Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin and the Friends of LSEM announce the opening of an extraordinary art exhibit of the works of Mary Louise Porter, landscape artist. The Summer Exhibition will open on Sunday, June 3, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with an artist’s reception. Light refreshments will be served.
Representing the Natchitoches area, the artist donated a landscape titled, Louisiana Vibrations, Red River Valley, 2017 to the museum’s Historic Mural Collection. The 7 x 12 foot mural has been installed at the entrance to the East Wing of the Rotunda. An artist’s talk and meet/greet, will be on Friday June 22, 2018 from 5-7 pm in conjunction with the trolley tour of the Norton Gallery, Meadows Museum and LSEM.
Mary Louise has a MFA and BFA in painting from LSU in Baton Rouge, and was one of 37 artists selected by author John Kemp for his publication, “Expression of Place – Contemporary Louisiana Landscapes.” Copies of the book will be available during the mural dedication, as well as giclée prints of the mural.
“My work captures the essence of the Louisiana landscape – its turbulent clouds bellowing up when a storm begins to brew, or the rustling wind sweeping across the grasslands. I create patterns across the countryside, cotton fields, and the sprawling oak trees along the winding Louisiana Rivers.”
According to Nita Cole, Curator, “Mary Louise’s color palette is reminiscent of the post-impressionists, but uniquely her own interpretative style. The colors are vibrant.”
The exhibition will offer a variety of small to large mixed media canvas paintings available for sale to the public. The original artworks truly represent the plein aire technique depicting landscapes of Northwest Louisiana.
The artwork of Mary Louise Porter will be on display on the west wing gallery from June 3, 2018 until Friday June 29, 2018. The public is invited to view the exhibit during regular museum hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The museum is located at 3015 Greenwood Road, between Hearne and Jewella Streets.
