Student Exhibition Opens in Lafayette, LA

"Louisiana Celebrates Carnival" Opens in Lafayette

Now through December 3, 2016, visit the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum in Lafayette, LA, to see the extraordinary original student art featured in "Louisiana Celebrates Carnival."

This special traveling exhibition shares the artwork of our 16 high school finalists from GRFA's 2016 Scholarship Art Contest in partnership with the Krewe of Orpheus. These talented students from across Louisiana shared $45,250 in college scholarships!

Executive Director Jacques Rodrigue and the sixteen student finalists at the Scholarship Awards Luncheon in New Orleans on April 16, 2016.

Join the Aioli Dinner Supper Club in Broussard, LA

On Wednesday evening, the Aioli Dinner Supper Club will dine at the beautiful home of Dr. Bradley and Mary Chastant in Broussard, LA. Tickets are still available but are going fast. Get your seat at the table and help keep the arts in Louisiana classrooms through Louisiana A+ Schools.

Broussard, LA

Hosted by Dr. Bradley and Mary Chastant

October 26, 2016

Special Guest:

The Honorable Billy Nungesser

Lt. Governor, State of Louisiana

 

Cuisine by Chef Ryan Trahan of Dark Roux.

Learn more and purchase tickets.

Rodrigue Family Unveils "I VOTED" Blue Dog Sticker

Rodrigue Family Unveils "I VOTED" Blue Dog Sticker

The Rodrigue family made a special announcement on Monday in partnership with Secretary of State Tom Schedler. George Rodrigue's iconic Blue Dog will be featured on special "I VOTED" stickers for the upcoming November 8th election.

The Secretary of State's Office has printed 4 million of the stickers to encourage voter participation in the Presidential Election. Stickers will be available at each polling location on Election Day and at every early voting site in Louisiana.

Executive Director Jacques Rodrigue, Wendy Rodrigue, and Secretary of State Tom Schedler unveil the Blue Dog sticker during a press conference at the New Orleans Museum of Art on Monday.

The Rodrigue family joined Secretary Schedler at special press conferences in Baton Rouge and New Orleans to unveil the design for the sticker, which features George Rodrigue's 2001 painting "Stand Up Straight and Tall."

At the unveiling Executive Director Jacques Rodrigue shared, "Participating in the election process and electing good government representation is one of our most important civic duties. Partnering with Secretary Schedler to inspire citizens to take part in this election cycle is something that spoke to me and that I think my dad would have loved."

To learn more about voting in Louisiana, visit www.geauxvote.com

Upcoming Aioli Dinners in Lake Charles, Broussard, and St. Francisville

Don't miss the chance to join us at one of our upcoming Aioli Dinner Supper Club events! Tickets are still available but are going fast. Get you seat at the table and help keep the arts in Louisiana classrooms through Louisiana A+ Schools.

Lake Charles, LA

Hosted by Dr. John and Shannon Condos

October 19, 2016

     

Cuisine by Chef Andrew Green of 

1910 Restaurant and Wine Bar.

Learn more and purchase tickets.

Broussard, LA

Hosted by Dr. Bradley and Mary Chastant

October 26, 2016

Special Guest:

The Honorable Billy Nungesser

Lt. Governor, State of Louisiana

     

Cuisine by Chef Ryan Trahan of Dark Roux.

Learn more and purchase tickets.

St. Francisville, LA

Benefitting Bains Lower Elementary

Hemingbough

November 15, 2016

Cuisine by Heirloom Cuisine

Learn more and purchase tickets.

Call for Entries - 2017 Scholarship Art Contest

We are happy to announce our Call for Entries to our 2017 Art Contest in partnership with City of New Orleans! Please encourage any Louisiana high school junior or senior that you know to submit an entry! $45,000 in Scholarship Awards

Theme: New Orleans Tricentennial

in partnership with:

The theme for the 2017 Art Contest, in partnership with the City of New Orleans, is "New Orleans Tricentennial." As we approach 2018, we honor New Orleans' history and place in the world while celebrating the on-going contributions made by generations of dedicated New Orleanians. This 300th anniversary not only marks New Orleans' historical journey, but also sets the course for its continued future as an important American city.

We invite all Louisiana high school juniors and seniors to explore the richness of New Orleans' 300-year history by submitting an original two-dimensional work of art.





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 to 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 Friday, January 20, 2017. Visit our website to learn more about the Terms and Conditions.


Grand Prize Winner

The Grand Prize Winner of the 2017 Art Contest will work with the Rodrigue Foundation and the City of New Orleans to transform their design into the official New Orleans Tricentennial Poster, to be sold at 300th Anniversary events across the city.


