Union Parish ARTISTS OF THE MONTH
August, 2022
TA-DA! Union Arts Council is proud to announce its Artist of the Month for August! It is the talented Andrea Beckler, portrait artist.
Andrea says she enjoys working in several mediums including watercolor, graphite, acrylic, silverpoint, and wood. “I’m in love with watercolor right now,” she says. “I’m primarily a portrait artist and while I work in standard scale, I especially enjoy painting miniature watercolor portraits. I love the challenge of capturing someone’s expression in a difficult medium on a tiny canvas. When it all lines up, it’s magical!”
Andrea says she became serious about art in her early 20s, learning her craft with no formal lessons. “I graduated from Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe with a degree in education and very quickly realized that I was not cut out for it. I knew that I would never be happy teaching elementary school.” So by collaborating with artist-husband Dave, Andrea evolved into an artist, and found her happy place.
In addition to pursuing traditional painting, she also is a tattoo artist along with Dave. The two own Stargazer Studio at 113 W. Jackson Street in Farmerville, where they create custom tattoo designs for clients, and display Andrea’s artwork. Of special interest are Andrea’s custom portraits of children and pets. “Opening an art and tattoo studio early in 2020 during the very beginning of a global pandemic was absolutely crazy but we have been blown away by the reception that our studio has received in the past two years,” says Andrea. To see a little of their work, check out Facebook @yourstargazerstudio.
“The people in this area have been an absolute delight,” says Andrea. “We love Union Parish and we are so proud to be a part of this community.”
It looks like Union Parish people love Andrea right back.
TA-DA! Union Arts Council is proud to announce its Artist of the Month for August! It is the talented Andrea Beckler, portrait artist.
Andrea says she enjoys working in several mediums including watercolor, graphite, acrylic, silverpoint, and wood. “I’m in love with watercolor right now,” she says. “I’m primarily a portrait artist and while I work in standard scale, I especially enjoy painting miniature watercolor portraits. I love the challenge of capturing someone’s expression in a difficult medium on a tiny canvas. When it all lines up, it’s magical!”
Andrea says she became serious about art in her early 20s, learning her craft with no formal lessons. “I graduated from Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe with a degree in education and very quickly realized that I was not cut out for it. I knew that I would never be happy teaching elementary school.” So by collaborating with artist-husband Dave, Andrea evolved into an artist, and found her happy place.
In addition to pursuing traditional painting, she also is a tattoo artist along with Dave. The two own Stargazer Studio at 113 W. Jackson Street in Farmerville, where they create custom tattoo designs for clients, and display Andrea’s artwork. Of special interest are Andrea’s custom portraits of children and pets. “Opening an art and tattoo studio early in 2020 during the very beginning of a global pandemic was absolutely crazy but we have been blown away by the reception that our studio has received in the past two years,” says Andrea. To see a little of their work, check out Facebook @yourstargazerstudio.
“The people in this area have been an absolute delight,” says Andrea. “We love Union Parish and we are so proud to be a part of this community.”
It looks like Union Parish people love Andrea right back.
July, 2022
TA-DA! The Union Arts Council is proud to announce its Artist of the Month for July. It is master wood crafter Mike Black.
What began as a small woodworking project has now exploded into a daily creative process. His wife Sandy explains, “It was a little over 10 years ago when one of his children was getting married, and they asked if he could make several wooden boxes to serve in and to use as decoration for the reception. He tore apart a few pallets and made the boxes. They were a hit; everybody wanted one. So he made several and people bought them. That’s when his love for woodworking began, and it has given him many hours of joy since.”
When Mike retired from Claiborne Electric after a 44-year career, he had more time to devote to his apparent God-given talent. With no training at all, Mike delved into the intricacies of wood crafting, learning by doing. He made trays out of old barn wood, with deer horn handles. He carved wooden ducks, made knives of all shapes and sizes, bowls, and varied serving pieces.
Mike says his favorite thing to do is build furniture: tables of all kinds and shape, kitchen islands, side boards, cabinets, headboards and bookcases. His many friends help by bringing him wood of all kinds, metal, deer horns, and odd “junk”---he uses is all to create beautiful and useful keepsakes. “I feel truly blessed to be able to do this and appreciate all the people who have helped me do what I love,” says Mike.
When he was told that the Union Arts Council had selected him as Artist of the Month, Mike laughed and responded, “I’m not an artist.” Well, sir, you are transforming natural and found materials into things of beauty. That is an artist!
TA-DA! The Union Arts Council is proud to announce its Artist of the Month for July. It is master wood crafter Mike Black.
What began as a small woodworking project has now exploded into a daily creative process. His wife Sandy explains, “It was a little over 10 years ago when one of his children was getting married, and they asked if he could make several wooden boxes to serve in and to use as decoration for the reception. He tore apart a few pallets and made the boxes. They were a hit; everybody wanted one. So he made several and people bought them. That’s when his love for woodworking began, and it has given him many hours of joy since.”
