with the students in Claiborne Parish. We strive to foster opportunities for creative expression, and believe in the power of arts education to promote creativity, innovation, discipline and teamwork. We have been unable to hold the program for three years due to lack of project-specific funding. However, thanks to funding from the Plum Creek Foundation, we are all set for this year! The program is free for participants, and all materials will be provided.

The Plum Creek Foundation supports non-profit organizations that improve the overall quality of life in the communities where Plum Creek operates.  The

Foundation board meets quarterly to review submitted grant applications.  Visit www.plumcreek.com/communityinvolvement to download an application and learn more about the foundation grant program in addition to other ways that Plum Creek is serving its communities.

-------

As a reminder, we sent out our quarterly Membership Newsletter last week. If your NCLAC membership is expiring, please take a moment renew. We have special membership perks for early renewals this year! If you enjoy reading the Art Talk each week, hearing about the arts programming in our area, and have never been a NCLAC member, we would love to have you! Take a look at our site at nclarts.org to find out how you can join. Memberships begin at $15, and each of our members plays an important role in the fulfillment of our mission. We appreciate your support!

 This week's Art Talk Monday is written by Jessica Slaughter, NCLAC's Executive Director

The Cancer Journal Project

Yesterday I met Kenan Irving, who shared with me his Make-a-Wish campaign titled The Cancer Journal Project. This is a personal project, in tribute to his wife who passed away from stomach cancer last winter. Kenan will be posting Ashley's journal entries and his photographs that document their story. All funds raised through The Cancer Journal Project are donated to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, and 90% of Make-a-Wish donations go directly to grant wishes for children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions. Make-a-Wish grants the wish of a child in the US and its territories, on average, every 38 minutes. Take a moment to read Kenan's guest post, and then head over to The Cancer Journal Project's  page and follow their journey to make wishes come true.

"When I was 14 years old, I met Ashley. Four years later, we were married. Nine years

after that, she died.

On May 8, 2013, our 9th wedding anniversary, we found out that the lymphoma we

thought Ashley had was actually stage 4 stomach cancer. The two of us responded to

the news quite differently. She cried and almost immediately accepted the possibility

that she might die. I just stood there. I was unable to process and deal with that

information. I felt that if I ignored it long enough, I could somehow bend the world to my

will.

Ashley’s sister had given her a journal the day before the full diagnosis and Ashley

started writing in it. The ability to write down exactly what she was feeling at any given

moment, was comforting. It helped her cope. I never could have written in a journal

because I never accepted any of it. In fact writing this now and admitting that it

happened is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. !

For Ashley though, that journal was calming. It went with her everywhere. Through

diagnosis, treatment, vomiting, pills and pain she could write whatever she wanted. I

would notice her at times while she was writing. Sometimes she would smile.

Sometimes she would cry. No matter the emotion though, I knew it helped. As soon as

an event happened, she would write in the journal. It became almost a stream of

consciousness. What she has left is an incredibly intimate and honest portrayal of what

life is like for someone dying of cancer.

Ashley and I made a deal that no one would read the journal until she died. The hope

of course was that she would get better and no one would EVER be able to read it.

That’s not what happened though. On the last page of the journal, Ashley wrote a list of

the things she wanted to do when she beat cancer. Among the list was start a charity.

That is what The Cancer Journal Project is.

I wanted the journal itself to be part of the charity. I wanted this amazing historical

document to be shared with the world. We will release excerpts from the journal and

artwork designed around what Ashley wrote. This will happen on our website and social

media accounts. It’s the hope that these words will help others to cope and understand

what can be accomplished in the face of tremendous adversity.

Cancer completely consumes your life. Not only is this disease mutating through your

cells but it robs you of time. There are doctors’ visits, tests, procedures, trips to the

pharmacy, chemo and that’s not even counting the time your body needs to heal.

Cancer treatment leaves no time for anything else. Especially not a vacation.

Ashley and I loved going to Walt Disney World. We went there on our honeymoon. We

also went back every year that we were married. She even ran the Disney Marathon

four months before she was diagnosed. I guess we never really grew up...

What’s sad is that so many kids are forced to deal with things they were never

intended to have to. Cancer is robbing them of their childhoods and forcing them to

grow up way too fast. We want to help. We want to be able to send these children and

their families on a trip. We want to give them a break from the doctors and pills. A break

from their homes that have become extended hospital rooms. We want to send them to

Walt Disney World.

This is how you can help. 100% of your donations go directly to the Make-A-Wish

foundation. The Cancer Journal Project is completely self funded. We don’t keep a dime

of your donation. Make-A-Wish will use the money to help kids and their families get a

much needed break. To forget for a while that they’re sick. To make as many memories

as possible. It takes approximately $6500 to sponsor a wish and send a family to Disney

World. We want to be able to send as many families as possible. We need your help to

make this happen. Please donate whatever you can.

