Talent showcases at Art After Dark,

The brainstorm of local artist Karen Kelly, Art After Dark will showcase the works of over 50 regional artists in Downtown Houma Sept. 8.

One Saturday in September, the downtown community celebrates the talents of local artisans, displaying their works in their businesses and at phantom galleries in 22 locations along Main Street, including Belanger and Goode streets.

Among the work to be displayed will be paintings – oil and water, pottery, photography, sculptures, fabric art and jewelry. A number of the pieces will also be for sale.

Art After Dark was born in 2000. Kelly, a member of the Terrebonne Fine Arts Guild, was slated to open a personal show at the Downtown Art Gallery. Shows had normally been held on Sunday afternoons, but Kelly opted instead to hold her opening Saturday evening. That same night, Nicholls State University instructor Mike House was closing his show.

“Many of the same people that would have attended my show were planning on attending his show,” Kelly said.

During a conversation with the Houma Regional Arts Council, the idea for a joint event was raised.

Before long, Whitney Bank, which had a sculpture exhibit on display, artist Carolyn Pellegrin and Southdown Plantation joined the mix.

A miniature version of today’s Art After Dark was created.

“It shows what happens when you have all the forces coming together for a common good,” Kelly said. Despite rainy weather, she said a number of people turned out for the initial show.

The following year, Kelly was able to obtain a grant from the Terrebonne Parish Funding Program to help pay for Art After Dark. It continues to be a supporter of the event.

It was also decided to keep the exhibits centralized to one location so event-goers didn’t have to drive from exhibit to exhibit.

“It just has continued to grow from there,” Kelly said. In fact, Art After Dark is now held twice annually – in the fall and the spring (Art After Dark Spring Fiesta).

“Two or three artists come back year to year,” she said. “But the majority are new exhibitors.”

The great thing for artists is that they don’t have to be members of the Terrebonne Fine Arts Guild to participate. “Only six or seven (artists) are guild members this year,” she noted.

Kelly said she makes it a point to try to include all of the artists who ask to participate. “Hopefully we will be able to do again this year,” she added.

Among the locations exhibiting art works this year are:

Downtown Art Gallery 630

The Lunch Basket

The Scarlet Scoop

Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum

Whitney Bank

Coffee Zone

Café Milano – Aficionados

Edward Jones Investments

Le Petit Theatre de Terrebonne

Terrebonne Folklife Cultural Center

Kelly said a few locations are hosting small receptions, while others open for business.

“Café Milano has said that September’s Art After Dark is actually their biggest night for the bar and restaurant. People come down, hang around and check out downtown Houma that night.”

Music is also a big part of the celebration. The Houma Terrebonne Community Stage Bank is scheduled to perform in the Court Square and live music can be heard at a number of the other venues.

And LeFevre’s Art Supply is providing a large canvas for the entire community to contribute its talents toward. Kelly said the project will be set up near the old City Court building. Visitors are invited to add to the painting.

“It really is a great way to celebrate local artists and see what Downtown Houma has to offer,” Kelly said. “This is a wonderful family event. It’s just what I was hoping it would become.”