Aioli Dinner Photo Album

Aioli Dinner Photo Album

A new photo album is up on our website from our first Aioli Dinner Supper Club event in New Iberia! Click here to view images of this unique culinary tradition made famous by George Rodrigue's Aioli Dinner painting.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: The next Aioli Dinner Supper Club event will be May 14, 2015, in Monroe, LA. More details to come soon at www.aiolidinner.com.

Scholarship Awards Luncheon

Last week, we announced the finalists for our 2015 High School Art Contest. On April 18th, we will be hosting a special awards luncheon in New Orleans for our 15 finalists, who will share $45,000 in college scholarships!

If you would like to join us for this special luncheon celebrating the artistic talent of Louisiana's youth, you can purchase your tickets here.

2015 Art Contest Finalists Announced

Thank you to all of the students who entered the Scholarship Art Contest this year! We received over 600 entries from across the state on the theme of Louisiana's Music.

Fifteen (15) finalists have been selected by our first round of judges. These high school juniors and seniors will share $45,000 in college scholarships, and one will be featured as a poster to be sold by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation's free festivals including the Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival, the Louisiana Cajun Zydeco Festival, the Congo Square Rhythms Festival, and Fiesta Latina.

Scholarships will be given out at our awards luncheon on Saturday, April 18, 2015, at the Sheraton Hotel New Orleans. Tickets to the event are now available to the public. Purchase yours today!

Click Here to View Finalists

Aioli Dinner Supper Club Raises $25,000 for Arts Education

This past Saturday, the Aioli Dinner Supper Club celebrated the first in a series of special dinners re-creating George Rodrigue's iconic Aioli Dinner painting. Over 80 guests joined the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts on the beautiful grounds of Shadows on the Teche, an historic New Iberia home on the banks of Bayou Teche. We are thrilled to share that this event raised over $25,000 for our Louisiana A+ Schools program, which transforms schools from failing to thriving through arts-integrated curriculum.

(Left and bottom) Guests dine at one long table, much like the Creole Gourmet Societies did at the turn of the century. (Top right) Each guest was gifted a unique Blue Dog sculpture created by students at Epiphany Day School in New Iberia. Epiphany Day School is one of 9 schools that currently make up our LAA+ network. (Photographs by Max Cusimano)

Chef Greg Doucet and his team at Jolie's Louisiana Bistro provided a delicious four-course meal inspired by the early 20th-century rustic cuisine enjoyed by the people depicted in Rodrigue's Aioli Dinner.

Jolie's Louisiana Bistro provided a unqiue, four-course menu. (Photos by Max Cusimano)

To commemorate the evening, guests posed for photographs re-creating Rodrigue's Aioli Dinner painting. We were fortunate to have several guests in attendance who are descendants of the people depicted in the original work of art.

Thank you to everyone who attended the first event for the Aioli Dinner Supper Club and helped us raise $25,000 for Louisiana A+ Schools!

Be sure to visit www.aiolidinner.com to learn about this and future events for the Aioli Dinner Supper Club.

Feature Article on Cover of City Social Magazine

We are excited to share with you that the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts is the featured cover story for the March/April 2015 issue of Baton Rouge's City Social Magazine. The article offers a comprehensive look at our arts in education programs, as well as the creation of the foundation by artist George Rodrigue. We invite you to click the link below and enjoy the article "The George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts: Committed to Arts Education" on pages 12-14.

http://citysocial.epubxp.com/i/474712

Arts Education Outreach Coming to Houston!

The George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts will be heading to Houston in approximately April - July 2015 to coincide with Rodrigue: Houston, a new exhibition featuring the Blue Dogs, Louisiana landscapes, and Cajun paintings of George Rodrigue. We are excited to bring a selection of our arts in education programs to Houston to engage the community with creative activities and share the artistic legacy of George Rodrigue.

Opening George's Art Closet to Houston Schools
George's Art Closest was created to address the needs of teachers who face inadequate funding for visual art supplies in the classroom. Houston educators can submit an application for a custom art supply kit worth $1,000 and are awarded kits based on need and the content of their application. During Rodrigue: Houston, GRFA will provide approximately twenty-five $1,000 kits to Houston elementary, middle, and high schools. Houston teachers, the deadline to apply is April 1, 2015!

Click here to apply.

Field Trips
What better way is there to get students excited about visual art than with a field trip to a gallery? GRFA will be sponsoring at least 20 bus trips for local schools to visit Rodrigue: Houston, so that students can see firsthand original works of art spanning George Rodrigue's 40 year career. At the exhibition, students will receive an educational tour tailored to their grade level, as well as in-gallery activities that encourage observation skills, storytelling, and the principles of visual art. To book a free field trip for your students, contact Victoria at victoria@georgerodrigue.com or (973) 668-3670.

