Mr. Randolph "Raymond" Brown
November 2, 2006
HONORING AMERICA’S SOLDIERS
November 7, 2006
Prefer fine original artwork and hand made knick-knacks than clothes, shoes and other gifts for the holidays, then the annual Christmas Show and Sale hosted by the Terrebonne Fine Arts Guild is the place to be.
The Christmas Show & Sale, set for Nov. 17 through Dec. 29, showcases the works of more than 35 guild members in the Tri-parish area. For the past two decades, the show and sale has been a success, attracting hundreds of art lovers from all over the region, according to local guild member Karen Kelly.
She said what makes this event so special is that you can get original pieces of artwork from local artists. Keeping current work in the showroom is each artisan’s goal, she said.
The five-week show kicks off Nov. 18 with a reception featuring local artists Crystal Brown, Nita Hodges, Walterine Bourg and Otis Dobson to name a few.
The reception is held in conjunction with Houma’s Main-to-Main Street Fall Festival. The Fine Arts Guild will have an art booth at Courthouse Square with many local artists’ work on display.
“The show is five weeks because it gives shoppers time to come in and get the perfect gift for their loved ones,” Kelly said.
Terrebonne Fine Arts Guild President Aleta Leckelt promises a unique display of artwork since those participating specialize in several genres. The one emerging medium, she said, is watercolors – realistic and abstract. Leckelt said one artist even showcases her holiday ornaments on a Christmas tree to give viewers a glimpse of how their tree could look.
The Fine Arts Guild held its first show at Southland Mall in Houma, Kelly said. Once the organization had its own location, the artists began to really step up the caliber of artwork. Their goal was to get the Tri-parishes accustomed to visiting an art gallery, she explained.
“For the sale we tend to focus more on the smaller paintings, Christmas crafts, jewelry and pottery,” Kelly said. “When you buy a gift for someone, you never know what type of space they have for the paintings in their home or office.”
Paintings of all sizes – medium to large – will be on sale.
“The artists try to change things up a bit focusing on works that are abstract, impressionistic and realistic,” Kelly said. “For the show, they tend to do paintings geared toward Christmas.”
The event will take place at the Downtown Gallery, located at 630 Belanger Street, Nov. 17 through Dec. 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The opening reception will at the gallery is on Nov. 18. For more information, contact the Terrebonne Fine Arts Guild at (985) 851-2198.
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