ART FOCUS
Every Man A King, But No One Wears A Crown

By Prof. Roy de Ville

Several anniversary milestones mark the year 2010. LSUA is 50 years old and there is a special celebration planned for each month of this year. The Catholic Diocese of Alexandria is celebrating 100 years since its relocation from Natchitoches. And, did you know that 2010 is the 75th anniversary of the assassination of Huey Pierce Long, Jr.? Long was shot at the State Capitol on September 10, 1935. Still no definitive answer on whether the fatal shot was fired by Dr. Carl Austin Weiss or by one of Long’s bodyguards aiming for Weiss. However, shot he was and dead for sure. But like so many Louisiana legends, his memory lives on and there are still stories to tell of Kingfish and his brand of politics.

When Long ran for governor in 1924, he began his tradition of wearing the white linen suit. Although he came in third in that election, his 1928 bid for the governorship was successful. It was during the 1928 campaign that Long coined the phrase, “Every man a king, but no one wears a crown.” At the time of his death, Long was a U.S. Senator pushing his “Share the Wealth” program. He was nicknamed “Kingfish” because of his devotion to the Amos and Andy Show on the radio. American composer, Carlisle Floyd, even wrote an opera, Willie Stark, on a character uncomfortably close to the personality of Huey Long.

The LSUA University Gallery will host an exhibit this spring on the life and legacy of Huey P. Long. We are collaborating again with the Louisiana Historical Museum for this presentation. Museum Director, Dale Genius, has acquired a significant collection of Long memorabilia. He has graciously agreed to loan the collection to LSUA for this spring show.

We will also be joining forces with the LSUA history department for this exhibit. Dr. Jerry Sanson, professor of history who has done considerable research on Long, will present a gallery talk at the opening reception. The dates for the show will be announced in the very near future.

In honor of the 100th Diocesan anniversary, we will also exhibit the vintage photography collection of schools, churches and the Temple in Central Louisiana. This collection is also made possible through the generosity of Dale Genius. Photographs are from both Mr. Genius’ personal collection and the Historical Museum archives.

We will finish the semester with a student show of pottery. The ceramics class has been working hard this spring and will offer some really fine hand-built pots for exhibit. This course returned to the LSUA curriculum this spring after a long absence. Response has been strong and the enrollment surpassed my expectations. We will be offering ceramics classes this summer at the beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. While our courses are designed for student curriculum, members of the community are always welcome to take classes as well.

Art is alive and well at LSUA and we invite you to attend our shows and classes. Check for forthcoming dates and remember, you are always welcome to visit us. For more information, please call me at (318) 473-6449.

“God’s Architects” on Southern Circuit Tour

By Alexz Currie

The Arts Council of Central Louisiana presents “God’s Architects” with Producer/Director Zachary Godshall as part of the Southern Arts Federation’s Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers on the Hearn Stage of the Kress Theatre on Friday, March 19th at 7:00pm.

“God's Architects” tells the stories of five visionary builders and their enigmatic creations. With neither funding nor blueprints, these builders, unbeknownst to one another, dedicate their entire lives to creating architectural worlds and realms that for most of us exist only in the wilds of the imagination. In the fall of 2005, filmmaker Zack Godshall set out with a camera, tripod and microphone to interview and document the work of Floyd Banks, Jr., a divinely inspired castle-builder living in the east Tennessee hill country. Four years later, Godshall completed a feature-length film that both examines and celebrates the work of Banks along with four other solitary builders who have constructed similar monuments. Beyond the builders and their work, the film indirectly functions as a personal essay that explores the nature of inspiration and one's dedication to a creative project, no matter how absurd or mysterious the circumstances may seem. “God's Architects” features builders from Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Tickets for the screening are $5 and may be purchased at the box office on the day of the screening, or in advance by calling the Arts Council of Central Louisiana at (318) 443-4718. Those with Silver Ticket Passes may attend a private VIP reception with the filmmaker before the show. The filmmaker will conduct a Q & A session after the film. A trailer for God’s Architects is available on the Arts Council of Central Louisiana’s website at www.louisiana-arts.org, along with trailers for each of the films featured in the Southern Circuit.

The current season of the Southern Circuit of Independent Filmmakers will close with the showing of Between Floors on Monday, April 5th at 7:00pm at the Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center. This film, a drama, examines the human condition through a uniquely claustrophobic lens, intercutting between five stuck elevators and the people trapped inside them. Each elevator becomes an existential purgatory, forcing its occupants to not only confront their isolation, but themselves and each other in varied and unexpected ways. Tickets for this film may be purchased by calling the Arts Council.