What else can you do? Tell everyone you know about The Cancer Journal Project.

Visit our site often. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Tumblr.

Like our posts and pictures. Share and retweet. The more people that know about

Ashley and The Project, the more families we can help.

Ashley and I had several trips planned while she was sick. We only got to take one of

them. We kept waiting for one more chemo round or one more procedure. We were

always waiting for the next week, when surely she would feel better. Time just ran out.

Please help these families take the time while they still can.

Ashley would have liked knowing that this journal, this coping mechanism, helped

others to cope."

www.thecancerjournalproject.com

www.facebook.com/thecancerjournalproject

www.instagram.com/thecancerjournalproject

www.twitter.com/cjournalproject

www.thecancerjournalproject.tumblr.com

How can you help? Become a member!

NCLAC began its mission in 1987 “to enrich the region by fostering opportunities for creative expression; to establish a strong presence of the arts wherein the artists, arts organizations and community can thrive; and to share our diverse cultural heritage, celebrating not just who we are, but what we can become.” Since then it has benefited and grown in capacity because of its many supporters.  Members have made everything from the daily manning of the office, to providing full-scale events like the Holiday Arts Tour possible! This year to celebrate our members and to make the annual Membership Drive more fun, we are offering   early-renewal gifts! Check out the Membership Levels and their early renewal award gifts below. The new Membership year begins in September.

To become a member, download a membership form and pay via Paypal on our site. You may also stop by our office, located inside the Dixie Center for the Arts, 212 North Vienna in downtown Ruston.

2014-15 Membership Levels & Benefits

Student $15:

• Receive our quarterly Membership Newsletter
• Receive a $5 discount on NCLAC Arts Academy Classes
• Receive a $5 discount on Peach Art Exhibit entries
• Receive an invitation to NCLAC’s Annual Meeting & Holiday Party

* First 20 new or renewed Student memberships receive a NCLAC magnet!

Friend $30:

Receive all the benefits of the Student Level, plus:

• A $5 discount to ARToberfest, Early Bird or General Admission ticket

* First 15 new or renewed Friend memberships receive a NCLAC magnet & pen!

Family $50:

Receive all the benefits of the Friend Level, plus:

• The $5 discount on NCLAC Arts Academy Classes applies to each family member
• The $5 discount on Peach Art Exhibit entries applies to each family member
• The $5 discount to ARToberfest, Early Bird or General Admission ticket applies to 2 adults (per a family)
• A free NCLAC Summer Arts Camp t-shirt with S.A.C. registration (for up to 2 children per a family)

* First 10 new or renewed Family memberships receive a NCLAC magnet & vintage Peach Poster! These posters were designed by artist Pam Marshall, and will make an excellent addition to your home or office.

Patron $100:

Receive all the benefits of the Family Level, plus:

• An Invitation to the Meet & Greet Holiday Arts Tour Artist Party

* First 10 new or renewed Patron memberships receive a NCLAC magnet & limited edition handmade “NCLAC Supporter Pin!” These special pins have been created by Bonnie Ferguson, of Pastry Moon Soaps.

Guardian $250:

Receive all the benefits of the Patron Level, plus:

• A Special Reserved Seat at NCLAC’s table at the Krewe of Allegro Mardi Gras Ball, with the purchase of a Ball ticket.

* First 5 new or renewed Guardian memberships receive a limited edition handmade “NCLAC  Supporter Pin” & Peachy Postcards! Peach Postcards feature 8 images by local artists in a variety of media and styles, each with a peach theme: Mary Boothe Dunn, Jake Dugard, Julie Crews, MC Davis, Rosalynne Fluty, Laura Hunt Miller, Frank Hamrick and Peter Jones.

Benefactor $500:

Receive all the benefits of the Guardian Level, plus:

• 2 Early Bird tickets to ARToberfest

* First 5 new or renewed Benefactor memberships receive a limited edition handmade “NCLAC Supporter Pin” & NCLAC Mug! These NCLAC mugs are being crafted by local potter Emma Case Melville.

Angel $1000:

Receive all the benefits of the Benefactor Level, plus:

• One automatic entry into the Keep the Arts Afloat drawing

* New & renewed Angel members receive ALL the gifts listed above!   

Smaller early renewal gifts will be mailed to their recipients, larger gifts may be mailed, but they may also be picked up from the Dixie Center for the Arts after Sept. 1.

Today's Art Talk Monday is by Laura Hunt Miller, NCLAC Executive Assistant.

Calls for Entry....Artists take heed!

