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Thursday, December 8, 2016

2016 was a Great Year for GRFA and Arts Education!




GRFA is pleased to celebrate a year of successful arts in education programs that have impacted thousands of students across Louisiana. In 2016, we continued the legacy of artist George Rodrigue as we:

  • Welcomed 2 new schools to our Louisiana A+ Schools program, an arts-integrated teacher training network.  LAA+ now impacts 10,000 students and 700 teachers each day. 
  • Donated $25,000 in art supply kits to Louisiana classrooms through the George's Art Closet program.
  • Helped 206 other non-profit organizations raise funds for their missions through GRFA's Print Donation Program.





As we look forward to 2017 and the expansion of our statewide programs, we need your support more than ever.

Help us continue the mission of youth development through the arts in education by donating to the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts. 

Thank you for your support!






Friday, December 2, 2016

Seven Weeks Left to Enter Scholarship Art Contest




Now is a great time for Louisiana high school juniors and seniors to work on their original submissions for the 2017 Scholarship Art Contest! With only seven weeks to go before the January 20th deadline, we encourage you to spread the word and let students know about this unique scholarship opportunity.

The theme of this year's contest is the "New Orleans Tricentennial" in partnership with the City of New Orleans. We invite submissions that explore the richness of New Orleans' 300-year history, as well as its future as an important American city.





Pictured, 2016 Grand Prize Winner Kourtney Aultman with Executive Director Jacques Rodrigue at the Scholarship Awards Ceremony



Thursday, November 17, 2016

Photos from St. Francisville Aioli Dinner





The Aioli Dinner Supper Club would like to thank our St. Francisville friends for making the November 15th Aioli Dinner such a memorable night supporting Bains Lower Elementary, one of our 18 Louisiana A+ Schools.



Click here to view a photo album from the event.




Aioli Dinner guests enjoyed a five-course, wine-paired menu by Heirloom Cuisine. The meals served at Aioli Dinner Supper Club events are inspired by the rustic cuisine of the historic Creole Gourmet Societies of Southern Louisiana.

Music for the evening was performed on the Rodrigue Steinway piano, a vibrant work of art created by George Rodrigue in 2012.



Pianist Michael McDowell plays the Rodrigue Steinway.



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 in St. Francisville who made this dinner a success!



 


Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Rodrigue Foundation Announces First "Lab School"


GRFA Announces "Lab School" in Shreveport


Last week in Shreveport, LA, the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts made a special announcement. South Highlands Elementary Magnet has been selected as the first "Lab School" in the Louisiana A+ Schools network!




Executive Director Jacques Rodrigue with students at South Highlands Elementary in Shreveport




"An LAA+ Lab School exemplifies everything that education should be," explains Kim Graham, Deputy Director of Louisiana A+ Schools. "It's an environment where every teacher embraces arts integration and uses the arts to transform lessons into meaningful learning experiences where students can make real world connections."

South Highlands Elementary Magnet has completed their 3-year pilot phase in the Louisiana A+ Schools program. Under the leadership of Principal Mary Harris, the school has shown a deep commitment to the A+ Essentials, arts integration, and maintaining the arts as their primary focus.



"I love having arts integration at my school! 

To me arts integration means adding any type 
of art into a subject to make it easier or 
more fun to understand."


- 1st grade student Grace, who prepared a special speech for the announcement in Shreveport



LAA+ Lab Schools like South Highlands Elementary Magnet exist in a continual state of refinement, and like artists are constantly questioning, growing, and bravely experimenting. Congratulations to our first LAA+ Lab School!




#GeauxVote: Election Day is Here!



Did you get your Blue Dog "I VOTED" sticker? Early voters took to social media to share theirs and encourage others to vote.




Thanks to a special partnership between Secretary of State Tom Schedler and the Rodrigue family, Louisiana voters can show off a special Blue Dog "I VOTED" sticker.


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





Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Latest Aioli Dinner Photos and Covington Art Market


Photos from Broussard Aioli Dinner




The Aioli Dinner Supper Club would like to thank our Broussard and Lafayette area friends for making the October 26th Aioli Dinner such a memorable night supporting Louisiana A+ Schools.


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




It was a beautiful night at the home of Dr. Bradley and Mary Chastant with special guest Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser.

Aioli Dinner guests enjoyed cuisine by Chef Ryan Trahan of Dark Roux 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.

Thank you to our friends and sponsors for supporting Louisiana A+ Schools and arts in education!



Upcoming Aioli Dinner

St. Francisville, LA
Benefiting Bains Lower Elementary
November 15, 2016
Hemingbough

Cuisine by Heirloom Cuisine.





Saturday: Family Fun at Covington Art Market


The George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts will be providing a FREE family art making activity at Satuday's Covington Art Market presented by the St. Tammany Art Association!

We will be sculpting the life cycle of the oak tree, which was a special symbol for Louisiana artist George Rodrigue. Throughout his extensive career, he featured them in his paintings and even chose the oak tree as the logo for GRFA.




Saturday, November 5, 2016
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Covington Trailhead
419 N. New Hampshire Street
Downtown Covington
FREE Admission!


Learn about the life cycle of the iconic oak tree by sculpting the stages with Crayola Model Magic.







Friday, October 21, 2016

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.





Wednesday, October 12, 2016

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.









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.






St. Francisville, LA
Benefitting Bains Lower Elementary
Hemingbough
November 15, 2016


Cuisine by Heirloom Cuisine










Wednesday, September 28, 2016

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!


 






Friday, September 23, 2016

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.




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.




Friday, September 9, 2016

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.



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. 



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.




Tuesday, August 23, 2016

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.






Friday, August 12, 2016

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





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. 










Tuesday, August 9, 2016

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.