Selecting Finalists

A blind, two-part judging process focuses on three categories:

1. Concept/design
2. Technical skill
3. Creativity

GRFA requires that submissions be between 11 x 14 and 18 x 24 inches. Winners will be announced at the 8th Annual Art Contest Awards Luncheon presented by Cox on March 25, 2017, at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.


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 $1,000 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!

 

Photos from Sold Out Kenner Aioli Dinner

The Aioli Dinner Supper Club would like to thank our Jefferson Parish friends for making the September 21st Aioli Dinner such a memorable night supporting Louisiana A+ Schools.

Click here to view a photo album for the Kenner Aioli Dinner Supper Club event.

It was a beautiful night in Kenner at the home of Henry and Pat Shane with special guest Councilwoman Jennifer Van Vrancken.

Aioli Dinner guests enjoyed cuisine by Chef Andrea Apuzzo of Andrea's Restaurant. The multi-course meals served at Aioli Dinner Supper Club events are inspired by the rustic cuisine of the historic Creole Gourmet Societies of Southern Louisiana.

With the expansion of the Louisiana A+ Schools program to 18 schools, the Aioli Dinner Supper Club is playing a crucial role in the number of teachers and students impacted by arts integration in the classroom. Thank you to our friends and sponsors who made this dinner a success!

Upcoming Aioli Dinners

Lake Charles, LA

Hosted by Dr. John and Shannon Condos

October 19, 2016

Cuisine by Chef Andrew Green of 

1910 Restaurant and Wine Bar.

Learn more and purchase tickets.

Broussard, LA

Hosted by Dr. Bradley and Mary Chastant

October 26, 2016

                                                                     

                                                                      Special Guest:

The Honorable Billy Nungesser

Lt. Governor, State of Louisiana

Cuisine by Chef Ryan Trahan of Dark Roux.

Learn more and purchase tickets.

Raise funds for your charity with a George Rodrigue silkscreen print!

Raise funds for your charity with a George Rodrigue silkscreen print!


The George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts (GRFA) advocates for youth development through the arts, encourages the use of art within all curriculums, and supports a variety of art educational programs.

Our Print Donation Program is designed specifically to help other non-profits raise funds at their events through the use of George Rodrigue Estate Stamped silkscreen prints.

GRFA allows the purchase of a George Rodrigue silkscreen print of your choice from the Rodrigue Estate for $500. As part of this unique program, if the print does not provide the organization with funds exceeding the original $500 investment, then GRFA will accept the print's return and refund the $500. These prints have raised thousands of dollars at fundraising events.

Pictured above is We Will Rise Again, a print created after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, which raised funds to support relief efforts. This print now has a renewed meaning and significance following the historic flooding that devastated southern Louisiana.

Click HERE to learn more about the GRFA Print Donation Program and view available prints.

Kenner Aioli Dinner Almost Sold Out

Tickets are going fast for the Aioli Dinner Supper Club's Kenner event! Purchase yours now and don't miss out on this delicious culinary experience to support arts in education across Louisiana.

Kenner, LA

Hosted by Henry & Pat Shane

September 21, 2016

Special Guest:

The Honorable Jennifer Van Vrancken 

Jefferson Parish Councilwoman, District 5

Cuisine by Chef Andrea Apuzzo of Andrea's Restaurant.

Learn more and purchase tickets.

Other Upcoming Aioli Dinners:

Lake Charles, LA

Hosted by Dr. John & Shannon Condos

October 19, 2016

Cuisine by Chef Andrew Green of 1910 Restaurant and Wine Bar. 

Learn more and purchase tickets.

Broussard, LA

Hosted by Dr. Bradley & Mary Chastant

October 26, 2016

Special Guest:

The Honorable Billy Nungesser, 

Lt. Governor, State of Louisiana

Cuisine by Chef Ryan Trahan of Dark Roux.

Learn more and purchase tickets.

Fall Aioli Dinners in Lake Charles, Broussard, and Kenner

Mark your calendars! The Aioli Dinner Supper Club has delicious plans for the fall. Join us at one of our upcoming dining experience in Lake Charles, Broussard, or Kenner, Louisiana, and support the arts in education programs of the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts.

At each four-course, wine-paired dinner we recreate George Rodrigue's iconic "Aioli Dinner" painting and honor the culinary legacy of the Creole Gourmet Societies from a century ago.

Kenner, LA
Hosted by Henry & Pat Shane
September 21, 2016

Special Guest:
The Honorable Jennifer Van Vrancken
Jefferson Parish Councilwoman, District 5

    

Cuisine by Chef Andrea Apuzzo of Andrea's Restaurant.
Learn more and purchase tickets.