Get In The Groove At The Alexandria Musuem Of Art

By Catherine M. Pears

AMoA will kick off our fundraising campaign with the Opening on March 19th of “It’s A Mod, Mod, Mod World”, an exhibit of pieces from the permanent collection from the ‘60s and ‘70s and “Robert Warrens: the ‘70s & Beyond”. Warrens’ work can be found in many important private and public collections and his paintings have been featured in shows at the Whitney Museum of Art in New York, the Chicago Art Institute, and the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington. Robert will open the evening with AMoA Artist Talkback at 6:30 followed by a welcoming reception.

Warrens has been a prominent influence in Louisiana art since 1967 when he began teaching at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He retired in ‘98 as a professor emeritus. “In the ‘60s, I thought culture was imploding, moving to Louisiana was a real cultural shock. Louisiana was just mind-blowing in itself. You had the assassinations of JFK, Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther King, the Vietnam War, sexual revolution, the drug culture, student demonstrations, race riots – all this stuff occurring at once and I thought I needed to reevaluate what I’m doing. I’ve got to find an art that expresses the time period. So I tried to be as outrageous as the time itself,” Warrens said in a 2004 radio interview. This “Maestro” of the LSU Department of Art for over 30 years returns to AMoA with a survey of favorite works, past and present. His fantastical work is a wonderful companion exhibit to “It’s A Mod, Mod, Mod, World”.

Saturday, March 20th you can come to the museum for an art class exploring the pop art block printing technique used by many artists in the ‘60s and ‘70s. AMoA offers an art class for all ages in conjunction with all of our exhibits – children in the morning and teens and adults in the afternoon. Call the museum at (318) 443-3458 or visit us on Facebook to find out more about the classes; and don’t forget Yoga in the Gallery starts March 9th!

Watch for the announcement of “It’s a Mod, Mod, Mod World” and “Robert Warrens: the ‘70s and Beyond” in your snail mail or inbox and join us in our mission to preserve, exhibit and promote visual art throughout Central Louisiana by becoming a member of the museum. It’s your opportunity to contribute to the quality of life here in Central Louisiana. AMoA strives to provide quality programming, exhibits and events, as well as outreach programs, taking a collaborative approach, to meet the educational and cultural needs of our community. You can also join the Friends of AMoA and help us move forward our vision by volunteering your time to help with Museum Afterhours events, exhibit receptions, fundraisers, or as a docent to help with art education and outreach.

The membership drive will culminate with a member celebration/fundraiser on Saturday, April 10th. Members who join at the $500.00 and above will be given special VIP tickets to the event. Regular admission is $75.00. Please join us for Studio 933 a hip night club event with food and music featuring “The Mondrians” performing songs from the ‘60s and ‘70s for your dancing and listening pleasure. So get your boots walking downtown to move and groove at the Alexandria Museum of Art!

Call To Artists: Downtown Spring Artwalk

By Alexz Currie

The City of Alexandria along with the Arts Council of Central Louisiana is now accepting artist entries for the Spring Artwalk. The Artwalk will be held in downtown Alexandria on April 16th from 5:00pm - 8:00pm. The Artwalk is a free, family-oriented walking tour that features visual art and live entertainment. Downtown sidewalks, green spaces, and the alleys will come alive as local artists display and demonstrate their works of art. Artists will have booths set up in the Alexander Fulton Mini-Park.

There is no fee for artists or artisans to participate. Adequate space, along with tables and chairs, will be provided by the City of Alexandria for each participating artist. Those interested in participating should contact Alexz Currie at the Arts Council of Central Louisiana no later than April 1st by calling (318) 484-4471.

Leesville Art Walk

March 20th is the date for the Spring Artwalk in the Main Street District of downtown Leesville. This year, due to growth in participation we are expanding the footprint of the Artwalk which will be a celebration of regional contemporary and traditional art. Space at Artwalk is made available to student, novice and experienced artists from across the region. If you are an artist, or know an artist, please plan on participating. If you are not an artist but love this stuff, please plan on attending.

Some have asked us, “Why is all this artsie stuff happening in Leesville, of all places?” The answer is that the community and local businesses have embraced art and local artists here. They recognize art as a local natural resource and that these events bring in tourists, fill the hotel rooms, sell meals and build good friends. The quality of the work is something you won’t find in many other places. In addition, Fort Polk, located just 15 minutes away, is populated by Army families that have traveled the world and have learned to appreciate local and regional art. Fort Polk is also the second largest payroll in the state, and that doesn’t hurt sales.