Happy Friday to you! Today we are bringing you 4 Calls for Entry for Visual Artists. Take a look at these and shoot for the stars! CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The Jackson Parish Museum & Fine Arts Association is currently booking solo and group exhibits for the Winter/Spring 2015 season. We are a small museum but do have specific criteria and guidelines so potential artists must apply before being approved for a show. Artists who are residents or natives of Louisiana will be considered first, with Jackson Parish artists getting priority. This is a family-oriented arts association so artists with adult themes need not apply. Spots are limited. For more information please contact museum manager Leah Beth Johnston at jacksonparishmuseum@gmail.com.

DEADLINE APPROACHING

45th Annual River Road Show deadline is fast approaching!!!  Submissions for this prestigious national juried exhibition will be accepted up to September 1, 2014 (postmark or email).  The exhibition will take place at the Louisiana State Archive Building from December 3-December 29, 2014. We are honored to have as our judge this year Morten E. Solberg an acknowledged Master Artist who is versatile in all mediums.  Louisiana Art and Artists’ Guild is also sponsoring a workshop given by Mr. Solberg in conjunction with the exhibit. For more information on the River Road Show and the River Road Show Prospectus visit www.laag-site.org/river-road-show .  For information on the Morten Solberg workshop visit  www.laag-site.org/workshops .

ARTS TOUR TIME

We, the North Central Louisiana Arts Council, are now accepting applications from visual artists to participate in our 17th annual Holiday Arts Tour. The event is a celebration of the arts in Louisiana, featuring visual artists, musicians, writers, and other performing artists. NCLAC will place artists from its five parish region of Lincoln, Jackson, Claiborne, Bienville, and Union parishes first, but if enough host sites are available, artists from elsewhere in the state may participate. Applications will be accepted through September 22^nd.

This page will give you more information about the Tour, and and this page is where you can download an Artist Application. For assistance or questions about the Holiday Arts Tour and the application process, please contact the NCLAC office at (318)255-1450, Monday-Friday, 9am-3pm.

Visual artists who participate will have work reproduced in the full-color brochure, as well as featured posts on the NCLAC site. The Tour weekend, November 20-23, will promote visual, literary, and performing artists, and will draw visitors from around the state. NCLAC wishes to receive entries from artists in: ceramics, painting, photography, printmaking, jewelry, fiber arts, mixed media, fine woodworking, etc.

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.

DIGITAL ARTS FESTIVAL

DigiFest South, presented by Bossier Arts Council, is an annual digital technology expo and arts festival, scheduled this year for Sep 16th-18th. DigiFest South celebrates how digital technology combined with artistic creativity shapes modern society.

DigiFest South seeks the most innovative and progressive companies, organizations, and educational institution to showcase their contribution to the digital age and inspire young minds to seek careers in the digital media industry. So, pretty much any concept of combining art and technology to influence our culture and/or way of life. DigiFest South 2014 will feature:

• Technology Expo Floor Show • Digital Industry Workshops and Panels • Video Game Design Competition • Digital Media Presentations • Digital Art Exhibition • Digital Music Concert • Talks on Creativity & Technologyaccepting entries for its art competition.

DigiFest South includes a digital art exhibit and competition by independent artists. The exhibit will showcase  digital art genres made possible by the latest technologies.

Categories Include:

•Art Film – Please keep submissions between 2^1/2 to 3 minutes. High Resolution file will be required. •Animation – Please keep submissions between 2^1/2 to 3 minutes. High Resolution file will be required. •Interactive/Webiste/App: Please describe logistics for user interaction. •Digital Photography- Must be printed, framed, mounted and wired to hang. •Architectural/Drafting- Must be printed, framed, mounted and wired to hang. •Graphics- Must be printed, framed, mounted and wired to hang. •High School Students- Student work will be judged separately from all other submissions •College/University Students- Student work will be judged separately from all other submissions

 $15.00 per submission, limit of 2 submissions per artistic category

All applications & entry fees must be received by TUESDAY, SEP. 3rd by 5:00PM to Bossier Arts Council (630 Barksdale Blvd. Bossier City,LA)  via email at bossierarts@bossierarts.org    Here is a link with more details and an application.

New Works by Maggie Jones Boudreaux

 

NCLAC is excited to announce an opening reception at Parish Press for local celebrated artist Maggie Jones Boudreaux on August 20. Maggie is a Ruston native and graduate of Louisiana Tech University. She currently works as an art educator, as well as on her own abstract body of art, ranging from dynamic collages to colorful paintings that play with the idea of overlapping shape and color.

This is what Maggie has to say about her Current Works show that will be on display at Parish Press:

The children in my life and their work heavily influence my paintings. I am the proud mother of 4 and 7-year-old artists, and blessed to take part in the creative process of approximately 300 plus little artists where I teach at A. E. Phillips Laboratory School. I can't help but be amazed and intrigued with their compositions. I find myself daily collecting visual images in my mind and storing them for future use.