Community Art Days
During the exhibition Rodrigue: Houston, GRFA will host Community Art Days where families can tour the gallery and participate in creative projects including mask making, sculpture, and face painting. Community Art Day is a unique way for family groups to explore art history, create works of art, and most importantly, have fun together! GRFA anticipates hosting at least 4 Community Art Days.

More information coming soon about Rodrigue: Houston and our upcoming Community Art Days!

Now on CharityBuzz: Blue Dog Print Signed by George Rodrigue and Randy Newman

We are pleased to announce that a special Blue Dog silkscreen print is now available on CharityBuzz! Signed by artist George Rodrigue and musician Randy Newman, "You Can't Drown the Blues" is a one-of-a-kind piece that features a hand-painted frame by Louisiana artist Christy Works-Boutee.

Charitybuzz is an online auction site that provides extraordinary experiences and items that benefit charities making an impact. The winning bid for "You Can't Drown the Blues" will go directly to our programs that promote the development of youth through arts in education.

You can place a bid on this remarkable work of art until March 10, 2015. Please know that your bid helps us provide programs that are directly impacting Louisiana's youth through the arts!

We are so appreciative to Randy Newman for taking the time support arts in education by playing the Rodrigue Steinway and signing the print. Click here to see photos of Randy Newman playing the Rodrigue Steinway on January 17, 2015 in New Orleans.

George's Art Closet 2015

George's Art Closet 2015

Since 2009, George's Art Closet has been a program that addresses the needs of teachers facing inadequate funding for visual art supplies. Without a variety of supplies, it can be difficult for teachers to provide meaningful arts experiences for their students.

A sample custom art supply kit from George's Art Closet

George's Art Closet is now awarding two $1,000 custom art supply kits each month to select elementary, middle, and high schools across Louisiana. Want to learn how you can apply for a custom art supply kit for your school? Visit George's Art Closet on our website to learn more.

Menu Announced for 1st Aioli Dinner

Looking for a delicious and memorable way to support arts in education in Louisiana? Look no further than the Aioli Dinner Supper Club. Our first fundraising dinner will be March 14, 2015 on the grounds of Shadows on the Teche in New Iberia, LA. Chef Greg Doucet of Jolie's Louisiana Bistro will be preparing a special four-course dinner with wine pairings.

www.aiolidinner.com

Art Contest DEADLINE EXTENDED to February 16th!

Art Contest Deadline Extended

The deadline to enter our 2015 Art Contest for high school juniors and seniors has been EXTENDED to February 16th! Until 5:00 PM that day, we are accepting entries of original artwork related to the theme of "Louisiana's Music."

Finalists in this year's contest in partnership with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation will share $45,000 in scholarship awards! If you know a creative high school junior or senior in Louisiana, please let them know about this opportunity.

Click here for information about the guidelines for the 2015 Art Contest. Good luck to all of the students who have submitted their art!

The Aioli Dinner Supper Club: Recreating An Iconic Work of Art

(Top) Aioli Dinner, George Rodrigue's iconic painting from 1971, (Bottom right) An historic photograph that inspired Rodrigue's painting, (Bottom left) An Aioli Dinner recreated by friends and supporters in Carmel, California.

We invite you to join us March 14, 2015, for a unique dining experience honoring the art of George Rodrigue and his legacy through the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts. This event, hosted on the grounds of Shadows on the Teche in New Iberia, will be the first in a series for the Aioli Dinner Supper Club. All proceeds will benefit our Louisiana A+ Schools program!

After New Iberia, the Aioli Dinner Supper Club will be hosting events in cities across Louisiana! Learn more:

www.aiolidinner.com

Introducing the Aioli Dinner Supper Club

The Aioli Dinner Supper Club

We are pleased to announce that on March 14, 2015, the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts will be hosting the first in a series of historically-inspired dinners that will pay homage to George Rodrigue's iconic "Aioli Dinner" painting and raise funds for our Louisiana A+ Schools program.

The beautiful grounds of Shadows on the Teche will serve as the first location for the Aioli Dinner Supper Club. Located in New Iberia on the banks of the Bayou Teche, The Shadows is a registered home with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and was built in 1834.

Shadows on the Teche

George Rodrigue was born and raised in New Iberia and painted the folklore and traditions of his hometown, capturing the ancient Live Oaks and unique culture of Cajun country. We are excited to kick off the Supper Club in the landscape that inspired Rodrigue throughout his career.

After New Iberia, the dinners will occur across the state, with some hosted in private residences and others in restaurants and historic homes.

www.aiolidinner.com

A Message on the 2015 Art Contest by Executive Director Jacques Rodrigue

This concise PSA is brought to you by Cox Communications, a sponsor of this year's Art Contest. As part of our annual Art Contest, we will be awarding $45,000 in college scholarships to finalists.