During Artwalk Gallery One EIIIeven will host a reception for a Gallery Artists Group Exhibition that will be up during the month of March. Please plan on participating and coming to the 2010 Spring Artwalk in Leesville on March 20th!

The Arts Council Presents the Harlem Gospel Choir

By Alexz Currie

The World famous Harlem Gospel Choir comes to the Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center from New York City on Thursday, March 25th at 7:00pm. Through its dynamic performances, the Choir strives to create a better understanding of the African-American culture and the inspirational music called Gospel as it relates to the Black Church. The theme of every performance is “bringing people and nations together while giving something back.” The performance is being presented by the Arts Council of Central Louisiana with the title sponsorship provided by the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority (GAEDA).

Harlem Gospel Choir travels the globe, sharing its joy of faith through its music and raising funds for children's charities. The Choir presents the finest singers and musicians from Harlem's Black Churches and the New York/Tri-State area. In this new era of hope and change, the Choir's voices reflect the renaissance of Harlem's culture.

Harlem Gospel Choir will perform at the Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center on Thursday, March 25th at 7:00pm. Tickets are $22.00 for adults, $15.00 for seniors, and $10.00 for students. Special group rates are available. Performing Arts Series season ticket holders will receive a free ticket to a V.I.P. reception with the performers immediately after the performance. Other patrons may purchase a ticket for this reception for an additional $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children.

Harlem Gospel Choir will also present a school show at the Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center on the same day at 10:00am. Pre-registration is required to attend the school show.

Call the Arts Council of Central Louisiana at (318) 443-4718 to reserve your tickets today. Don’t miss this evening of unforgettable music by Harlem Gospel Choir. This event is supported by a grant from the Louisiana State Arts Council through the Louisiana Division of the Arts, The National Endowment for the Arts, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

44th Annual Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival

By Jennifer Wright

For more than four decades, the Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival has been committed to encouraging use and understanding of the arts as a means of healthy expression. This year, the festival will include a special program that blends music and dialogue intended to stimulate and invite fresh thoughts and feelings about peace among diverse members of the community.

“Reflections on Peace” will be presented at 7:00pm on Saturday, April 17th. Featuring Olivier Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time, a work that was written and first presented while he was interned at a German prison camp during World War II, the piece will be performed by Dr. Malena McLaren, clarinetist, Dr. Andrej Kurti, violinist, Paul Christopher, cellist and Dr. Francis Yang, pianist. Various perspectives on peace from Dr. Barry Hughes of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Rabbi Arnold Task of Congregation Gemiluth Chassodim in Alexandria, and Imam Orsen El-Amin of Masjid Al-Taqwa in Shreveport will be interspersed throughout the music.

The evening will conclude with Coffee and Conversation after the performance to encourage participants to find familiarity and similarity among the diverse people of our community, leading to a more peaceful coexistence with neighbors locally and globally.

The 44th Annual Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival will begin at 6:00pm the night before with the Opening Reception. This gala features a gallery talk by juror Larry Leach, a three-time recipient of the Tom Peyton Festival Award, and the presentation of the 2010 merit awards. This year’s special exhibit will display a collection of works depicting rural African-American rituals and religions by renowned New Orleans artist William Hemmerling. Also on display will be student art selected by the Cenla Art Educators Association and a showing of artwork by local art teachers. Jazz on Jackson, the festival’s alfresco coffeehouse, will be held on Friday, April 23rd from 6:00pm – 9:00pm, and will feature local music group C.G. Jazz.

All events are held at First United Methodist Church in Alexandria and are free and open to the public. The art exhibit is open daily from 10:00am to 4:00pm from April 17th – 25th and during all special events. For more information, please visit www.fumca.org or contact First United Methodist Church at (318) 443-5696.

City Park Players Presents “Steal Away”

City Park Players is proud to present “Steal Away—A Folktale” by Ramona King under the direction of Rosa Metoyer at the Hearn Stage in Downtown Alexandria beginning on Thursday, April 1st. Set in Chicago during the early 1930s, the ladies of the NWOYE (Negro Women’s Organization for Youth Education) have sent several young women from their church to college, financing the girls’ tuition with bake sales. Their efforts have been a success, but now, the Depression threatens the organization. Join City Park Players to see how the ladies manage to carry on and get the funds they so earnestly seek.

Due to the time frame that the Hearn Stage is available, CPP has adjusted its normal schedule. Opening at 7:30pm on Thursday, April 1st, the production will feature a special Saturday matinee at 2:30pm April 3rd, and continue with nightly performances beginning at 7:30pm April 6th – 9th. Two additional matinee performances will be presented on Saturday and Sunday, April 10th and 11th, each beginning at 2:30pm.

