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2014 was a great year for the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts, marked by many successes for our arts in education programs, as well as an exciting new partnership with the White House.
This year GRFA:
Awarded $50,000 in college scholarships
Over 700 high school juniors and seniors from across Louisiana entered our 2014 Art Contest, with 21 finalists sharing $50,000 in college scholarships. In partnership with Audubon Nature Institute, the theme for the contest was "Louisiana's Natural Beauty." The winning artwork went on tour to museums in Alexandria, Lake Charles, Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans, LA.
Became Program Director for Turnaround Arts: Louisiana
This year we were honored to be chosen by the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities (PCAH) to be program director of Turnaround Arts: Louisiana, an education initiative designed to turn around low-performing schools through arts-integration. Schools in the Turnaround Arts program see a boost in academic achievement, motivated student learning, and improved school culture.
Added 3 new schools to our Louisiana A+ Schools network
Three new schools were added to our Louisiana A+ Schools program - making for a total of nine member schools. LAA+ is a research-based whole school program with a mission of nurturing creativity in every learner through arts-integration curriculum. Essential to the success of this program is the LAA+ Summer Institute, where we provide a weeklong training in arts-integration. This year we hosted over 500 educators at the Summer Institute!
Brought Arts Education Outreach to California
In October, GRFA brought arts education outreach and fieldtrips to students and families in the Carmel community. We visited Mary Chapa Literacy and Technology Academy (a Turnaround Arts: California school) for a morning of creativity and painting. Families also joined us at the Rodrigue Studio Carmel for a special community art-making day.
Donated 15 pianos to LSU School of Music
In September, the Estate of George Rodrigue unveiled a posthumous silkscreen print called "Take Five" in an edition of 950. Proceeds from the sales were used to purchase 15 new upright Steinway pianos for the students of the LSU School of Music.
Won Best Illustrated Cookbook in America
The Pot & The Palette Cookbook, featuring original artwork by Louisiana high school students from our 2013 Art Contest, was named Best Illustrated Cookbook in America by Gourmand Magazine. Because of its popularity, it has already entered a third printing. This publication was produced in partnership with the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation and features 100 recipes from Louisiana's best chefs.
We are looking forward to great things in 2015!
Catching Up With Audrey Marsh, Winner of the 2014 Art Contest
This is a guest post written by Audrey Marsh, 1st Place scholarship winner in our 2014 Art Contest. Audrey is currently a student at Tulane University in New Orleans.
For as long as I can remember, art has been a central part of my life. When I was a kid, I could usually be found chalking pictures onto the patio or covering various pieces of furniture with craft paint. Drawing and painting were my first two loves, allowing me to recreate the world around me in my own way. I took a watercolor class when I was young, but for the most part I enjoyed teaching myself how to use different media, be it watercolor, acrylic, charcoal, etc. When I was in middle school I began doing commissioned work (generally portraits) and I continued into high school where I was also able to do other types of work including nature and city-life.
Sample of commissioned artwork prior to the GRFA Art Contest
In my senior year of high school, my art teacher encouraged me to enter the GRFA contest of which the theme was "Louisiana's Natural Beauty." I was very surprised when my design won and I received the scholarship. The fact that my work had been recognized out of all the entries greatly boosted my confidence as an artist, especially since there are so many talented young artists in Louisiana. Winning the GRFA contest helped me with college tuition but even more importantly helped me get my name out in the community. As I hope to stick around in Louisiana for a while, I believe this contest was the stepping stone that will allow me to become the artist I always knew I would be.
