The Imperial Calcasieu Museum is thrilled to announce the opening reception for The Residency at the Museum: Cohort Two on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Gibson-Barham Gallery. This celebratory event will showcase the innovative works of three local artists and unveil the History of Mardi Gras exhibit, a vibrant tribute to Louisiana’s unique cultural heritage. The evening will include a Gallery Talk with the resident artists and a King Cake tasting featuring local bakeries.
The Residency at the Museum (RATM) program provides a nine-month residency for artists to advance their craft while engaging the community. This year’s cohort features:
- Robbie Austin: Capturing local nostalgia, Robbie’s work reflects his deep ties to Lake Charles and its history. “This residency invokes nostalgia and calls forth artistic ambitions that need to be realized within walking distance of Charlie’s Lake.”
- Elizabeth “Bit” Thompson: Transitioning from photography to textile art, Elizabeth explores the interplay of light, shadow, and texture. “My current work has been an exploration of the very two-dimensional element of a line and using it in a more three-dimensional way.”
- Lyd Walls: Known for exploring the themes of growth, vulnerability, and authenticity, Lyd is embracing new artistic directions of experimentation by mixing mediums, hues, and textures.
The History of Mardi Gras exhibit celebrates this tradition’s grandeur and grassroots spirit. Highlights include:
- An exclusive collection of royal gowns by designer Deborah Lynn Dixon, showcasing her signature emBELLAtex technique and over 27 years of craftsmanship for the Krewe of Contraband.
- A tribute to unique Mardi Gras customs, including Courier de Mardi Gras and the Black History of Mardi Gras, reflecting the rich and diverse cultural roots of this beloved celebration.
The event is free and open to the public.
The RATM program has been made possible by generous donations from: The Shearman Foundation, The City of Lake Charles, Visit Lake Charles, Brashear Law, The Reynolds Family, The Filo Family, and Bob and Sarah Jones. It is also supported by a SWLA Convention & Visitors Bureau Tourism Marketing Grant from the Lake Charles/SWLA Convention & Visitors Bureau as administered by the Arts Council of SWLA. Funding for the Louisiana Culture Care Fund grants has been provided by the Nation Endowment for the Humanities and administered by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities as part of the Corona Virus Aid, Relief, Economic Security Act economic stabilization plan.