Lake Charles, LA
Hosted by Dr. John & Shannon Condos
October 19, 2016

      

Cuisine by Chef Andrew Green of 1910 Restaurant and Wine Bar.
Learn more and purchase tickets.

Broussard, LA
Hosted by Dr. Bradley & Mary Chastant
October 26, 2016

Special Guest:
The Honorable Billy Nungesser,
Lt. Governor, State of Louisiana

      

Cuisine by Chef Ryan Trahan of Dark Roux.
Learn more and purchase tickets.

Purchase Tickets

New Aioli Dinner Announced

In addition to the upcoming Kenner event, the Aioli Dinner Supper Club is pleased to announce another dining experience this Fall in Broussard, LA!

Join us at the beautiful home of Dr. Bradley and Mary Chastant for a wine-paired, four-course meal inspired by George Rodrigue's iconic "Aioli Dinner" painting. This unique culinary experience supports the arts in education initiatives of the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts.

October 26, 2016

Broussard, LA

Hosted by Dr. Bradley & Mary Chastant

Special Guest:

The Honorable Billy Nungesser, 

Lt. Governor, State of Louisiana

Cuisine by Chef Ryan Trahan of Dark Roux

Learn more.

September 21, 2016

Kenner, LA

Hosted by Henry & Pat Shane

Special Guest:

Jennifer Van Vranken 

Jefferson Parish Councilwoman, District 5

Cuisine by Chef Andrea Apuzzo of Andrea's Restaurant. 

Learn more.

Purchase Tickets

What a Night! Photos from White Linen "Bayou" Opening

Guests mingle and admire The Bayou Collection during 

Whitney White Linen Night

Thank you to everyone who made our Whitney White Linen Night event such a memorable evening! Hundreds of visitors in white linen clothing made their way to the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts to see The Bayou Collection and celebrate the 40 paintings by George Rodrigue that will remain on view through the end of the year.

Author Chris Segura (left) and Executive Director Jacques Rodrigue (right) with Bayou

The 40 Rodrigue paintings are based on Cajun ghost stories authored by Chris Segura in the 1984 publication Bayou (Inkwell Press). Segura joined the festivities and signed copies of the book throughout the night.

White Linen visitors of all ages got creative at an activity station, where they explored complementary colors and made their own Rodrigue fans to beat the summer heat.

Click here to learn more about 

The Bayou Collection.

Come See BAYOU: Nola.com's #1 Show Not to Miss for White Linen Night

This never before seen collection of 40 surreal paintings by George Rodrigue has been held in a private collection for over 30 years. Don't miss the chance to see this unique collection as it goes on view for the first time!

"George Rodrigue's Cajun Ghost Story Paintings: The #1 Show Not to Miss at Whitney White Linen Night"

- The Times-Picayune

White Linen Night Rodrigue Exhibit

- WWLTV

Lafayette and Lake Charles Teachers Train in Arts Integration

Teachers at Lake Charles Charter Academy participated in dancing, drawing, theater, and printmaking workshops to learn how to infuse the arts into all subjects.

Louisiana A+ Schools (LAA+) held two concurrent Summer Institutes last week in Lafayette and Lake Charles, providing professional development in arts integration to over 170 teachers.

For Lake Charles Charter Academy's faculty, this was their first LAA+ Summer Institute. During a full week of professional development, they were introduced to the A+ Essentials and attended sessions that gave them the skills and resources to use the arts in the classroom.

See KPLCTV's coverage of the 2016 Lake Charles Summer Institute.

Teachers from J. Wallace James Elementary and Ridge Elementary increase their knowledge of arts integration methods at the Lafayette LAA+ Summer Institute.

Over 100 teachers from J. Wallace James Elementary and Ridge Elementary participated in a three-day Summer Institute in Lafayette. Both schools joined the LAA+ network in 2015 and are successfully using the arts in every subject in every classroom.

LAA+ Director Bethany France notes, "These schools have demonstrated their commitment to innovative learning and the importance of implementing the arts into every aspect of the classroom." She continues, "We've studied the benefits, and we're excited to finally see them come to life through these schools."

Read The Daily Advertiser's article and watch KATC's coverage of the Lafayette Summer Institute.

The Bayou Collection: Opens White Linen Night

Featuring Never Seen Collection of 40 Rodrigue Paintings

Opening Whitney White Linen Night in New Orleans, the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts presents The Bayou Collection by George Rodrigue. Based on Rodrigue's research of regional myths and legends, these 40 canvases, painted between 1981 and 1984, represent Cajun ghost stories.

