NATCHITOCHES ARTISTS: CHANGING LANDSCAPES

SHREVEPORT, LA. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin invites the public to attend the opening of the “Natchitoches Artists: Changing Landscapes” exhibit at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum on Thursday, Oct. 12 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The exhibit features large-scale acrylics, oils and photography by artists William Beier, Massimo Bezoari and Anna Tapia MacDonald, and will be on display from Oct. 12 to Nov. 13 in the museum’s West Wing Gallery. The opening reception will be open to the public, and the Friends of LSEM will provide light refreshments.

Beier is a retired college professor, writer and artist who currently resides in north Louisiana.  He assembles his images from a variety of sources composed over the last several decades, attempting to exploit novel arrangements for stimulating cognitive experiences inhabiting the visual landscape. Exhibitions of his work include galleries in Los Angeles, New York City, as well as Louisiana.  He recently completed an art book formulating an alternative interpretation for experiencing and creating works of visual art.  More information about his artwork can be found at www.abstractjourneyss.com.

Bezoari retired from teaching at Northwestern State University in 2020, after he served as the Richard Lounsbery Professor of Chemistry at the Louisiana Scholars’ College from 2006 to 2020. A mostly self-taught painter, he attended classes at the Glasgow School of Art as a child growing up in Scotland.

“This exhibit of recent painting works features landscapes, cityscapes, portraits, beaches, and one still life. The Cane River scenes are local to the Natchitoches area—other works include past travels in Scotland, Italy and the U.S. in general,” Bezoari said.

MacDonald currently serves as the Head of Information Literacy, Library Instruction & Reference at Northwestern State University’s Eugene P. Watson Memorial Library. She previously worked in exhibitions and installations at the New Orleans Museum of Art and the St. Louis Art Museum. These experiences allowed her to connect with contemporary artists and handle artwork from around the world, while still remaining passionate about her own photography and painting skills.

“I draw inspiration from the world around me, whether I am exploring a peaceful garden, walking on a sandy beach, or traveling to new places. Themes in my work include unique architecture, ancient sculptures, nighttime scenes and hidden corners,” MacDonald said.

Visitors are invited to view the exhibit during regular museum hours Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum is located at 3015 Greenwood Road in Shreveport, between Hearne and Jewella Avenues. Admission is free and tours are available by appointment.  For more information about the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, go to www.laexhibitmuseum.org  or call 318.632.2020. For the Secretary of State’s Museums Program, please visit www.sos.la.gov/museums.