Baton Rouge Gallery - center for contemporary art

Go inside the studio of one of BRG’s newest Artist Members, Scott Andresen, and hear how a tragic car accident set him on a path that led to handling fine silks from Uzbekistan. His exhibition, A Glimmer in the Distance, is on view at BRG through March 27, 2025 and focuses on the art of repair; and more specifically, how reparative actions have consequences both intended and unintended. Visit BRG this month to experience Scott’s dramatic fiber works alongside other shows from Paulo Dufour, Frankie Gould, and Paul Dean. More information at https://lnkd.in/g2BDc2cm. ?? J. Dorcas Brandon, M. Ed.

It was an honor to join LWCC and BRG Artist Member Michaelene Walsh at this year’s American Advertising Awards over the weekend. The nearly year-long collaboration between LWCC and Michaelene led to a 64-piece ceramic installation for the company’s headquarters that pays homage to the workers and industries of Louisiana. And it was a joy for us to bring them together and help facilitate it from the outset. The project was recognized by the American Advertising Federation of Baton Rouge with top honors in the Out-of-Home & Ambient Media category Saturday night! This was a collaboration between a local artist, a locally-focused nonprofit gallery, and a company that walks the walk of “Louisiana Loyal.” It was also a testament to the amazing things that can happen when businesses value and support the arts and when the arts are empowered to help businesses connect with those they serve. Learn more about this unique project at https://lnkd.in/gARFQUyJ.

Thank you to everyone who joined us last night for another magical First Wednesday Opening! It was so great to see BR show up to celebrate the new exhibition featuring Scott Andresen (making his BRG debut), Paul Dean, Paulo Dufour, and Frankie Gould. The exhibition is open through March 27 (free, Tuesday-Sun, 12-6pm) so please stop in if you couldn’t make the reception. Don’t miss when all four artists will speak to the techniques and inspirations behind their work at this Sunday’s ARTiculate Artist Talk (4pm). ?? Heather McClelland

Big, big thanks to the students from McKinley Elementary School who visited BRG today. They got a special treat for #225Day: to hear from Malaika Favorite about the stories behind her paintings in her current exhibition! The gallery was lit up with curious questions and excited interpretations and Malaika loved every second of it. The kids also got to hang out on the terrace and make some creations of their own after visiting with a local art legend. Can’t wait to have them back again in the future! #artseducation #batonrouge #brg East Baton Rouge Parish School System

Get to know one of BRG’s newest Artist Members - sculptor Michael G. Williams - by visiting his studio in Thibodeaux, LA where he uses metal, fabric, and wood to pay homage to southern Louisiana. Stop in before Feb 27 to see his debut exhibition, “Une Mèche” (alongside the work of Malaika Favorite and Tom Richard). ?? J. Dorcas Brandon, M. Ed. https://lnkd.in/g2FXiXy2

To the sweet mystery chalk writer who left this little note by our entrance this morning: Thank YOU! What a wonderful surprise to close out the year. And thank you to everyone who helped make 2024 such a memorable year at BRG. From the artists to the volunteers, the members to the visitors: We love ya and can’t wait to welcome you back in 2025.

As we close out an amazing year, we want to take a minute to welcome some incoming board members who will join us in 2025 and say thank you to some who've been a big part of BRG's evolution over the past few years. First, thank you to Wendy Green Daniels and Lani Boyd for agreeing to serve on BRG's Board of Directors, beginning a three-year term with the organization in 2025. Wendy is the President & CEO at Beechwood Residential, a staunch advocate for Baton Rouge, and a longtime supporter of the gallery. Meanwhile, Lani Boyd serves as the Deputy Commissioner of Elections for Louisiana's Secretary of State and has a diverse background that includes intellectual property law, art history, and brief stint as an educator. We also want to express our deep gratitude to Phillip LaFargue II and Kristen Hunter Macmurdo who are rolling off the board following two consecutive terms each. Phillip served as our Board Chair in back-to-back years and has been instrumental in a number of projects, most notably the BRG@BTR partnership that kicked off in 2021. Kristen leaves us having served on and chaired multiple committees and helping to introduce new faces to the board and the organization alike. We are grateful to all of our board members for their service, their dedication, and all that they bring to making BRG a stronger and more sustainable place for artists and audiences to connect.

A big, beautiful THANK YOU to all the beautiful people who made the last First Wednesday of 2024 such a great one! Despite some wet weather, Louisiana’s capital showed up to celebrate the latest from four of their own: Danielle E Burns, Brian Kelly, Rosemary Goodell, and Mary Lee Eggart! Special thanks also to Peter Simon & Raudol Palacios for the night’s sounds. If you missed it, join us this Sunday for ARTiculate (4pm, free) when the artists will tell the stories behind the work. The exhibition will also be on view through December 20. We love ya, Baton Rouge! See you in January for Surreal Salon 17!!! ?? Heather McClelland

Congrats and kudos to BRG Development Director Gwen Palagi on graduating from Leadership Baton Rouge tonight with the rest of the Class of 2024! Leadership Baton Rouge Alumni

While we install our next exhibition this weekend, we’re still riding high from last Friday’s KINETICS, presented by Hancock Whitney! We want to again thank all the artists, attendees, sponsors, and volunteers who helped the big night raise over $116,000 (a new record) to support the mission of connecting artists and audiences!! It was an incredible night with music, drinks, bites, laughs, and of course ART! For more than 55 years, BRG has been able to bring Baton Rouge and local living artists together because our community shows up and invests in how art makes our city better. KINETICS is just the latest example. Thank you, Baton Rouge! Images courtesy of the incomparable Heather McClelland