October brings great events to downtown Alexandria and River Oaks Arts Center! The centerpiece of our fall festivities, the Annual Van Gogh Gala, is scheduled for Saturday, October 29th at 7:00pm. River Oaks’ momentous fundraiser features exciting live and silent auctions from Star Artists within our community. Some “stars” have dabbled in the arts previously and some just have an interest in beginning a new journey, connecting with their inner artist. Working with a wide variety of media, Star Artists are paired with Mentor Artists to create exceptional, exclusive original works of art for this annual live auction event. Silent auction masterpieces by students from Our Lady of Prompt Succor will be featured in the evenings silent auction. In homage to All Hallows Eve and with this year’s event being so close to the 31st, the Van Gogh Gala theme for 2016 is Victorian Gothic. Guests are encouraged—but not required—to don their most fabulous mystical macabre ensembles. Find our costume inspiration link at riveroaksartscenter.com.
Star Artists for 2016 are: Randy Deaton, Megan Lord, Tami Blackwell, Dr. Erin Bear, Michael Duncan, Loye Ayres, Elizabeth Randall, Carla Guillory, Barbara Melton, Sandie Buller, Courtney Loyacano, Kellie Peyton, Morgan Brewer, Caroline Simons, Dr. Karren Laird Russo, Carrie Roy, Arledge Smith, Dr. Devin Tighe, Natalie David, Catherine Davidson, Hellon Kelley, Maggie Brasher, Joel Swisher, Dr. Anna Moreau, Charlotte Lyles, Amanda Bolton Chenevert, Lawrence Searcy, Allie E. Netherland, Jocelyn Tudor, Elizabeth Cassano, and Janet & Carl Ahrens.
The 2016 Van Gogh Gala is sponsored by Rapides Regional Medical Center and Alexandria Pediatric Dentistry. Tickets are available for $50.00 per person, with reserved tables available for $600. We recommend purchasing tickets early as the event typically sells out and tickets may not be available at the door.
While preparations for the Van Gogh Gala are in full swing, River Oaks is also holding some amazing classes with renowned artists during the month of October. Leah Morace will present a workshop—Marsh Bird Painting Series—on October 8th. The class fee is $125. Cory McCrory will present a Paperclay Workshop, part of the GAEDA Education Series, on October 19th and 20th, with a class fee of $95. Cory McCrory, a Sandwich, Illinois based ceramicist, was a functional potter, throwing on the potter’s wheel to make her wares. She began her intricate paper clay series several years ago as she found it allowed for more elaborate ceramic work. Cory incorporates her dreams into her clay vessels, thus her designs are a labyrinth of detailed ceramic storytelling.
Fall means ArtWalk for Downtown, and River Oaks will host its annual Fall Art Market on Friday, October 21st from 4:00pm until 8:30pm. The market will feature sidewalk art sales, live music, food trucks, a book signing and three new shows opening, featuring Cory McCrory, Margie Tate/Mary Louise Porter and Suzie Parker. Author John Kemp will be on hand for a book signing of his recent publication, “Expressions of Place – The Contemporary Louisiana Landscape”. Tate, from McNary, and Porter, from Natchitoches, are two Central Louisiana artists amongst the 37 artists chosen by Kemp to be featured in this visually poetic tribute showcasing renowned contemporary artists and the majestic landscapes which have inspired them. Suzie Parker, another Natchitoches native, will also have her mixed media works on view in the Stokes Harris Gallery. Sponsored by Rep. & Mrs. Lance Harris, A Rental Gallery and GAEDA, show dates are October 14th through November 12th, with opening reception on October 21st from 4:00pm until 8:30pm. The reception will feature two live music sets with Willow & Whisp and Dane Irvin.
River Oaks has a National Call to Artists for our 5x5x5 ArtShow with Guest Juror, Mark Tullos. This Online Call has a deadline date of October 14th, with the opening reception on November 18th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. The call is open to all contemporary visual artists working in any media. The online call link can be found at www.callforentry.org. Search: “5x5x5”.
With so many wonderful events happening in our little corner of Downtown Alexandria, be sure to stop by 1330 Second Street, call us at (318) 473-2670 or connect with us on the web or Facebook! See you in October!