My recent style in the past year or so has simplified its self from my days of big wild abstract paintings. My paintings have evolved into simple groups or "families" of shapes that seem to be seeking balance, perhaps because this is what I seek the most in my life now. I have loved experimenting with limited color palettes in either bright rich colors or classical neutral tones. But the concept of each painting seems to be the same. Balance.

Maggie will be present to talk to viewers interested in her work during the opening reception on Wednesday, August 20, from 5-7pm, at Parish Press. Her work will remain at the coffee shop on display through the end of October.

Parish Press is Ruston’s brand-new locally owned coffee shop, located in the space that was formerly Crescent City Coffee. The shop, under new ownership by Bradley and Katie Walker, has been redesigned with a fresh new look. They have delicious coffees, and not to worry—they still serve beignets!

NCLAC presents art exhibitions that feature work by regional artists in partnership with Parish Press, located at 1007 North Trenton Street in Ruston. Works are available for purchase by calling the NCLAC office at 318.255.1450.

Today's Art Talk Monday (on Thursday) was written by Laura Hunt Miller, NCLAC Executive Assistant.

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!

Time to apply for Holiday Arts Tour!

I can hardly believe it’s true, but it’s already time to sign up for Holiday Arts Tour! The 17^th annual event will be held the weekend before Thanksgiving, November 20-23. As usual, this special weekend will feature visual artists and musicians, and we’ll be bringing back the poetry reading that was such a hit last year. We are also looking into carriage rides on Friday and theatrical street performers on Saturday. To close the weekend, we will be holding our second Community Variety Show, which will feature dancing, drumming, choirs, theatre and more. This free show, held at the Dixie Center for the Arts, packed the house last year and offered entertainment for the entire family. We’ve already been working on our print promotion for the Tour this year, including the brochure, and I’m excited about the new look. Graphic designer Rosalynne Fluty has been working this summer on the project. In order to get this amazing promotional brochure completed, it’s now time for our artists and merchants to sign up!

We are seeking shops in downtown Ruston who would like to host visual artists and/or musicians for Holiday Arts Tour weekend. This will involve staying open Thursday night for Main Street Christmas Open House, ad Friday evening and Saturday for Arts Tour shopping. Last year we had twenty-three merchants to participate in the Tour, including boutiques, flower and framing shops, furniture stores and more. Saturday is always a wonderful day with artists on site to talk to Tour-goers about their work. This is one of the special things about the Arts Tour: the public can interact so personally with creators from our region…people who make beautiful, interesting, inspiring, functional, unique items. It’s a perfect way for people to get a jumpstart on their holiday shopping, and with all the visitors coming in to experience the artists, it brings more people into our beautiful downtown to shop with our local merchants.

We are also seeking artists who would like to exhibit their work at a Tour site. After entries are submitted, they are reviewed by our Gallery Committee to ensure

quality and variety, and then we work to match artists and sites based on aesthetics, space, etc. We insist upon artists who make  unique works of art, rather than imported items or kit crafts. We also strive to have a variety of media represented in the Tour, so that shoppers can easily find jewelry, pottery, paintings, photographs, prints and more.

Because of the longevity of this program, and because of the consistent quality of the work presented, people travel for this event. Each year I meet people who say they’ve been “driving over for years!” for Holiday Arts Tour. This year we will have musicians in several shops on Friday and Saturday, with the schedule staggered so that Tour-goers can attend each performance. We take great care in pairing artists and shops, so that everyone involved has a good experience. One highlight for me from last year was an a cappella performance by Rhapsody Quartet in the window of Serendipity. The sound was lovely, and the visual of the sequined ladies singing in the shop window was so festive.

If you’re a downtown merchant who would like to participate as a host, or if you’re a visual artist interested in exhibiting your work, download an application from our site or pick one up at our office in the Dixie Center for the Arts, located at 212 North Vienna.

We will accept entries for sites until September 17, and for artists until September 22, at which time we must make pairings in order to finalize the postcard and brochure.  We will be happy to talk about this program with you if you have questions; call us at (318)255-1450.

This week's Art Talk Monday is written by Jessica Slaughter, NCLAC Executive Director.

A (Nick)LAC Post - Summer's End

This is my last blog post for NCLAC, and I have to say that it doesn't feel as satisfying as I thought it would. Two weeks ago I was involved with the Summer Arts Camp, the same week I started my new job. It was a crazy week, and by the end of it I felt readier than ever for the internship to end. But I don't feel that way now.

Now that it has actually happened and I have time to look back on the summer, I find myself a bit depressed.

