After-hours art show celebrates 10th year

After a one-year hiatus, Terrebonne’s Art After Dark is back to celebrate its 10th year of bringing art galleries, restaurants and merchants in downtown Houma together for one night of fun.

Last year’s festivities were cancelled because of hurricanes Gustav and Ike. So far, the area has been spared any natural disasters, and event chairwoman Karen Kelly is hopeful that the good fortune continues through the month of September.

This year’s Art After Dark is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Nearly 40 regional artists, including painters, photographers, crafters, carvers and accessory makers will display their artwork in businesses along Main, Belanger and Goode streets downtown.

Studio 371 on School Street is featuring a number of artists at the dance studio. Kelly said the studio’s owners will also conduct lessons, ideal for those interested in sampling ballroom dancing.

Also, Houma author Denise Roper will display her new book, “The Lord of the Hollows” at the art showcase.

Roper’s book, according to Outskirts Press Inc., examines the Christian themes presented in J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series, and compares the English author’s work to that of J.R.R Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.

In addition, there will be several phantom galleries displaying artwork only on Main Street. The exact sites are still being finalized, and will be listed on the day of the event, Kelly said.

The concept for Art After Dark came about in 2000 when Kelly, a member of the Terrebonne Fine Arts Guild, was opening a showcase of her paintings at Downtown Art Gallery 360 in Houma.

That same evening at virtually the same time, Nicholls State University professor Mike House was closing his showcase at the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum. Kelly thought that maybe the two events should merge to offer local art lovers a night-out with the arts.

“Many of the same people that were planning to attend my show wanted to attend Mike’s show,” she said. “I felt it would be a good idea to have both running at the same time to offer art lovers more variety.”

Kelly pitched the partnership to the Houma Regional Arts Council and the event took off from there.

Before long, Whitney Bank and Southdown Plantation joined the mix.

The next year, Kelly was awarded a grant from the arts council to help pay for the event. The council continues to be a supporter, she said.

As time passed, the event grew steadily. In 2000, there were only five exhibits. By 2002, the event had 13 exhibits and nine phantom galleries. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the area and cancelled the event. It returned the following year, with 16 exhibits and five phantom galleries.

Now, three years later, Art After Dark includes 40 exhibits, a number of phantom galleries and live musical entertainment.

This year, the Terrebonne Community Stage Band has joined the musical lineup.

A spinoff event – Art After Dark Fiesta – was created to accommodate the large number of artist applications. Kelly said the two shows together form one of Houma’s biggest arts events.

Kelly notes the main reason for the event’s success is its diversity.

“We have artists from all walks of life,” she said. “They are all brought together by one common interest – the arts. But they are separated by their different styles and genres.”

Art After Dark’s participation is not limited to only guild members. Other artisans are also invited to apply for a booth to display their wares.

For more information on this month’s event or Art After Dark Fiesta can reach Kelly at (985) 851-2198.