October is easily the busiest month of the year on the Arts Calendar in Central Louisiana. We finally get a break from the oppressive heat of summer and get to move outdoors for fellowship and fun. At AMoA, we are excited about our Second Saturday Market at the Museum spilling out into the parking lot as our vendor numbers have increased. That happens on Saturday, October 9th from 9:00am to 1:00pm; so make sure you make it by the museum to check out the products, food and of course, one-of-a-kind art!
That Saturday also marks the beginning of our Art to Go program in the classroom on the second floor offering resources to elementary classroom teachers. AMoA has partnered with the Central Louisiana Art Educators to facilitate hands-on projects and lesson plans for elementary teachers to take back to their classrooms and to receive in-service credit for the workshop. The museum is proud to work with Certified Art Instructors, Brenda Howell and Karen McPherson who will provide instruction and guidance. Beginning this school year, all elementary teachers are required to teach one hour of visual art in the classroom each week. The Alexandria Museum of Art is happy to provide resources for this vital need in our education system.
Another highlight this month is the fall ArtWalk with exhibit openings at all of our downtown arts venues, as well as artist vendors along the sidewalks of our Cultural Arts District. The exhibits at the Alexandria Museum of Art opening this month include Thilo Steinschulte Collection at AMoA, Patricia & Juan Ruiz-Healy Collection of Contemporary Oaxacan Art, and Travis Whitfield: Further On Down the Road.
Thilo Steinschulte Collection at AMoA will be on exhibition from October 15th to December 4th. The Museum is proud to honor architect, artist, collector and philanthropist, Thilo Steinschulte for his generous contribution to the Museum’s permanent collection and to the cultural integrity of our community. Thilo’s friends and family members will facilitate an informal discussion with the Museum audience at 8:00pm at the Opening Reception, paying tribute to his passion for the arts and his remarkable legacy at AMoA.
Patricia & Juan Ruiz-Healy Collection of Contemporary Oaxacan Art will grace the galleries from October 15th through November 24th. This art work comes to AMoA through the generosity of the Ruiz-Healys of San Antonio, Texas and Mexico and the Mexican Consulate in New Orleans. A special reception for this exhibit, co-sponsored by AMoA and the Mexican Consulate in New Orleans, will be held on Friday, October 22nd from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature a gallery talk at 7:00om by art historian, collector, and PhD candidate, Patricia Ruiz-Healy, catering by Mi Tierra Cocina Mexicana of Forest Hill, and authentic Mexican music.
Travis Whitfield: Further On Down the Road will be at AMoA from October 15th through February 26th. Artist Travis Whitfield discovered the small town of Keachi, Louisiana on his many trips between Shreveport and Houston in the early ‘70s. He settled there, inadvertently becoming the town’s appointed archivist, preservationist, historian, and, finally, Mayor. Further On Down the Road includes a compilation of photographs, video, furniture and artifacts capturing the culture and life of the African-American community there. The exhibit also includes paintings and drawings by the artist. AMoA is honored to be the first Louisiana Museum to receive this exhibit after its debut in Houston.
The Museum Afterhours event this month has a Halloween theme with an original horror film by local filmmaker, Patrick Clinton to be shown on Thursday, October 28th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. The event is free to AMoA members and LSUA film club members; and regular museum admission for non-members. Costumes are encouraged!
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.