When Mike retired from Claiborne Electric after a 44-year career, he had more time to devote to his apparent God-given talent. With no training at all, Mike delved into the intricacies of wood crafting, learning by doing. He made trays out of old barn wood, with deer horn handles. He carved wooden ducks, made knives of all shapes and sizes, bowls, and varied serving pieces.
Mike says his favorite thing to do is build furniture: tables of all kinds and shape, kitchen islands, side boards, cabinets, headboards and bookcases. His many friends help by bringing him wood of all kinds, metal, deer horns, and odd “junk”---he uses is all to create beautiful and useful keepsakes. “I feel truly blessed to be able to do this and appreciate all the people who have helped me do what I love,” says Mike.
When he was told that the Union Arts Council had selected him as Artist of the Month, Mike laughed and responded, “I’m not an artist.” Well, sir, you are transforming natural and found materials into things of beauty. That is an artist!
une, 2022
TA-DA! The Union Arts Council is proud to announce its Artist of the Month for June. It is Linville’s own Fran Pilgreen Cable, creator of paintings, ornaments, wood crafts, folk art, and much more.
We will let her tell her own story about her long career as an outstanding visual artist:
“I knew when I was in the 3rd grade that I wanted to be an artist when I drew a pirate ship for an assignment and my teacher, Mrs. Ruby Edwards, along with my mother, encouraged me to continue to draw. I took art lessons briefly from Mrs. Holder in Farmerville when I was in 5th grade. In high school, I was art editor for our school newspaper and yearbook. After graduating high school, I attended the University of Louisiana at Monroe and graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, concentrating in painting and drawing.
“While in college I had several solo exhibits on campus and designed the first annual Marion Mayhaw Festival T-Shirt. Through the years, several times, I was asked to create designs for the Mayhaw Festival. I have also entered several poster contests in North Louisiana, one being The Union Parish Chamber of Commerce, which printed a limited number of posters from my original painting.
“In 1985 I moved to Baton Rouge and worked as the artist for the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. I worked within the Marketing Department, so my duties were to design and create booths for the Department of Agriculture at the Louisiana State Fair as well as work with a design agency to create posters, brochures and other informational materials. I also did designs and drawings for the Louisiana Market Bulletin and redesigned the logo for the Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
“I met and married my husband Kerry Cable in 1987, and moved back to North Louisiana. We attended an adult woodcraft class through our church. Out of this class our part time woodcraft business was born. Together we cut out and painted rustic woodcrafts from 1988 until 2018.
“In 1988 I went to work for CenturyTel. That same year, the function committee chairperson asked if Kerry and I would be interested in designing and painting the Corporate Christmas Ornament. At the time the company gave out 400 ornaments to Corporate and Marion employees. We continued to do the ornaments until 2014. The ornament numbers increased eventually to 1750 each year.
“Several years ago, we took in our carport and made an art studio. This space gives me the freedom to work as I can on my art pieces. I have a place I can go to ‘switch gears’, from my daily routines to self-express and create pieces I choose.
“I have done portraits, pet portraits, rustic and folk-art paintings and abstract. I prefer abstract and folk art above all others. Abstract, for it opens up the viewer to their own interpretation. Rustic, due to my love for children’s artistry, as well as folk-art and its depictions of everyday life. I believe my mother, Mary Frances, had a profound impact on the styles of art I still choose to delve into today. She did drawings and paintings throughout my life, using oils and inks as her choice of mediums.
“I have used many mediums throughout the years and find that I prefer acrylic paint, because it is permanent, water soluble, fast drying and it doesn’t yellow as oils do. With acrylics, I can paint wet on wet, opaque to thin and transparent. Although I can’t achieve the richness I would with oils, continuing to layer on paint, the results to me are enough. I have learned through the years to manipulate the paint quickly and find it works very well in mixed media pieces.
“I continue to paint when I can, and sell my art through The Dean of Flowers in Farmerville as well as a few local arts and crafts festivals and The Art Crawl in Monroe.”
The Union Arts Council…indeed all of Union Parish… is proud of your long and varied art career, Fran. Keep it up!
TA-DA! The Union Arts Council is proud to announce its Artist of the Month for June. It is Linville’s own Fran Pilgreen Cable, creator of paintings, ornaments, wood crafts, folk art, and much more.
We will let her tell her own story about her long career as an outstanding visual artist:
“I knew when I was in the 3rd grade that I wanted to be an artist when I drew a pirate ship for an assignment and my teacher, Mrs. Ruby Edwards, along with my mother, encouraged me to continue to draw. I took art lessons briefly from Mrs. Holder in Farmerville when I was in 5th grade. In high school, I was art editor for our school newspaper and yearbook. After graduating high school, I attended the University of Louisiana at Monroe and graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, concentrating in painting and drawing.
