Press release
The North Central Louisiana Arts Council (NCLAC) has created an outdoor exhibition called “The Outside Show” to celebrate the unique public spaces around Ruston, Louisiana.
“The Outside Show,” which will be on display thorough May 31, is said to have been created to encourage creativity, enhance accessibility to the arts, and activate unused spaces in the urban environment. Creators of all kinds were invited to propose an idea for one of the outdoor sites that enhances our city’s attachment to where we live.
Locations around downtown Ruston and beyond have been activated by artwork on banner signs, window displays, pop up gardens, fence posts, planter boxes, trees, building awnings, mural walls, and more.
The Outside Show artists exhibiting for the month of May are: Mariah Smith, Rae Tedeton, Dorene Kordal, Ruston Community Men’s Shed, The Art House, Fringe: an art experience, Cedar Creek Art, Liz Zanca, Ashley Greer, Khalilah Al-Amin, Camellia Jiles, Boys and Girls Club, Ruston High School Talented Arts Juniors & Seniors, Chlese Jiles, Skatepark of Ruston, LA Tech School of Design, Mark Holstrom, Peter Jones, Luba Zygarewicz.
The piece “Alveare Luminoso (Glowing Hive)” is on display outside near the student center on Louisiana Tech University’s campus through the month of June. Zygarewicz, a New Orleans-based artist created the piece as a symbol of community. The Super-hive like structure is made out of reflective plexiglass layers that are reminiscent of the COVID-19 plastic barriers that have separated us for over a year. The piece activates its surroundings through light and movement — encouraging viewers to slow down and notice the campus in a novel way.
NCLAC says public art has many benefits to a community. The Americans for the Arts Public Art Network Council has written a green paper outlining how, “Public art activates the imagination and encourages people to pay attention and perceive more deeply the environment they occupy.”
NCLAC worked with several community partners to make this opportunity a reality. NCLAC is most grateful for Century Next Bank’s financial sponsorship to assist artists with their creations. Jessica Slaughter, Employee and Community Engagement Coordinator, says, “Century Next Bank is pleased to partner with NCLAC as the sponsor of ‘The Outdoor Show.’ We think ‘The Outdoor Show’ offers a unique opportunity for artists to bring their art into the public sphere, and for the community to see common spaces transformed into something new through art. We hope many people take advantage of the opportunity to submit proposals, and we look forward to seeing the finished products all around our beautiful downtown.”
Visit nclacgallery.org to see more information on exhibiting artists and the locations of each artwork.