At Tulane University, I am working toward becoming a biomedical engineer. My hope is that in the future I will be able to design prosthetics for individuals with disabilities. While engineering may seem a surprising choice for someone interested in the arts, I believe that having an artistic side is very beneficial to succeeding in math and science. It's all about solving problems, which is not too different from drawing, painting, or creating. I have always believed that I could use my art in a direct way to help people, and biomedical engineering seemed to open a lot of doors for me as there are many design elements in which my creative side will come in handy. Despite all of the math and science classes in my schedule, I still have time to take art classes now and again. This semester I took an acrylic painting class, and outside of class I have been able to find several other creative outlets as there is no shortage of artistic opportunities in New Orleans. Since art is something I love, I always make time for it no matter how busy I am otherwise. In the words of Moffat Machingura: "Follow your dreams. I am not saying it's going to be easy, but I am saying it's going to be worth it."
A sample of my work at Tulane University
Entries are now being accepted for our 2015 Art Contest in partnership with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. Click the photo below to learn more.
Rodrigue Studio Donates 15 Pianos to the LSU School of Music
On Monday, December 1st, Christmas came early for students at the LSU School of Music. That day Hall Piano Co. delivered 15 new upright Steinway pianos for students to use in classrooms. This donation marks the culmination of three-year partnership between the Rodrigue Family and the LSU School of Music.
In September, the Estate of George Rdorigue unveiled a posthumous print called "Take Five" in an edition of 950, with proceeds from the sales used to purchase the pianos. Click the photo below to see footage from this exciting event!
Thanksgiving is a time of reflection and gratitude, a time to acknowledge the many blessings in our lives. We at the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts wanted to take the opportunity to let you - our friends, supporters, and partners - know how thankful we are for your encouragement and confidence in all that we do. Our mission to promote the development of youth through the arts requires the support and engagement of many individuals.
Today, we'd like to share our messages of gratitude with you:
"I'm so thankful that we have such a strong team in Louisiana dedicated to keeping arts in schools in a meaningful way. Without the staff of both George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts and Louisiana A+ Schools, plus the dedicated LAA+ Fellows and teachers in our LAA+ schools, our foundation would never be able to enrich the lives of so many students through the arts. We are destined to see higher test scores, fewer discipline problems and increased attendance because of the work that these hundreds of people do. My family and I will be forever grateful for their hard work."
- Jacques Rodrigue, Executive Director
"Thank you to all of the sponsors, donors, and partners that make our programs and projects a reality. We couldn't do it without you."
- Wayne Fernandez, Development Director
"I am thankful for the opportunity to work with great people, carry on Mr. Rodrigue's legacy and help the young people of our state realize their creativity through a quality arts education."
- Gus Anderson, Director of Operations
"The arts meant so much to me growing up, and I'm so thankful to be part of programs that inspire lifelong creativity in young people."
- Rachel Gaudry, Special Projects & Communications Coordinator
"I am thankful for the amazingly talented and hardworking teachers and school leaders that are part of the LAA+ Network."
- Bethany France, Director of Louisiana A+ Schools
"I am thankful for the opportunity to work with amazing colleagues, Fellows, and educators who have dedicated their lives to cultivating the next generation of artists."
- Kim Leavitt, Deputy Director of Louisiana A+ Schools
"'I'm thankful to be associated with a company whose mission is not only educational, but philanthropic, while nurturing creativity and curiosity in the minds and hearts of Louisiana's youth!"
- Jordan Haddad, Events & Office Coordinator of Louisiana A+ Schools
Happy Thanksgiving!
Last week, the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) held their annual meeting in New Orleans, and the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts was pleased to be presenting sponsor and host for two of their networking events. This community of state arts agency staff and appointed council members is a national network of arts leaders. In addition to many peer sessions, attendees enjoyed a special keynote address by Dr. Jane Chu, the newly appointed chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.
On November 11, members of NASAA's Arts Education Mangaers Professional Development Institute had their opening reception at Rodrigue Studio in the French Quarter. The event, which brought together colleagues for informal networking and refreshments, was co-sponsored by the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts and Louisiana Partnership for the Arts.
Jacques Rodrigue welcomes NASAA's Arts Education Managers to their opening reception at Rodrigue Studio.
