Local artists vie for top honors

Several local foundations are teaming up to present the local arts guild’s 44th annual Spring Art Competition & Art Show at the Downtown Art Gallery 630 in Houma.

The Terrebonne Fine Arts Guild was organized in 1963 to promote art and the art culture in the parish.

In 1978, the organization opened its first art gallery with the donation of the Ferber Home. In 1999, Downtown Art Gallery 630 was opened in Houma’s historic district. From its original concept, Terrebonne Fine Arts Guild has emerged as a permanent, self-sustaining artistic organization in which the entire community can participate and benefit.

Art lovers are encouraged to visit the Terrebonne Fine Arts Guild’s gallery in March to see prize-winning paintings by local and out-of-town artists.

The free spring gallery tour begins March 19 and ends April 3 at the downtown gallery, which is located at 630 Belanger St.

The artists will be vying for prizes.

All competition prizes will be awarded at the discretion of the judges.

Former Baton Rouge resident Jane Brown will serve as local judge for the spring art show. She is a watercolor artist with a multi-cultural education.

Raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Brown lived in Metairie upon returning to the United States. Brown and her husband now live in Mandeville.

Accomplished artist Mickey Mullen inspired Brown’s interest in watercolor art in the mid-1980s.

Nearly 15 years later, Brown has participated in workshops presented by internationally known artists like Judi Betts, Terry Madden, Kathy Stone, Don Andrew and Skip Lawrence. She has also studied under Annie Strack, Larissa Ivakina, Patricia Pilie and Carol Creel.

Brown is currently enrolled at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, where she studies under Martha Guthrie. The Mandeville artist is also a certified art instructor.

Event Chairperson Cecile Evans said the local fine arts guild is accepting registration applications on March 14, from noon to 5:30 p.m., at the downtown gallery.

Gallery Director Jeannie Lopiccolo said eligible artists must submit their original work that has been done in the past two year. She said work previously exhibited at the spring art show is prohibited.

The entry fee for the art competition is $35 per non-members and $25 per members.

The art medias that will be judged are oils, acrylics, watercolor, collages, batik, pastel and the like. In preparation for the painting to hang in the art gallery, Lopiccolo said all painting must be properly framed and wired.

For more information, contact the Terrebonne Fine Arts Guild at (985)851-2198.

Terrebonne Fine Arts Guild Spring Art Show Chairperson Cecile Evans and co-chair Rose Portier showcase some of the watercolor painting.