When the summer started, I was afraid it would be like every other summer since I graduated two years ago, filled with many applications and much less luck. But thanks to NCLAC, I was able to occupy my mind with something much less random and much more fulfilling. I remember during the interview telling Ms. Slaughter that my motivation for applying was based on the fact that I was sick of the familiar and I wanted to do something new. This internship delivered everything. If it wasn't for this opportunity, I never would have visited the Farmers' Market and I never would have participated in the Summer Arts Camp, the two weeks of which were the highlight of my summer. I met some great people, too: Ms. Jessica and Ms. Laura, as well as my fellow interns Hillary, Tess and Rosalyn. It was by way of Hillary that I came into my current job.

Reflecting on the summer, I realize that I received everything I could have possibly hoped to gain from the internship and now that it's over I can't do anything but feel kind of sad. This has been one of the best and most eventful summers of my life. Thanks for everything, NCLAC, I hope you continue succeeding at the mission and have a good rest of the summer.

Celebrating Cultural Economy

     In the NCLAC office we spend a lot of time championing the ideals of an artistic community for the sake of, well, art and community. But we do believe we offer more, in that we are a cultural economy catalyst.      “Cultural economy” may loosely be defined as the assumptions, attitudes, and beliefs that affect the industries, businesses, and physical building environment a localized economy will support. For example, when I came back to Ruston to attend Louisiana Tech University over ten years ago there was not a sushi restaurant here, and if you asked anyone about it, most folks gave you quite a horrified look when you said you indeed wanted to eat “raw fish.” Today, most folks in town are very accepting and supportive of our sushi establishments. This is reflective of a change in our culture, a broadening of ideals and willingness to diversify our expectations, and the businesses we will support, that comes with the exposure to new cultures and experiences.

     But why do this? Are we wiping out the uniqueness of Ruston by adapting it to many new experiences, or enriching it? Many researchers in this field believe that when cultural institutions instigate change by providing exposure to new experiences it does enrich the community in question. For instance, as a student on Tech campus I remember going to my first International Scholarship Dinner. I had no idea Tech had students that came from so many countries, but after the dinner I warmly looked for these students and their cultural influences across campus. Within the microcosm of Tech campus a much wider range of cultural expectations is the norm and makes the student body stronger, while just a few blocks away in downtown Ruston the environment is basically mono-cultural. The type of businesses Ruston supports tend to occupy a narrow range, and without creative community members and cultural institutions, I believe it would be even narrower.

     I agree with Robert Putnam’s findings that an active and enriched cultural environment augment a society’s capacity to thrive socially and economically, and Richard Florida’s studies that argue creative community members are attracted to these enriched areas that foster more diversified interests and opportunities for greater artistic expression. Florida also states that these individuals bring new jobs and industries with them. Several examples of these conclusions that come to my mind are NCLAC’s relatively new downtown neighbors: Kelly Moore Bag, Makers Union, Fine Line Art Supply & Print Lab, PAIR Gallery, and Pastry Moon. These are only a few of the creative stores and owners that are fleshing out Ruston’s historic economic center, retaining a young and talented work force, and giving back to our community in the form of economic and social investment. Is it coincidence that these businesses popped up in the creative environment NCLAC has tried to foster? I like to think there is a correlation, and I hope the trend continues as entities like NCLAC, the Dixie Center for the Arts, and other cultural institutions remain invested and actively engaged our local community.

-Laura Hunt Miller, NCLAC Executive Assistant 

Tess Talk: Welcome to the Dixie Center Gallery Nina Stephens

They say that you can take the girl out of Louisiana, but you can not take the Louisiana out of the girl, or something like that. Lucky for us Nina Stephens has returned to her roots and is showcasing her collection of paintings at the Dixie Center for the Arts. Even though she lived most of her life in Natchez, Mississippi she couldn’t escape her Louisiana spirit.

The opening reception was during the third week of Dog Days of Summer and it was a great way to welcome the newest additions to the Louisiana Tech family into our fair city. Nina’s paintings are kind reminders of home as well as moments of tranquility. The students and parents instantly connected her piece LA Tech Bull Dog that included the beloved mascot in the main gallery. As her work continued to line the walls the guests saw a variety of landscape paintings, one of the being of Hideaway Park and others of an outdoor paradise. Further along in the lobby are some examples of Nina’s still life paintings which emulate the culture of Louisiana. And lastly the viewers can see Nina’s skills in her animal paintings. My personal favorite is The Man, a rooster baring his broad chest with his head tilted back in pride and authority.

While all of Nina’s paintings draw the crowd in with cheer and delight they have a deep meaning for the artist herself. She will tell you that her paintings are her therapy, a way of story telling and exploring the journeys life has taken her through. It is a release of her emotions and an outlet for her to express her memories and feelings.