The following evening, NASAA's Board Members gathered at Rodrigue Studio for their annual dinner meeting. Jacques Rodrigue welcomed guests to the gallery with a tour of the current Memorial Retrospective and an overview of the arts education programs provided by the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts.
Jacques also presented a session at the NASAA conference on behalf of GRFA. His session, "How a Blue Dog Is Transforming Schooling in Louisiana," shared the origins of George Rodrigue's iconic Blue Dog image, its community impact, and how GRFA's Louisiana A+ Schools program is supporting long-term education improvement through arts integration in the classroom.
"How a Blue Dog Is Transforming Schooling in Louisiana" presented by Jacques Rodrigue at NASAA Assembly 2014.
It was a pleasure to be a sponsor for NASAA's Assembly 2014 and meet so many inspiring individuals working to promote the arts across the country! To learn more about the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, visit http://www.nasaa-arts.org.
Carmel is a unique seaside community in California where cottages and galleries line the streets. It was here in 1991 that George Rodrigue decided to establish a gallery in addition to his Louisiana locations, and the Rodrigue Studio has had a home there ever since. (Read more about the history of the Carmel gallery here.) To honor George Rodrigue's connection to the Carmel community, the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts was recently in the area to provide arts education outreach and gallery field trips to local schools, as well as a family art making event for the public. As director of Turnaround Arts: Louisiana, an arts integration initiative of the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, GRFA had the opportunity to visit Mary Chapa Literacy and Technology Academy, a Turnaround Arts: California school in Greenfield, CA. Fifth grade students at Mary Chapa attended a special presentation by Jacques Rodrigue, George's son, about the landscape, Cajun, and Blue Dog paintings of his father's career. They were then invited to create their own Blue Dog paintings using their imagination and a guided drawing activity. We are so grateful to the educators and students of Mary Chapa for welcoming us to their school and sharing their creativity!
GRFA staff and Executive Director Jacques Rodrigue get creative with fifth grade students at Mary Chapa Literacy and Technology Academy in Greenfield, CA.
The following afternoon, GRFA hosted " Blue Dog" in the Park Family Day in the green space adjacent to the Rodrigue Studio. Families from near and far were invited to create their own Blue Dog masks or ornaments, have their faces painted with Halloween characters, and take a tour of the original George Rodrigue paintings in the gallery.
There were art activities for the whole family at "Blue Dog" in the Park Family Day.
On Monday, fifth grade students from Mary Chapa Academy and fourth grade students from Carmel River School visited Rodrigue Studio for a special tour led by Jacques Rodrigue and participated in art making activities that explored chemistry, color theory, and nature. Students sculpted the life cycle of a butterfly and made their own "gak" material.
Students from Mary Chapa Academy and Carmel River School visit Rodrigue Studio and use the arts to learn about nature and science.
Advocating for youth development through the arts is at the heart of all we do, and we had a wonderful time in Carmel engaging students and the community through art! Thank you to everyone in Carmel who helped make our visit a memorable one and our events a success.
On Monday morning, the dance team and marching band lined the walkway outside of St. Helena Arts and Technology Academy in Greensburg, LA, to welcome a very special guest. Alfre Woodard, an actor and Turnaround Artist with the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities (PCAH), had arrived to serve as a creative mentor to the students and inspire them to pursue their goals and education through the arts. As part of the Turnaround Arts: Louisiana program, St. Helena was selected with two other schools to be transformed through arts integration.
GRFA Executive Director Jacques Rodrigue and Turnaround Artist Alfre Woodard visit with students at St. Helena Arts and Technology Academy in Greensburg, LA.
Students welcome Alfre Woodard as their Turnaround Artist.
After a special acting workshop with Alfre Woodard, students pose for a group photo with Jacques Rodrigue and Tunaround Arts Director Cathy Fletcher.