The paintings complement a text by author Chris Segura for the book Bayou (Inkwell Press), compiled for the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans. Although rooted in his Cajun style, this important collection includes Watch Dog, Rodrigue's interpretation of the loup-garou, a French-Cajun werewolf or ghost dog, which seeded his most famous body of work, The Blue Dog Series.

Held within a private collection since 1984, The Bayou Collection premieres for the first time publicly on Whitney White Linen Night!

Aioli Dinners Return on September 21

The Aioli Dinner Supper Club is kicking off our Fall dinner series at the home of Henry and Pat Shane on Wednesday, September 21.

Join us for a wine-paired, four-course meal inspired by George Rodrigue's iconic "Aioli Dinner" painting. This unique culinary experience supports the arts in education initiatives of the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts. Additional Fall Aioli Dinners will be announced soon!

September 21, 2016

Kenner, LA

Hosted by Henry & Pat Shane

Special Guest:

Jennifer Van Vranken 

Jefferson Parish Councilwoman, District 5

Cuisine by Chef Andrea Apuzzo of Andrea's Restaurant. 

Learn more.

Purchase Tickets

LAA+ Welcomes New Professional Development Coordinator

Professional Development Coordinator Joins LAA+ Team

George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts is pleased to announce that Rachel Lock is our new Professional Development Coordinator for Louisiana A+ Schools! In this role, she will ensure consistency of all professional development functions involving LAA+ teachers, administrators, Fellows, and teaching artists.

LAA+ Welcomes Rachel Lock

Lock has a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She began her teaching career in 2008, where she developed an interest in using visual arts as a teaching strategy in her classroom. From there, she continued to expand her knowledge of arts integration in 2009 through the ICI Initiative, a program dedicated to promoting and modeling arts-integrated teaching strategies and ideas.

She has served on multiple arts integration committees, as well as most recently maintaining the role of Arts Liaison at her school. After witnessing first hand how the arts impacted her classroom, she decided to become a Louisiana A+ Schools Fellow in 2013. Since then, she has led multiple teams of Fellows during LAA+ Summer Institutes.

Print Donation Program

Does your charity or non-profit need a unique fundraising tool? GRFA's Print Donation Program is a wonderful and cost effective way to raise funds for your organization!

For a $500 donation to GRFA, you can choose from seven vibrant Rodrigue Estate Stamped silkscreen prints to use in an auction or raffle. If the print purchased does not provide the organization funds exceeding the original investment, it can be returned and GRFA will refund the $500. Since 2009, the Print Donation Program has helped over 1,000 charities raise over $3 million at their fundraising events.

These prints are not for sale through the Rodrigue Studio and are only accessible to the general public through this exclusive opportunity for non-profit and charity organizations. 

150 Teachers Train in Arts Integration

The key to the success of our Louisiana A+ Schools (LAA+) program is the intensive, high-quality professional development that we provide to every educator in our statewide network of 18 schools.

This week at our Baton Rouge LAA+ Summer Institute, over 150 teachers from five schools joined our team for three full days of educational sessions, workshops, and special presentations where they developed the skills necessary to integrate the arts into all parts of the curriculum.

Teachers attended sessions on a variety of topics including strategic planning, the A+ Essentials, and more.

'

Professional development sessions were led by our Louisiana A+ Schools Fellows, who are experts in arts integration. These individuals bring a variety of talents and experiences to the Summer Institute, and their leadership makes the LAA+ program so successful.

Our amazing LAA+ Fellows

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Schools that participated in this week's Summer Institute include:

St. Helena Arts & Technology Academy (Greensburg, LA)

Howell Park Elementary School (Baton Rouge, LA)

Park Elementary School (Baton Rouge, LA)

Rollins Place Elementary School (Zachary, LA)

Messiah Montessori School (Houma, LA)

See a map of all 18 Member Schools.

We would like to give a big thank you to the Pennington Foundation for allowing us to host the Summer Institute on the beautiful campus of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge.

Attended an Aioli Dinner? Quick Survey!

As we plan for our Fall 2016 Aioli Dinner Supper Club events, we invite anyone who has attended an Aioli Dinner to complete a short online survey. Your feedback will help us create richer guest experiences as we celebrate the legacy of George Rodrigue and raise funds for Louisiana A+ Schools.

Thank you for your feedback and for supporting GRFA through the Aioli Dinner Supper Club! Please note, all survey responses will be anonymous.

Aioli Dinner Survey

Click here to learn about the history of the "Aioli Dinner."