Nina’s paintings will be on display for a limited time at the Dixie Center for the Arts. So come on over, sit for a while, enjoy the experience, and reflect on the simple joys in life. You can thank Nina for the moment.

A (Nick)LAC Post-Summer Hiatus Over

Welcome back, everyone! I know it’s been two weeks since the last time we posted, but I promise it wasn’t because of laziness. During the week of June 23, we held the Summer Arts Camp at First Baptist Church and it was a great success. And this past Saturday we were at the Farmers’ Market where I helped my fellow intern Hillary Clary with arts and crafts. Now that we’re back, I feel obligated to let you know how it all turned out. As I alluded to before, we held the Summer Arts Camp two weeks ago, which was my first time participating in the event, and based on Ms. Jessica Slaughter’s opinion, the week went much smoother than I expected. Ms. Slaughter told me the kids could get pretty rowdy, especially that week when we were expecting more kids than the previous week. Thankfully, the week was nothing like that. The kids acted well. There wasn’t any dissension or disobedience. Everyone listened to the teachers and Bethany, the camp coordinator, and had much fun.

Throughout the week, I was Bethany’s assistant and the general helper. Whatever she or any of the teachers needed, I aided them. I also shadowed Bethany to learn how she organized the camp, as I would be in her role for the camp in two weeks. Bethany was very organized which enabled me to get a good grasp on the process fairly quickly.

The teachers and volunteers were great, also. On the last day of the camp, we displayed the work the children created throughout the week and they were impressive, a testament of the work of the teachers. The play that capped off the camp was great, too, and it was even better as it was apparent the kids enjoyed it, too.

Saturday, July 5, I helped Hillary at the NCLAC station at the Farmers’ Market. Unlike the first time I attended the Farmers’ Market, the weather was really nice throughout. Another differentiation from my first visit was the amount of kids that arrived to participate. We were swamped with activity as more and more kids came by to make hats out of paper bags. Hillary and I were continuously transforming the paper bags into hats for the kids to draw on. When we did have free time, though, we visited some of the stations, in particular the station with the “muffin man (I’m sorry I forgot his name)” as he had many delicious-looking muffins on sale. I grabbed myself a banana nut muffin, and it was excellent. I said it before and I’ll say it again, I urge everyone to visit the Farmers’ Market at least once. If you do, you’ll most likely return.

That about sums up my last two weeks. I’m currently preparing for next week’s Summer Arts Camp, which is expected to be as populous as the first. I’m anticipating another great week with another good group of kids, after which I will report back and tell you about the experience. Until then, have a great week!

NCLAC's Summer Is Moving Right Along

This summer has been an eventful one for us here in the NCLAC office. We’ve had a team of eager interns who have helped us in our endeavors, and since the summer is almost over, their internships will end as well. Tess Stickney has been working for us with our exhibition-related programming. She has been the friendly face in the Dixie Center Lobby at each of the Dog Days of Summer Art Crawls. She has written press releases and blog posts, and has assisted with summer arts camps and farmers market projects. Hillary Clary has been our education outreach intern, working every Saturday at Ruston Farmers Market where children have been able to “make something with NCLAC.” Hillary also assisted and taught with our Summer Arts Camps. Nicholas Davis has been doing community research for us, reaching out to find new partners in our outlying parishes, and seeing how we can better serve our region.  He has also helped with the Farmers Market and Summer Arts Camps. Rosalynne Fluty has been working behind the scenes, designing print campaigns for the upcoming ARToberfest and Holiday Arts Tour. You’ll soon see her handiwork when promotion begins for these favorite programs. This crew has done a wonderful job for us, and they’ve been eager to help however we’ve needed them.  I find myself personally invested in our interns. It pleases me to see them find desirable jobs when they graduate, to see them volunteering with other organizations, and to see their involvement with the arts in our region. We’ve just finished our last art camp this week, which makes four weeks of camps this summer. We had 127 students total, with one camp for the Boys and Girls Club, two camps in Ruston, and one camp in Jonesboro. Thanks to our generous Picasso donors who donated scholarships, and to Ruston Kiwanis Club and First National Bank for sponsoring the Boys and Girls Club camp. An Entergy grant provided supply money, community members donated supplies, tireless volunteers and talented teachers worked diligently, and creative children topped it all off.

Our Keep the Arts Afloat Campaign has come to a close, with funds raised that will help our organization continue its work for another year. The winning donor this year is Kathy Hightower of Homer, Louisiana. Thanks to Kathy for her donation, as well as to each of our other KTAA donors. This fundraiser is a huge undertaking each year, and we are so appreciative of our community-members that make it possible.

