EVENTS

 Teri Sullivan - Photography - Paintings

February 20th - March 30th

Teri Sullivan, a Mississippi native and self taught artist, with no formal training, enjoys photography, drawing and painting and continues to pursue artistic development today.

Ms. Sullivan began with an interest in photography while in college - she recently moved into painting with acrylics for her collage abstracts that begin with a 5 x 7 poster card.

Ms. Sullivan is a member of the Arts Council of Livingston Parish and Circa 1857 Studio on Main Street.

Business and Education Do Mix:  Leading Engineering Company Donates to School

When an engineering company recently moved to town, they were interested in technology and the local community.  ADD, Inc., a global leader in power and automation technologies based in Zurich, acquired Prairieville-based K-TEK Corporation in 2010..  After the acquisition, Robert Reynolds, a local employee and Denham Springs resident, learned of ABB's community enrichment conations.  Reynolds' special interest was The Arts Council of Livingston Parish.

Reynolds worked with the president of the Arts Council of Livingston Parish, Judye Averette, to submit for an ABB grant.  In December, they were awarded $10,000 for art supplies.  The Arts Council then added $2000 to the donation to round out the number so they could provide each primary school $500 supplies.

"We couldn't be more thrilled to provide this generous gift to our schools during a time when budgets are so limited," says Averette.  "Colored pencils, brushes, modeling clay, canvases...whatever the art supplies, these are important tools that help creativity bloom in our children."

ABB's John Schmidt, General Manager of the factory, stated that the company has a strong history in supporting education and community efforts.

"It's important to nurture creativity throughout our lives, from the earliest years on," says Schmidt.  "Whether you're painting the Mona Lisa or developing new level measurement technology, it's a win for our world.  Adding K-TEK to the ABB Measured Products business unit has been a win-win- win for K-TEK, ADD, and the Baton Rouge community."

The Arts Council of Livingston Parish is a 501 C-3 non-profit organization.  Their mission is to promote the diverse artistic and cultural resources of Livingston Parish.  They support established and emerging artistic endeavors and stimulate public for the arts.  Communities with strong arts and cultural values have strong economic and educational advantages.  The ACLP ensures a rich, multifaceted heritage for present and future generations.

UPCOMING EVENTS



Marita Gentry

Paintings By Marita

April 2nd - May 11th

Fine Artist and Illustrator

Marita Gentry has been an artist for more than 20 years, creating fine art paintings.  Ten years ago a teacher friend of hers asked her to help create a mural.  Marita did it!  That mural project catapulted Marita into the realm of artist in residence programs.  You know what she learned. Teaching art is her gift to share.  She loves inspiring students to create...as long as she doesn't have to give Kindergarteners glue. (smirk)  Anyway, Marita enjoys teaching K - 12th grades art.  She is on the Baton Rouge Artist Roster as professional teaching artist.  Since that first mural, about ten more murals have been created in different schools.  As Marita continued to create different programs for different schools and ages, she specialized in connecting art to the curriculum.  She realized that she had a great connection with children on all levels, especially an artistic level.

As time went by Marita was blessed with the opportunity to illustrate a children picture book for an award winning story teller, Dianne de Las Casas.  The book, "The Cajun Cornbread Boy" did very well.  So, another book followed shortly called "Madame Poulet and Monseiur Roach".  It also is a success.  She and Dianne have collaborated on two more books, "The Gigantic Sweet Potato", and "There's a Dragon in the Library".  They have a fifth book "The Dinosaur Mardi Gras" coming out January 2012.  Dianne and Marita have also collaborated on a professional development book for teachers, "A is for Alligator", "Tell and Draw Tales from A-Z". 

On a fine art level Marita has established a following in southern Louisiana.  She paints expressive paintings of the life around her.  She uses a variety of mediums to create her paintings. Her paintings reflect her love of color and elements of design.  It comes down to a very simple formula, Marita loves to paint and would with or without an audience.  She is thankful for the success she has been blessed with, and the chance to do what she loves. Marita is thankful for all the people who collect her paintings and illustrations.  She will continue to paint, illustrate books and most of all stay connected to students by working and creating programs for schools.  You can visit her fine art web site at www.studiomarita.com and her illustration web site at  www.maritagentry.com

Zinnia