It was just this year that the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts was selected by the PCAH to implement the Turnaround Arts initiative at three schools in the state using the Louisiana A+ Schools method of arts integration. Already the teachers and students of our Turnaround A+ Schools are embracing the arts in curriculum -- creative projects line the halls, music can be heard in classrooms, and student engagement is reaching a new level.
A student at Homer A. Plessy Community School in New Orleans presents flowers to Alfre Woodard.
Turnaround Artist Trombone Shorty with student at Homer A. Plessy Community School.
As part of the national Turnaround Arts initiative, Turnaround Artists like Woodard adopt schools and work directly with students, teachers, and parents from the community to draw attention to the impact of the arts on a school's transformation. In addition to visiting the schools, the Turnaround Artists connect with students throughout the year via Skype. Alongside Woodard, Turnaround Artist Troy Andrews, better known as Trombone Shorty, visited Homer A. Plessy Community School in New Orleans on Tuesday to see the arts in action in the classrooms and communicate how arts in education can impact their academic and creative potential.
Students do a musical performance for special guests Alfre Woodard and Trombone Shorty.
Woodard reads to students at Homer A. Plessy Community School.
We are so excited to have these exceptional artists as part of Turnaround Arts: Louisiana and look forward to a successful, creative school year for our Turnaround A+ Schools.
The George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts will be heading to Carmel, California, this October to provide exciting arts education opportunities for local students and community members. Since 1991, the Rodrigue Studio has been part of the Carmel-by-the-Sea arts scene, introducing the West Coast to the artistic legacy of George Rodrigue. (Visit Musings of an Artist’s Wife to read about the history of the Rodrigue Studio in Carmel.)
Rodrigue Studio in Carmel, CA
While in Carmel in late October, GRFA will be visiting Mary Chapa Literacy and Technology Academy for a morning of creativity. Located in Greenfield, CA, Mary Chapa is part of the Turnaround Arts network of schools. This program, which GRFA administers in Louisiana, is an initiative of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. We are delighted to visit Mary Chapa to bring art into fifth grade classrooms and introduce students to the work of George Rodrigue.
Introducing students to the arts is a fundamental part of our mission. With this in mind, we will be providing buses to students from Mary Chapa Literacy and Technology Academy and Carmel River School to visit the Rodrigue Studio for special tours the George Rodrigue Memorial Retrospective Exhibition. Students will have the opportunity to explore examples from the entirety of George’s career, from oak trees and Cajuns to the Blue Dog. Additionally, both Mary Chapa and Carmel River School will be receiving art supply kits from George’s Art Closet.
On October 25, 2014, we invite you to join us for “Blue Dog” in the Park!
(See flyer above). From 1:00
– 3:00 PM, we will be in Piccadilly Courtyard next to Rodrigue Studio for a
community art-making event. This free, public event is full of
activities for the whole family including face painting and hands-on projects
that explore nature, science, and the creative process. Enjoy
light refreshments and visit the Rodrigue Studio to view the memorial
retrospective exhibition before it closes in January 2015.
We look forward
to welcoming you to “Blue Dog” in the Park on Saturday, October 25th,
and advocating for arts in education in the Carmel community!
Students and teachers at our nine Louisiana A+ Schools (LAA+) are well into the new academic year, creating dynamic classrooms where the arts enhance all subjects. George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts' Executive Director Jacques Rodrigue and LAA+ Director Bethany France traveled to northern Louisiana last week to visit three of our schools to talk with students and witness how the arts are transforming the way they learn.
South Highlands Elementary Magnet in Shreveport, LA
Rodrigue and France visited South Highlands Elementary Magnet in Shreveport, Grace Episcopal School in Monroe, and Homer Elementary School in Homer. At each school, they were greeted by enthusiastic educators and students - all eager to describe how their classrooms use dance, painting, theatre, and other art forms to teach all subjects. While in Shreveport, Rodrigue was a guest on Talk of the Town with Tom Pace to discuss arts integration and the impact of the LAA+ program across the state. Click here to listen to the interview.
