As Summer heads into its hottest months, River Oaks features one of the hottest exhibits of the year, the highly anticipated Summer Show entitled ‘Summer of Fortune’. “The pieces are inspired by fortune cookies given to the artists earlier in the year,” explains River Oaks Executive Director, Rachael Dauzat. “The resulting pieces were an ensemble of truly inspired work, featuring many different styles and media. It also reminds us all how fortunate we are to have such a great pool of talent right here in Alexandria.”
Summer of Fortune—presented in the Bolton Davis Gallery—featured artists include: Janet Ahrens, Rebecca Barrios, Martha Barton, Helga Benoit, Randy Brodnax, Tony Castricone, Jane Crowell, Rhonda R. Curiel, Babs Davidson, Alison Delaney, Leslie Elliottsmith (Photographer’s Guild), Michael Elliott-Smith (Photographer’s Guild), Tish Fresh, Donna H. Futrell (Photographer’s Guild), Laura Gates, Wilton Guillory (Photographer’s Guild), Caleb Lea, Denise Lott, Veretta Garrison Muller, Maria Manemann, Tony Martin, Cyndi Menton, Peter Milder (Photographer’s Guild), Leah Moreau Morace, Lindsay Moore, Barry L. Owen, Martha Pete, Pat Phillips, Lynn Sanders, Carole Steele, Margie Tate, JoAnne K. Thompson, Kayla Terrell, Marilyn Wellan, Myron Wellan (Photographer’s Guild), Jasmine Washington, Sheila White and Piper Wilson (Photographer’s Guild).
Coinciding with the Summer show in the Bolton Davis Gallery is a show entitled ‘Captured Moments’ in the Galerie des Amis, featuring work by Sheila S. White, a resident artist of River Oaks for nearly five years. In her first solo exhibit, White explores acrylics and texture through abstracts.
Rounding out the shows, which will be on display until August 17th, is an exhibit named ‘Local Shots’ by local photographer Charles Ward in the Stokes Harris Gallery. Ward will highlight a select grouping of twelve distinct photographs shot around town.
Even with all the outstanding exhibits, it is hard to not talk about the fact that River Oaks just finished out one of the most successful summer art camps to date, hosting over 180 campers in the months of June and July. “We will be showcasing some of the best pieces from art camp in a special show on August 20th from 4:00pm to 5:00pm,” says Aubrey Bolen, Artistic Director, who is in charge of the annual camp. “We are always amazed just how much talent is hidden in our youngest artists and we can’t wait to show off some of that unbridled creativity.” ‘Works from Art Camp’ will be a one day only showing, so we encourage students, parents and grandparents to view the incredible talent of our summer campers within a gallery setting.
“Of course, now it’s already time for the grownups to start thinking about their own talents–Van Gogh is right around the corner and we’re actively looking for Star Artists from the community,” adds Dauzat. “Our Annual Van Gogh Gala will be held October 29th right here at River Oaks and is sponsored by Rapides Regional Medical Center. We always pair outstanding members of the community (Star Artists) with established artists and the collaborations are auctioned off during the event.”
For more information on ongoing events or beocoming a Star Artist, call River Oaks at (318) 473-2670.
