As summer art camp winds down and the temperature goes up for this last sweltering month of summer, programming remains strong at AMoA. Our opening in July was great fun with the focus on local artists. In Forest Light by Brooks DeFee, Associate Professor of Painting and Drawing at NSU and the annual exhibit by the Contemporary Artists Guild of Central Louisiana continues through the 14th of this month. Local doctor and designer Larry Menache selected the winners for the CAG show and had to admit it was a great challenge. First place went to Tommy Faulk, second place to Laura Gates, and third place to Jo O’Quinn. Honorable mentions went to Joe Appalucci, Margie Tate and Rosalind Berg.
The Clementine Hunter Café features the exhibit Rural Life: Recreation, a collection of original Clementine Hunter paintings on summertime activities. We are enjoying the seasons change through the eyes of Clementine our Café. Watch for news about lunches in the Café on Wednesdays Starting in September!
We would like to thank everyone for their wonderful response to our new Alexandria Museum of Art Gift Shop. Tommy and Karen Faulk, former owners of Delicious Art have done a great job and continue to bring in interesting and creative items for sale – come in and check it out.
Joan is back from Kripalu Yoga School, and Yoga in the Gallery continues on Tuesdays from 5:30pm – 6:30pm and Fridays from 8:30am – 9:30am. We continue to gather in the peaceful setting of the overhang gallery overlooking the river for this wonderful practice. We welcome new members of all ability levels, so please join us!
The end of the month brings new exhibits to the museum. From August 27th to October 8th, AMoA is pleased to present the 23rd September Competition in our third floor galleries. This juried international competition consists of 50 pieces selected by Professor of Painting at LSU, Kelli Scott Kelley. Ms. Kelley will announce the winners of the competition during her talk at the opening reception. AMoA offers $2,000 in prize money for this exhibit. The September Competition is always a crowd pleaser and not to be missed.
In the downstairs galleries AMoA offers A Sampler from the Arnold Aubert Vernon Collection. This former Alexandrian and current Californian has spent over half a century collecting artifacts, art and representative period objects. This particular sampling represents Mr. Vernon’s generous donation to the LSUA Foundation for the benefit of students and citizens of Central Louisiana. Following its introduction at the Museum, the collection will be on permanent display on the LSUA campus. This exhibit is part of LSUA’s 50th year celebration.
The AMoA education gallery welcomes Central Louisiana Art Educators: Those Who Can. Come enjoy the opportunity to see artwork created by the art teachers of our area, who are devoted to bringing quality arts instruction to Central Louisiana Schools. We often display student artwork at AMoA and are happy to offer the opportunity for instructors to exhibit their own work. The Opening Reception for these exhibits is Friday, August 27th from 6:30pm – 8:30pm. This event is free and open to the public.
On Saturday, August 28th at 7:00pm, we welcome the return of Smithfield Fair, a trio of songwriters and acoustic musicians including Alexandria natives: brothers Robert Smith and Brian-Dudley Smith and Brian-Dudley’s wife, Jan Smith. They’ll be joined by guest guitarist, David Praet. Their talent has earned them a devoted following over the years, and it promises to be a great evening of music at the museum. Tickets are on sale for $12.00, so please call the museum at (318) 443-3458 to purchase tickets.
As you can see, the Alexandria Museum of Art continues to offer quality programming in the arts to Central Louisiana—and plan to do so in the future.