The annual Peach Art Exhibit was a success this year, with many wonderful works of art displayed in the Ruston Civic Center. NCLAC Board Members Linda Snider Ward and Bob Ward, of Farmerville, will be Co-Chairs of the Peach Art Exhibit Committee for 2015. We look forward to having their leadership and expertise with this program.  They are both artists, retirees from higher education at regional universities, and members of the Union Parish Arts Council.

August will begin NCLAC’s fall membership drive, and we have exciting perks for our members this year. As usual, discounted tickets and tuition are included with certain membership levels, but this year we also have artist-made items for our patrons, guardians and benefactors. Be sure to keep an eye on your mail when our fall newsletter arrives for details about these benefits. Membership is the cornerstone of our nonprofit, and our driving force for arts programming.

New Season of Shows Announced at the Dixie Center

This week has seen a flurry of activity here in the Dixie Center for the Arts, and it gets me excited for fall when the new “season” of programs will begin. One of the best things about having our NCLAC office inside the Dixie Center is that we are able to stay abreast of so many cultural activities that take place here. This historic theatre gets a lot of use throughout the year, and if you have never been to an event at the Dixie, you’re missing out! Ruston Community Theatre, who last night opened their summer musical, The Sound of Music, has set its lineup for the upcoming year.  In October, they’ll hit the stage with Till Beth Do Us Part, a comedy about the ins-outs-ups-and-downs of marriage, directed by Satish Bharadvaj. The Christmas production this year will be everyone’s favorite The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, directed by Mitch Dufour. This one will have children’s roles, so be on the lookout for audition dates. Spring will bring the classic To Kill a Mockingbird, with director Nancy Wallace. Personally, I’m really looking forward to seeing on the Dixie Center stage! The season will end a year from now, with Bye Bye Birdie in July, directed by Dee Alexander. Who won’t want to see this one for some good old-fashioned fun.

The Dixie Center for the Arts itself has its new lineup of shows, and these will begin with Chinese Acrobats on September 27. Won’t this be fun!? Other musical performances scheduled are Jason Coleman in November, who will dazzle with the Piano Magic of Floyd Kramer; Jason Petty and the Swinging Cowboys in March; and Albanie Falletta and Thrift Set in April, who will entertain us with jazz of the ‘20s –‘40s.

Troupe Dixie, whose mission is to introduce new generations to the majesty of the Dixie Center, has set its schedule as well. September will bring back the Loud and Live concert series, with ‘90s music on tap for this year. October will feature the showing of a Reels and Chills Halloween movie, and their Merry Movie in December is always a fun night. Live events are wonderful here in this building, but there’s still something magical about seeing a movie in this space. If you haven’t done so, make plans see one here this year!

Our organization, the North Central Louisiana Arts Council, holds art exhibitions in the lobby throughout the year, featuring artwork by regional artists. September will be the Fall Crawl, where we’ll participate with other arts-businesses downtown in a walk-able art crawl. We also have Holiday Arts Tour activities here, including our Community Variety Show, which packed the house last year. In October, we’ll have opera singer Brenda Wimberly perform for Lincoln Parish 6^th graders.

In addition to the activities I’ve already listed, the Dixie Center for the Arts hosts the Russtown Band for its Christmas and Peach Festival Concerts. The community always looks forward to the annual Joe Woods Wildwood Express, as well as the March of Dimes Talent Show and the Dixie Horizon Talent Search.  Several schools hold events here, such as AE Phillips 8^th Grade Musical and Montessori School of Ruston’s Christmas Story Evening. For dates and other details, visit our website, nclarts.org, where we have a comprehensive community arts calendar. We do our best to include art activities throughout the region, so that it’s a one-stop source of information of places to go and things to see.

The next time you think there’s “nothing to do in Ruston,” take a peek at what’s happening at the Dixie Center for the Arts. It should be your destination for a variety of entertainment.

Art Talk Monday: Dog Days of Summer

You may be familiar with LA Tech’s annual summer orientation program, where loads of incoming freshmen and their parents descend up on our community. This year the University, the City of Ruston, our hard-working Convention and Visitors Bureau, and numerous downtown business owners have teamed up to make orientation an even richer experience.  Forty-four downtown merchants have agreed to stay open late on four dates this summer, two of which are still to come on July 9^th and 30^th. The orientation participants are “delivered” to downtown, and encouraged to check out our wonderful, welcoming downtown from 7-10pm. The “encouragement” is made sweeter for the students by the prospect of winning a prize if they visit each location. The response so far has been wonderful, with a lot of interest in what our town has to offer. NCLAC has been open here in the Dixie Center for the Arts and we’ve fielded questions about community band, what musicians perform at the Dixie, how to become involved in community theatre, when and what movies are shown, and what other types of art programs occur around town.

