DeRidder artists to show work at Gallery One Ellleven

By Emily Burleigh

From March 28 until April 27, the art of select artists from RealARt DeRidder will be exhibited in Gallery One Ellleven, 111 S. 3rd St. in Leesville.

The arts community in West Central Louisiana is vast, including “community orchestras, jazz ensembles, visual artist studios, school theater productions, bluegrass bands, singer/songwriters, quilters and fiber artists,” Tony McDonald, gallery coordinator, Gallery One Ellleven, said. For almost 20 years, Gallery One Ellleven in Leesville and RealArt DeRidder have been at the forefront of this art movement in West Central Louisiana.

They are both volunteer-based organizations that strive to support the arts in their parishes. The galleries bolster this mission through collaborations with each other. He said that the practice of sharing events, promotions and resources is vital for sustaining an art scene in rural areas.

“Gallery One Ellleven and RealArt DeRidder work together whenever possible to promote the arts and artists from their respective areas, and this exhibit is just one example of that partnership.”

The exhibition will highlight paintings, drawings, ceramics and sculpture from nearly a dozen artists from Beauregard Parish.

There will be an opening reception for the exhibit at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 23.

Both the exhibit and the reception have been sponsored by State. Rep. Charles “Chuck” Owen. He said that Vernon and Beauregard parishes are “so fortunate” to have both of the galleries active in the community.

“These organizations provide anchors for the arts in our area and they provide a great service. They both do a wonderful job promoting the arts and artists who help make our culture so unique. My wife, Carolyn, and I are honored to be involved and look forward to seeing our neighbors at the events.”

“Representative Charles Own has long been a supporter of the Leesville Art Park and Gallery One Ellleven in Leesville, and he jumped at the chance to sponsor and expose artists from the southern part of his district to the Leesville community,” Mcdonald said.