If you know any creative high school juniors or seniors in Louisiana, encourage them to submit an original work of art on the theme "Louisiana's Music." The deadline to enter is February 12, 2015!

Special Thanks to LPFA!

We are so grateful to the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority for their continued support of our annual Art Contest program. Once again they have generously supported the Art Contest with a donation of $25,000, helping us provide college scholarships to creative high school students across Louisiana. We applaud their commitment to education and the many other initiatives they support that enhance communities.

Jim Parks, Tricia Dubroc, and Martin Walke of LPFA stopped by the GRFA office this week to bring a donation of $25,000 for the 2015 Art Contest program.

2015 Art Contest Deadline is February 12th!

Art Contest Deadline is February 12, 2015

The deadline to enter our 2015 Art Contest for high school juniors and seniors is fast approaching! Until February 12th, we are accepting entries of original artwork related to the theme of "Louisiana's Music."

Finalists in this year's contest in partnership with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation will share $45,000 in scholarship awards! If you know a creative high school junior or senior in Louisiana, please let them know about this opportunity.

Click here for information about the guidelines for the 2015 Art Contest. Good luck to all of the students who have submitted their art!

NEW VIDEO: Students Talk Arts Integration and Louisiana A+ Schools

Why do students love GRFA's Louisiana A+ Schools program? See for yourself how arts integration is transforming their academic experience.

Irvin Mayfield, a New Video, and a Cooking Demo!

Irvin Mayfield Inspires Homer Elementary School

Last week, the students of Homer Elementary School in Homer, LA, welcomed a very special guest to their classrooms. Irvin Mayfield, a Grammy and Billboard Award-winning jazz trumpeter, was there to see first-hand how arts integration is transforming this Turnaround Arts: Louisiana school.

As one of three Turnaround Arts schools in the state, Homer Elementary School has been adopted by Turnaround Artists like Mayfield, who seek to inspire students to pursue their academic goals through the arts, as well as draw attention to the impact the arts are having on their school's revitalization.

In 2014, the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts was selected by the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities 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 new heights.

New Video:  Louisiana A+ Schools Students Talk Arts Integration, Academic Success, and FUN

We are pleased to present a new video featuring the students of Louisiana A+ Schools! Hear their perspectives on how arts integration transforms their classrooms, improves their academic performance, and brings out the best in students.

Free Cooking Demo on Saturday

Join us Saturday at Williams-Sonoma in Lakeside Mall for a free cooking demonstration with Chef Jason Ameen of Palace Café! Chef Ameen will be preparing Blueberry Coffee BBQ Sauce, a unique recipe featured in The Pot & The Palette Cookbook.

 

2015 LAA+ Application Process NOW OPEN!

2015 LAA+ Application Process Now Open!

"We are thrilled to grow the A+ Network in Louisiana," says Jacques Rodrigue, Executive Director of GRFA. "We believe LAA+, the first whole-school, arts-integrated reform initiative of its kind for our state, has the potential to influence the way that all Louisiana students are taught."

How To Apply

If your school is interested in applying to be part of LAA+ Schools, the statewide application process first requires schools to submit a Letter of Interest to the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts. A link to this form, along with the 4 steps to the application process, can be found at www.aplusla.org.

Letters of interest are due January 23, 2015.

Please be aware that schools applying to LAA+ will be asked to provide a $75,000 payment that can be distributed over three years. Full and partial scholarships are available on a needs basis. Schools accepted into the LAA+ Schools make a commitment to a three-year implementation process. This includes customized professional development training for full faculty based on the school's needs, attendance at an annual LAA+ Summer Institute (including room and board), professional development for school leadership, and art supplies for the entire school. A sampling of schools may also be asked to participate in a 3-year quasi-experimental evaluation.

Click Here To Register

Deadline to Enter 2015 Art Contest is February 12!

George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts will award $45,000 in college scholarships to students whose artwork best represents Louisiana's Music! If you are a high school junior or senior in Louisiana, we invite you to submit an original work of art.

Thank you to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation for being our 2015 Art Contest partner!

A Look Back at 2014

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! 

Where Is She Now? Catching Up With the 2014 Art Contest Winner

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.

My original design "Piecing Together Louisiana" was created into a poster now sold at Audubon Nature Institute.

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!

A Message of Gratitude for Thanksgiving

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!

GRFA Welcomes National Assembly of State Arts Agencies

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.

GRFA Brings Arts Education to California

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.

Turnaround Artists Alfre Woodard and Trombone Shorty Inspire Students

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.