By now, everyone knows the funding concerns the Museum faces. Most museums and arts organizations face similar challenges with granting sources becoming slimmer and the economy challenging us all. AMoA continues to provide quality exhibits and arts-related programming accessible to all citizens of Central Louisiana and works collaboratively to serve our community.
Thilo Steinschulte Collection at AMoA, Travis Whitfield: Further On Down the Road, and Patricia & Juan Ruiz-Healy Collection of Contemporary Oaxacan Art exhibits continue in the galleries this month. The Ruiz-Healy exhibit is made possible through a grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities and the generosity of the Consulate of Mexican in New Orleans. The seasons will be changing in the Clementine Café – come on in to see what’s next!
Yoga in the Gallery continues on Tuesday afternoons from 5:30pm to 6:30pm and Friday mornings 8:30am to 9:30am. Joan Manuel leads us in this practice of building strength, flexibility and balance, while promoting stress release and relaxation. Yoga class is held in the peaceful setting of the third floor gallery overlooking the Red River and the Bentley Hotel. A pass for 10 classes is $80.00 for non-members and $60.00 for members, and is good for 3 months. If you want to just drop in, the cost is $10.00 per class.
AMoA is now partnering with The Diamond Grill to offer lunch in the Clementine Cafe on Wednesdays from 11:00am to 1:30pm. General Manager Ever Juarez has put together a limited menu with variety and flair with all items under $10.00. Come enjoy a lovely lunch in a beautiful setting and watch the Clementine exhibits change with the seasons. Beginning in December, we will be offering the Atrium as a private party room available for Wednesday lunches for $20.00 per person for groups from 6 to 20, so get your friends together, call in and reserve the atrium!
Second Saturday Market at the Museum fills the galleries and (if it’s not too hot) spills into the parking lot and patio. In an effort to support buying local, we are not only including art work, but also fresh produce and locally made food items. With the “slow foods” movement gaining momentum in neighboring parishes, AMoA would like to offer area residents the opportunity to purchase fresh, healthy and locally produced items. So, before you drive out of town to stock up on hard-to-find items, come check out the Second Saturday Market at AMoA. Artist vendors will offer one-of-a-kind art sales-tax-free, and AMoA will offer an art activity for children during the market hours. While you are here, check out the new gift shop, now managed by Karen and Tommy Faulk – it’s fabulous! A recent out-of-town visitor boasted that it rivals any museum shop they have visited, even in larger cities.
Saturday Seminars continue with drawing classes offered by New Orleans artist Joseph Pearson. Joseph spent time here after Katrina and will now be visiting AMoA to offer drawing classes. There’s still time to get in on the portrait class on November 20th. The cost is $50.00, and begins at 10:00am, breaks for lunch from 12:00noon to 1:00pm, and then continues until 2:00pm. Classes are for adults of all levels of experience; great for beginners or artists who want to brush up. Call the museum at (318) 443-3458 to sign up for this venture into drawing.
Museum After Hours happens on Thursday evenings. This month, enjoy City Park Players on November 11th with a readers’ theatre version of “All the King’s Men.” On November 18th, the Nashville Songwriters Association International of Central Louisiana presents a Showcase of Songwriters. This performance will be in honor of the life of Linda Hargrove, hit-songwriter, singer, and wonderful human being. The event will take place from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the Museum.
On Thursday, December 9th, join us for Christmas on the Bayou for the City of Alexandria’s 5th Night of Christmas. Be the first to view the Hunt Slonem: On the Bayou exhibit while enjoying student-decorated trees, a visit from Santa and a reading of “The Cajun Night Before Christmas.”
With sustainability and collaboration in mind, the Alexandria Museum of Art will continue to seek out creative ways to accomplish its mission while providing for the needs of our community. See you at the Museum!