Individual and group tickets for each of the performances are available for purchase in advance. Call (318) 442-1800 or email cityparkplayers@gmail.com for more information.

Take “A Trip To Vienna” With RSO

By Joshua Zona

The Rapides Symphony Orchestra will take its patrons on a “Trip through Vienna” during its concert scheduled for Saturday, March 13th at 7:30pm at the Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center in downtown Alexandria.

The Austrian city of Vienna developed into the musical center of Europe during the Classical period and continued to be at the forefront of music culture through the 20th century. “A Trip to Vienna” will feature works from three different and distinct periods of classical music: Franz Joseph Haydn (the Classical period); Johannes Brahms (the Romantic period); and Alban Berg (the 20th century).

The main piece on the concert is Brahms’ “Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D Major, Op. 77” which will be performed by guest violinist Anton Shelepov. Born in Irkutsk, Siberia, Shelepov gave his first public recital at the age of seven. He is the recipient of several prestigious awards including the David Oistrakh Memorial Award and was a prize winner at the International Vronsky Solo Violin Competition in Warsaw in 2000. Most recently Mr. Shelepov won a joint position of violin in the Montclaire String Quartet and principal second violin in the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Since 2005, his orchestral career has included concertmaster positions in numerous orchestras.

Richard B. Crowell is the producing partner for the concert.

Tickets for the “Trip” are $25 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for students and $50 for a family (two adults and up to six children). Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling the symphony office at (318) 442-9709 and at the box office one hour before the performance.

Arna Bontemps African American Heritage Quiz Bowl

The 15th Annual Arna Bontemps African American Heritage Quiz Bowl will be held May 7th – 8th, from 9:00am – 4:00pm on Friday, and from 9:00am until completion on Saturday on the Louisiana State University at Alexandria campus. The event is sponsored by the Arna Bontemps Foundation and will take place amid a technologically-based format. Students will explore topics such as the African Past, Arts, Sciences, Civil Rights, Arna Wendell Bontemps, Current Events and more.

With the competition approaching, the time to form teams is now! The last day for team registrations will be April 7th. Each team will field three participants and an alternate, and must be supported by a sponsor or coach. The competition is divided into three divisions by grade classification: Division I for 5th and 6th graders; Division II for 7th and 8th graders; and Division III for high school students. Within these divisions, medals and United States savings bond prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place finishes. Each participant will also receive and official Quiz Bowl certificate of participation.

To learn more about the African American heritage, and to learn more about the legacy of Arna Wendell Bontemps, sponsor a team, coach a team or serve on a team, get involved in the Quiz Bowl. Registration forms must be completed and returned to the Arna Bontemps African American Museum, 1327 3rd Street, Alexandria, Louisiana 71301, by April 7th. The non-refundable registration fee is $100 per team. Each team will receive study guides formatted on CD and in hard copy. Additional study guides may be purchased from the Museum.

For more information, please contact Dessie S. Williams, Quiz Bowl Chair, at (318) 473-6473 or dessiew@lsua.edu.

Photography
Leading Lines

By Greg Mayo

Next time you’re out with your camera, pay attention to the lines made by river banks, railroad tracks, shadows, fences, buildings… just about anything that creates an edge. You can use them as leading lines, which are precisely that—lines that lead the eye from one point to another. Using them, you can guide the viewer through your image right to the main subject of your photo.

In the image you see here, the strong line on the truck coming from the right leads straight to the face of the subject. Two more subtle lines, the windshield wiper and the bed of the truck, let the viewer look around and then send them back for another look at the face. The leading lines cause the viewer to move their eyes around the photo and to look at the picture longer and longer.

Lines can change the feel of a photograph, too. Vertical lines, such as those found in trees and buildings, can indicate strength. Horizontal lines, like a beach or horizon, may suggest peacefulness and a sense of calm. Diagonal lines create movement, action and depth, while curved lines give a feeling of smoothness and balance. When lines converge in the distance, like those of a railroad track, they create a sense of distance. This is high school seniors’ favorite (probably because they are in a hurry to create distance from home and high school).

Leading lines can really add a dynamic punch to otherwise ho-hum shots. Teach yourself to watch for them. You’ll have more opportunities when shooting nature and landscapes than you will when shooting people. See if changing your angle gives the lines more impact. It’s usually best to avoid lines that cut the image in half, especially horizontally. Also, be careful that your lines don’t lead the viewer right off the image. Other than that, it’s pretty hard to go wrong. Give it a try. Your images will thank you for it.

If you have a question or a suggestion for an article, feel free to email greg@gregmayo.com. To read past Photography Focus articles visit gregmayo.com.