by Ashton Thomas
A warm summer breeze and a beautiful sunset sky set a perfect scene for downtown Ruston’s quarterly Art Ramble.
On Thursday, August twentieth, members of the Ruston community came together to celebrate and support all the different art forms in our small town: from visual, to performing, to culinary arts, along with other expressions of creativity. The August heat did little to deter attendees as they made their way between shops and galleries throughout the downtown area.
In partnership with the Ruston Cultural District, the Gilbert Center, and the Creative Exchange, local artists and creatives from New Orleans, Dallas, and Little Rock had the opportunity to showcase their work. Attendees strolled down Alabama Avenue and North Trenton, stopping to look at art, listen to live music, chat with friends, shop, and enjoy refreshments.
At the Gilbert Center, nine artists from three states displayed their work in a space designed to bring people together through the arts. The center offered attendees a place to explore different forms of creativity while enjoying live music and refreshments. Just down the block, the Creative Exchange invited visitors to browse local artwork and supplies.
No. 9 Books and Records welcomed visitors with a paper craft activity nestled amidst their novels and vinyl collection, while Fine Line Supply Co. featured watercolor paintings of Lincoln Parish Park. Buie’s Photo Shoppe rounded out the stops along the route, giving visitors another opportunity to explore the creative local businesses that make up downtown Ruston.
For artist Logan Stevens, one of the best parts of the Ramble was seeing people experience art together.
“You have people from so many walks of life coming together and experiencing art and Ruston as a whole,” Stevens said. “Seeing a bookstore, vintage shops, experiencing art… together, in community.”
That sense of community extended beyond the galleries. Red Dog’s Weiner Wagon and hot dog stand provided attendees a place to grab a bite to eat before venturing into the Kit Gilbert Studio and the Vintage Hound, two additional Art Ramble participants and locally-owned locations.
As the sun began to set in a sky that looked as though it could belong in an art gallery itself, many made their way to the new Common Goods “After Hours” event, continuing the evening as the Art Ramble stretched across downtown.
For a town its size, Ruston has no shortage of makers, and Thursday’s Art Ramble gave the community a chance to see just how many different forms creativity can take.
The next quarterly Art Ramble will take place November nineteenth from 5:30 to 8 p.m..
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