Homer Elementary School in Homer, LA
Grace Episcopal School in Monroe, LA
"What a great experience to see arts integration in action at these schools and how engaged the students are. From the classrooms to the hallways, these schools are bursting with creative energy," says Jacques Rodrigue. He continues, "Having visited some of the best A+ schools in the country, I am so pleased with how our schools are meeting the challenges of whole-school transformation. It's inspiring to talk with the students and hear how excited they are to learn and come to class."
The nine schools in the Louisiana A+ Schools program are in various locations across the state. Learn more about them by clicking the map below.
We are happy to announce our Call for Entries to our 2015 Art Contest in partnership with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation! Please encourage any Louisiana high school junior or senior that you know to submit an entry!
$45,000 in Scholarship Awards
Theme: Louisiana's Music
in partnership with:
Louisiana has generated multiple seminal musical styles and contributed the development of many others, influencing popular music beyond its borders. New Orleans' unique blend of cultures provided fertile ground for the creation of Jazz. The southwestern part of the state is home to Cajun music and Zydeco while northern Louisiana has played an important role in the histories of country music, rockabilly, and the blues.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation celebrates and preserves this rich musical legacy. In addition to Jazz Fest presented by Shell, the Foundation produces free festivals throughout the year reflecting different strands of our inter-twined culture.
We invite this year's applicants to explore Louisiana's rich musical heritage. The artistic approach can be historical, contemporary, or imaginary in its conception, with interpretations ranging from a traditional portrait of an important Louisiana musician to an abstract exploration of sounds.
Eligibility
All juniors and seniors in Louisiana are eligible for entry in the GRFA Art Contest. No test score, grade point average or college major requirement is necessary for enter. The contest is open to all juniors and seniors attending public and private schools, home schooled students, and GED students.
Deadline
Online application and photo of art submissions must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2015. Visit our website to learn more about the Terms and Conditions.
Poster Artist
The winning artist will have the opportunity to collaborate with the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts team to design a special poster to be sold at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation's free festivals including the Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival, the Louisiana Cajun Zydeco Festival, Congo Square Rhythms Festival, and Fiesta Latina.
Sales from these posters will benefit the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation.
Selecting Finalists
A blind, two-part judging process focuses on three categories: interpretation of theme, creativity and design. GRFA requires that submissions be between 11 x 14 and 18 x 24 inches. Winners will be announced at the 6th Annual Art Contest Awards Luncheon presented by Cox on April 18, 2015, at the Sheraton Hotel in New Orleans.
Attention Art Teachers
The school that submits the most entries will recieve a year's worth of art suppies through our George's Art Closet program. Art supply kits are valued at $2,000 and they can give students the tools needed in order to have a first-class art education! Please encourage all of your students to enter.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Newly Released TEDx Talk by Jacques Rodrigue
Recorded in 2013 in Shreveport, LA, this newly released TEDx Red River talk features a presentation by GRFA's Executive Director Jacques Rodrigue. In this talk, he explores the creative legacy of his father, George Rodrigue, the origin of the Blue Dog, and how the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts advocates for arts in education through its Louisiana A+ Schools program.
What is TEDx? The TEDx Program is designed to help communities, organizations, and individuals to spark conversation and connections through independently organized events with a combination of live presenters and TED Talk videos.
Jacques Rodrigue presents at TEDx Red River.
To provide a behind-the-scenes look, Jacques penned a guest blog post about the experience of preparing for his TEDx presentation on Musings of an Artist's Wife by Wendy Rodrigue. He explains, "To have the chance to be able to share our story and our vision for the potential for arts in Louisiana schools was exciting!" Click here to read the complete post. You can also watch Jacques' first TEDx presentation for TEDxLSU here. LELA Holiday Art Contest
Louisiana Education Loan Authority (LELA), a partner organization of the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts, has announced their 2014 Holiday Art Contest. The theme this year is "The Holidays - Louisiana Style!" with winners awarded up to $6,000 in scholarships. If you are a high school senior, we encourage you to learn more about this exciting opportunity! The deadline to enter is November 1st, so be sure to click the image below for more information.