As part of the Dog Days project, several arts businesses are offering exhibitions for the summer. We are encouraging the public, as well as the orientation families, to join the Art Crawl, and see some of the talented artists we have here. An additional bonus event occurring at the July 9^th Dog Days Art Crawl will be NCLAC’s drawing of our Keep the Arts Afloat winning donor. If you missed getting your ticket this year, you still have time! As our largest fundraiser, this drawing is essential to the lifeforce of the arts council. Grab a friend, split a ticket 50/50, and you could still win $2,500. The easiest way to donate is through our site with paypal: nclarts.org. You can also call our office at (318)255-1450 to make your $100 donation. We urge you to help support our organization, as we work hard to support the arts in our region.

In July, some of the featured artists will be: painter Nina Stephens at the Dixie Center for the Arts; photographer Jim Osborne at Fine Line/Stitchville; painter/photographer Peter Jones at Studio 301; Meagan Awalt of Creperenee at Kelly Moore Bag; photographer Shawn Hood at Frame of Mind; and ceramicist Amanda Ebarb at Main Street Exchange. Other Art Crawl locations include Makers Union, PAIR Gallery, and Pastry Moon, each of which will feature a number of artists, including Bonnie Ferguson, Morgan McGough, Whitney Caskey, and many more.

The road construction downtown is at a halt right now, the sound of cicadas is soon to fill the air, and the Louisiana warm summer nights have arrived. Treat yourself to an evening out and come check out the talent…and the students who are choosing your community as their own.

Peach Art Exhibit Winners Announced

 

The North Central Louisiana Arts Council is proud to present the winners of the 28^th Annual Peach Art Exhibit! For the Youth 9 & Under category, Honorable Mentions go to Starry Night Moon by Ben Boudreaux, Polka Dot Giraffe by Mia St. John, Aspens by Rebekah Webb; 3^rd Place to Myself bySusie Welsh; 2^nd Place to Thirsty Flowers by Valerie Chatellier; 1^st Place to A Messy Room by Andy Lynn.

For the Youth 10 to 13 category, Honorable Mentions go to Calla Lilies by Olivia Roger, Spring Has Arrived! by Destiny Bearden; 3^rd Place toKing of the Desert by Jamie Palmer; 2^nd Place to Apple Still Life by Lyndsay Claire Hogg; 1^st Place to Neon Polly by Leah Price.

For the Youth 14 to 17 category, Honorable Mentions go to Amber Waves of Grain by Rachel Lee, Les Aristocrats by Vivien Ballard; 3^rd Place toPuppy Love by Leanna Epps; 2^nd Place to Serendipity by Kathryn A. Bryan; 1^st Place to Bengal Tiger by Morgan McCullin.

And the Best of Show for the Youth goes to Lauren Hartt, for her drawing Charlie.

For the Adult Miscellaneous category, Honorable Mentions go to Pulp, a handmade bookby Frank Hamrick, Purple Lotus, a digital paintingby Sherry Owens; 3^rd Place to Leaving for La Foce, a mixed media piece by Kit Gilbert; 2^nd Place to Reevaluation, a collageby Meredith McGregor; 1^st Place to Life Cycle (Worm Rest), a printby Hillary Clary.

For the Adult Original Crafts category, the Honorable Mention go to The Agate Sisters, a ornamental glass pieceby Betsy Gouedy; 3^rd Place to Papa’s Memory, a collage of weathered wood by Lana Benson; 2^nd Place to Lewellyan’s Fallen Oak, a natural wood tableby Patrick Blanchard; 1^st Place to Origami Crane, a metal sculptureby Morgan McGough.

For the Adult Photography category, Honorable Mentions go to The Gulls by Kori Teague, Blue Abyss by Shawn Hood; 3^rd Place to Spearsville, LA, April 2014 by Laila Al-Agha; 2^nd Place to Peaceful Fall by Kevin Beasley; 1^st Place to Smooth Respite at 86^th Street by Kevin Cuccia.

For the Adult Painting category, Honorable Mentions go to Metamorphosis by Rebecca Bennett, Old Pottery by SC Hartt; 3^rd Place to Peaceful Place by Connie Bryan; 2^nd Place to Pecan and Shell by Peter Jones; 1^st Place to Moon and Rocks by Marlen Waters.

For the Adult Drawing category, 3^rd Place goes to Vase of Flowers by Deondray Spivey; 2^nd Place to Zentangle by Marlen Waters; 1^st Place to Mike by SC Hartt.

And the Adult Best of Show goes to Dianne Douglas, for her watercolor Ponchatoulas.

Congratulations to all the wonderful artists on display. The show will be in the Ruston Civic Center until Saturday June 28. Artists should remember to pick up their artwork on Monday, June 30, between 10am-12pm when the show is over.