Artists with the Hammond Art Guild have a chance to showcase their artwork in HAG’s annual spring show at the Hammond Regional Arts Center, such as the 55th annual Spring Open Exhibit above. File Photo/The Lion’s Roar
Students, alumni and professors in the art field have become a part of the local art scene in Hammond by becoming members of the Hammond Art Guild.
The Hammond Art Guild promotes the work of their patrons by displaying their artwork at the Hammond Regional Arts Center where it can be seen by the community.
Junior art major Elisa Gauthreaux explained how she became a member of the guild.
“I heard about the guild through a student that was in one of my courses who was a member already, and she was attending one of my classes,” said Gauthreaux. “She was talking to me about all the opportunities for artists and work that you can show in the Hammond area.”
Hammond Art Guild President Nancy Lowentritt discussed why she thinks students were open to joining the Hammond Art Guild.
“What I can tell from the students that I met is that there are quite a number of them who are interested in pursuing art after they graduate,” said Lowentritt. “As they go through the four years of college and they start specializing in particular mediums of art, they seem interested in getting their art out there to be seen by the general public.”
Assistant Professor of Sociology Marc Settembrino also shared his experience on how he joined the Hammond Art Guild.
“I became a member of the Hammond Art Guild for the 2016 HAG Spring Show at the Hammond Regional Arts Center,” said Settembrino. “I only started painting in 2015, and Eric Johnson, director of Sims Library, and HAG members Nancy Lowentritt and Andrea Hano encouraged me to enter the show. I had a great time showing my work. It was so much fun. I’ve been a guild member ever since.”
Gauthreaux who is also one of the administrators of the guild’s Facebook page explained the benefits of joining the Hammond Art Guild.
“It has a solid membership,” said Gauthreaux. “It is serious in promoting the arts with its members and in the community, and it promotes members to get involved in community-oriented projects. It encourages members to also teach classes for the community, put work in different venues, become socially conscious about getting people to get involved through the different social medias and actively encourage its members.”
Settembrino always had an interest in the art field but didn’t feel he would be good at it.
“I have always wanted to paint, but I had convinced myself I wouldn’t be very good,” said Settembrino. “In 2015, my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I don’t know why exactly, but I decided to start painting. Painting became an escape, but it also helped me cope with his death. I started out painting with watercolors. The way the colors danced on the paper brought joy to a dark time in my life.”
When asked about his future plans, Settembrino said he will continue his membership with the guild and encourage creativity amongst his students.
“I plan to continue painting and showing with the guild,” said Settembrino. “I also plan to continue to encourage my sociology students to reconnect with their creativity. Since 2015, I’ve required students enrolled in my race and ethnic relations courses to complete a ‘creative project.’ Essentially, students can do anything other than writing a term paper.”
Lowentritt used an event on campus a few years ago to gather interest in the spring show.
“I went to a talk on campus that was put on by the art department or maybe the Contemporary Art Gallery,” said Lowentritt. “Cannot remember exactly, but I went there, and I brought some flyers with me about the upcoming spring show that year and talked to a number of students that seemed to be interested. So, that spring there were about, I think eight students who entered the show, and it was really great.”
According to Lowentritt, the guild enjoys having young people join them, and by reducing the membership fee from $25 to $20, it’s more affordable for all members.
“Once a year, we have an annual spring show, which is open to non-members and members,” said Lowentritt. “If you’re a member, you can enter three paintings each year for a flat fee, and if you’re a non-member, you’ll pay per entry. That would cost more to enter the show if you’re not a member. We love having young people join us, so that’s why we reached out to SLU. We like them, and you know, not everybody can afford it. So, that’s why we lowered the price to $20, and it’s a lot of exposure for $20.”
Settembrino also shared his opinion on how HAG works with the students on campus.
“I can’t speak to HRAC’s relationship with SELU students although I know they had shows recently that featured SELU alumni,” said Settembrino. “But HAG loves to have SELU students. Our membership is open to anyone. For me, students bring a fresh perspective to the guild, through their art and through their ideas. You don’t have to be an art student to join. You just need to be an artist.”
Settembrino believes that students in the art field get many more opportunities by joining the HAG.
“SELU students should join the art guild because it gives them an opportunity to show and sell their work,” said Settembrino. “The guild organizes several group shows each year where members can show their work for free or for a small fee. It’s a great way for students to get exposure to a larger audience.”
Settembrino also feels he’s been influenced by many of the members in the guild.
“There are so many wonderful artists in the guild who’ve been working their craft for decades,” said Settembrino. “They have so much information to share about techniques and the art business. I’ve learned so much from other guild members. Nancy Lowentritt is a great mentor, and Andrea Hano has been so encouraging.”
Lowentritt said that by becoming a member of the guild, students can enter their work into the annual art show.
“The membership that people pay at the beginning of our fiscal year, which is Oct. 1, entitles them to enter this spring 56th annual show,” said Lowentritt.