As you walk through the front doors of Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Houston, a larger-than-life painting of a Blue Dog - complete with red cowboy boots and a black Stetson - greets all visitors. Here on September 10th, the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts welcomed over 100 guests to a Launch Party to raise funds for arts education outreach in the Houston community during Rodrigue: Houston, a retrospective exhibition of 100 original works by George Rodrigue opening Spring 2015.
Co-hosts Don Sanders and Susan Krohn join Mallory Page Rodrigue and Jacques Rodrigue at the Launch Party for Rodrigue: Houston.
Guests enjoyed live music and delicious food provided by Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.
Proceeds from ticket sales and auction items brought in over $75,000 for arts outreach in the Houston area! With these funds, GRFA will provide free field trips to students, art supply kits to local schools, and community art making events.
A live and silent auction featured one-of-a-kind works and sold out silkscreen prints by the late George Rodrigue.
Jacques Rodrigue, Executive Director of GRFA, welcomes attendees to the Launch Party.
Thank you to all of the friends and supporters who attended this event and made the night a smashing success! We also extend our gratitude to our co-hosts, Don Sanders and Susan Krohn, as well as to the amazing staff at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse for helping us create a memorable evening to advocate for arts in education.
Click the image below to learn more and see a photo gallery from the event!
The event was generously underwritten by Deborah Dunlevy Todd and featured a performance on the Rodrigue Steinway Piano by Harold Mims, a student in the LSU School of Music.
Todd Queen, Dean of the LSU College of Music & Dramatic Arts, joins Jacques Rodrigue, Executive Director of GRFA, at the unveiling of "Take Five."
Harold Mims, a student in the LSU School of Music, performs on the Rodrigue Steinway Piano.
The Blue Dog print, which the Estate of George Rodrigue issued in an edition of 950, is available at the price of $500 and all proceeds will be split between GRFA and LSU School of Music. With this edition selling quickly, both organizations dedicated to arts education are benefitting greatly. Thank you to everyone who has already purchased one of these silkscreen prints!
"Take Five" by George Rodrigue, silkscreen print, 26 x 31 inches
Purchase your print today!
Visit www.georgerodrigue.com to buy online, or visit a Rodrigue Studio location in New Orleans, Lafayette, or Carmel, CA.
About Rodrigue Estate Editions
The Estate of George Rodrigue created a proprietary ink stamp on editions released by the Estate. The one-of-a-kind formula includes several security measures that guarantee the authenticity of Rodrigue Estate editions. The stamp measure approximately 1.5 x 3 inches and is screened directly onto prints issued by the Rodrigue Estate. This signature reacts uniquely to differing wavelengths of light.
On Thursday, September 4th, the Estate of George Rodrigue will unveil a new posthumous print, Take Five, at a private reception at the Cook Hotel in Baton Rouge. The silkscreen was designed by George Rodrigue before his passing on December 14, 2013, and has been printed posthumously in a limited numbered edition of 950.
Starting today, the print will be available for purchase at www.GeorgeRodrigue.com and in Rodrigue Studio locations in New Orleans, Lafayette, and Carmel, California. The print is offered at a price of $500 with all proceeds supporting the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts (GRFA) and the LSU School of Music.
"Take Five" by George Rodrigue, silkscreen print, 26 x 31 inches
“We are so excited to unveil this print that Dad designed,” says Jacques Rodrigue, Executive Director of the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts. “Dad was a huge supporter of the arts and education, and we are so proud to partner with the LSU School of Music to continue his legacy.”
The reception will bring together fans of George Rodrigue’s art and supporters of the LSU School of Music for a first look at the exclusive print, Take Five. Guests will enjoy music by LSU School of Music PhD student Harold Mims who will perform on the Rodrigue Steinway piano.
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