Black Heritage Gallery's 'A Pandemic Portfolio': Quarantine-Inspired Art and Upcoming Events
During a lunch break, I visited the 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center to immerse myself in the new Black Heritage Gallery exhibit, “A Pandemic Portfolio: Works Created in Isolation.” As the world paused amid the pandemic, local artists channeled their creativity into new works, much like my musician and artist friends who shared online during quarantine. I was eager to see the innovative expressions from the gallery's featured talents.
The 1911 building brims with diverse art exhibits, offering a delightful escape for art enthusiasts. On the second floor, the Black Heritage Gallery showcases 'A Pandemic Portfolio,' where artists freely selected pieces created during lockdown. Typically featuring themed or traveling shows, the gallery pivoted to highlight local talent when external exhibits were unavailable. Stella Brown Miller, Black Heritage Festival Director and Museum Curator, curated these ready-to-display works.
(Santa Monica Beach by Karen Fontenot)
The exhibit's unpredictability adds magic, with each artist bringing unique mediums and themes. Karen Fontenot's Santa Monica Beach captivated me with its watery blues and vibrant hues, evoking crashing waves, salty air, and swirling surf.
“This exhibit highlights local talent from professionals to gifted students, keeping the gallery vibrant during quarantine. We invite all to visit and join our upcoming gallery talks,” said Miller.
(I Am by Kevin Lemelle)
Highlights include digital photography by Tyler Simien, graphite drawings by Kevin Lemelle, and diverse works by Jeanine Blaney, Maleah Harrison, Lindsey Johnson, Malachiah Kennison, Timothy Lennette, and Robert Lee Robertson, Jr. Recent gallery talks featured several artists; upcoming events include Tyler Simien on Saturday, Aug. 8 at 2 p.m., and Robert Lee Robertson, Jr. on Saturday, Aug. 22. Masks are required.
(Beyond Measure by Tyler Simien)
Fall brings 'Cultural Expressions' from Oct. 2 to Nov. 25, featuring 15 Louisiana and Texas artists exploring life's beauty and intricacies.
For more on the Black Heritage Gallery, visit www.blackheritagegallery.org.
Mission: The Black Heritage Gallery leads diverse audiences in discovering African-American artists and nurtures talents at all career stages.
History:
The gallery, a project of the Black Heritage Festival of Louisiana, opened June 28, 2001, with a grant from the Junior League of Lake Charles, Inc. Its debut honored Negro leagues legends and Southwest Louisiana heroes. Located in historic Central School, it's one of 26 sites on Louisiana’s African-American Heritage Trail, announced by Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu in 2008. Since inception, it has showcased emerging and mid-career artists. In December 2019, it relocated to the Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center, hosting six exhibits yearly for seven weeks each. A vision of Stella Miller and Frankie Lane, it's Southwest Louisiana's only institution dedicated to African-American arts and culture.
Non-Profit Information:
The Black Heritage Festival is a 501(c)(3) exempt nonprofit; the gallery is a project of the Festival.
