Concerts
March 1, 2007March 9
March 5, 2007
As an artist and instructor, Louisiana native Ellen McCord is very familiar with Southern traditions and the regional culture inspired by the landscape.
McCord’s artwork celebrates South Louisiananfrom our local bayous to the streets of New Orleansnthrough paper pulp paintings. Her work will be on display at Southdown Plantation House/The Terrebonne Museum in Houma March 4 through April 25.
A free opening reception with McCord will be held March 4, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., at Southdown, which is located at 1208 Museum Dr. in Houma.
The objects in McCord’s collection preserve the local culture of a region that is unrivaled in terms of its distinctive architecture, landscape and wildlife.
“The paper pulp paintings are created in a process in which cotton linters are over-beaten so that the pulp is painted on a base sheet of paper using squeeze bottles,” the artist said.
The water is next vacuumed out of the paper, and the pulp is placed in a dryer.
“Torn paper, string and other natural materials are used to add texture,” McCord said. “Bold, vibrant colors and texture are used to add excitement and seasoning to the work with chalk pastels.
The art objects are fun to look at and invite the viewer to imagine these places in Louisiana to create their own narratives.”
The artist is a longtime fixture in the Tri-parish area.
McCord holds a bachelor’s degree in art from Nicholls State University. She served as a past director of the South Louisiana Center for the Arts in Houma, has taught privately in Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes for more than five years, and has been involved in numerous public art projects and grants.
“Ellen’s paper pulp paintings will be the first of their kind to be displayed at Southdown,” museum Director Karen Hart said. “I think viewers will be interested as much by the technical creative process as they are by the end result.
“Through her unique style and use of an unusual medium, Ellen offers a modern, fresh interpretation of the sights in our everyday surroundings,” Hart added. McCord’s exhibit is being presented by the Terrebonne Historical and Cultural Society.
Admission to the reception March 4 is free; however, admission to view only the art show during regular museum hours is $2. Admission for a complete museum tour is $6 for adults, $3 for children.
For more information, contact Southdown Plantation House at (985) 851-0154.
