The Hammond Regional Arts Center kicked off its 53rd annual Open Exhibition hosting the Hammond Art Guild. A reception followed the opening May 1, allowing the community to view the wide range of art mediums. 

According to Daphne Hebert, HRAC Operations Manager, the mediums include ceramics, digital printing, paintings, ink drawing, 3D sculptures and even a hand sketched emu egg by artist Tootie Calmes.

“Each artist is required to put in a medium of art of their choice. However, they are not allowed to repeat their previous designs or art. This is what makes it unique. It is always interesting to watch the artists’ progression year after year,” said Hebert.

During the reception, people listened to live music by Jim Fournet, enjoyed refreshments and wandered from one medium to the next, picking their favorite. Rolan Guidry, Hammond Art Guild’s vice president, submitted one of his oil paintings and won People’s Choice Award.

Highlighted artists included Bruce Hume, President of the Hammond Art Guild and Nancy Stutes, who won a Best of Show for her pastel drawing. Guidry’s oil-based medium placed honorable mention. 

The skill level is not limited and neither is the desired art.

“It is an open show. Anyone can enter up to 3 mediums. It is different styles every year,” said Hebert.

The reception was also a part of Hammond’s First Friday Art Walk. HRAC opens a new exhibition on the first Friday of every month with the exception of holidays.

“It’s a downtown wide event very similar to Hot August Nights. Many businesses stay open later, have discounts and even present art of their own. It gives everyone the chance to be a part of the event,” said Hebert. 

The exhibition will be open through May 31. It is free of charge, and HRAC staff encourages the community, including college students, to step out of their comfort zones to enjoy what the artists have created.

New center hours for the HRAC are Monday through Friday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, visit the website at hammondarts.org, call 985-542-7113 or e-mail [email protected].

Original pieces were made by many artists as they submitted work of multiple mediums.
Artist Chuck Wright painted “Frank Davis” (left) using acrylic on fence board.
Artist Andrea V. Hano created “Presence of Eternal Onement”
(top right) using oil. Artist Sylvia Rochester created “Foraging” (bottom right) using oil.
The Lion's Roar/ Megan Ferrando