“While in college I had several solo exhibits on campus and designed the first annual Marion Mayhaw Festival T-Shirt. Through the years, several times, I was asked to create designs for the Mayhaw Festival. I have also entered several poster contests in North Louisiana, one being The Union Parish Chamber of Commerce, which printed a limited number of posters from my original painting.
“In 1985 I moved to Baton Rouge and worked as the artist for the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. I worked within the Marketing Department, so my duties were to design and create booths for the Department of Agriculture at the Louisiana State Fair as well as work with a design agency to create posters, brochures and other informational materials. I also did designs and drawings for the Louisiana Market Bulletin and redesigned the logo for the Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
“I met and married my husband Kerry Cable in 1987, and moved back to North Louisiana. We attended an adult woodcraft class through our church. Out of this class our part time woodcraft business was born. Together we cut out and painted rustic woodcrafts from 1988 until 2018.
“In 1988 I went to work for CenturyTel. That same year, the function committee chairperson asked if Kerry and I would be interested in designing and painting the Corporate Christmas Ornament. At the time the company gave out 400 ornaments to Corporate and Marion employees. We continued to do the ornaments until 2014. The ornament numbers increased eventually to 1750 each year.
“Several years ago, we took in our carport and made an art studio. This space gives me the freedom to work as I can on my art pieces. I have a place I can go to ‘switch gears’, from my daily routines to self-express and create pieces I choose.
“I have done portraits, pet portraits, rustic and folk-art paintings and abstract. I prefer abstract and folk art above all others. Abstract, for it opens up the viewer to their own interpretation. Rustic, due to my love for children’s artistry, as well as folk-art and its depictions of everyday life. I believe my mother, Mary Frances, had a profound impact on the styles of art I still choose to delve into today. She did drawings and paintings throughout my life, using oils and inks as her choice of mediums.
“I have used many mediums throughout the years and find that I prefer acrylic paint, because it is permanent, water soluble, fast drying and it doesn’t yellow as oils do. With acrylics, I can paint wet on wet, opaque to thin and transparent. Although I can’t achieve the richness I would with oils, continuing to layer on paint, the results to me are enough. I have learned through the years to manipulate the paint quickly and find it works very well in mixed media pieces.
“I continue to paint when I can, and sell my art through The Dean of Flowers in Farmerville as well as a few local arts and crafts festivals and The Art Crawl in Monroe.”
The Union Arts Council…indeed all of Union Parish… is proud of your long and varied art career, Fran. Keep it up!
May, 2022
TA-DA! Union Arts Council is proud to announce its Union Parish Artist of the Month for May. It is Dr. Richard Seiler, renowned piano professor and performer, affectionately called Rick by his friends and family.
Dr. Seiler is a Professor, Keyboard Area Coordinator, and a previous holder (2010-2013) of the Emy-Lou Biedenharn Endowed Professorship in Music in the Department of Music in the School of Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Louisiana at Monroe where he teaches piano, piano literature, and music theory. “I am thrilled and honored to have been selected Artist of the Month for May by the Union Arts Council,” says Dr. Seiler. He holds performance degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (BM), Illinois State University (MM), and Louisiana State University (DMA).
A native of Brevard, North Carolina, Dr. Seiler has taught masterclasses and performed as a solo/collaborative pianist in the United States, Europe, Canada, Japan, and China, has soloed with orchestras in North Carolina, Illinois, and Louisiana, including the LSU Symphony in a performance of the Prokofiev Third Piano Concerto, and has recorded twice each for Centaur Records and MSR Classics.
He performs and tours frequently with numerous ULM faculty ensembles, and has performed numerous times with national music conventions and conferences.
He has served as the accompanist for the Louisiana All-State Choir for twenty-three years, and is the rehearsal/performance pianist for The Louisiana Opera. He served on the guest artist teaching and performing faculty at the International Music Festival in Yantai, China (Summer 2006) and as a faculty collaborative pianist at the Curso Internacional de Musica Vocal (Summers 2013-14) in Aveiro, Portugal.
Dr. Seiler has worked closely with world-renowned composers and has toured the state with Northeast Louisiana Arts Council ensembles-in-residence since 2002, having been awarded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, through the Louisiana Division of the Arts.
He is a co-recipient of the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council’s 2006 Artist-of-the-Year Award and won the 2011 ULM Foundation Award for Excellence in Creative/Artistic Activity. Dr. Seiler also serves as organist/choirmaster at Grace Episcopal Church in Monroe and was the artistic director and pianist for the “Tuesdays in June” summer concert series for the last fifteen of its forty seasons.
TA-DA! Union Arts Council is proud to announce its Union Parish Artist of the Month for May. It is Dr. Richard Seiler, renowned piano professor and performer, affectionately called Rick by his friends and family.
Dr. Seiler is a Professor, Keyboard Area Coordinator, and a previous holder (2010-2013) of the Emy-Lou Biedenharn Endowed Professorship in Music in the Department of Music in the School of Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Louisiana at Monroe where he teaches piano, piano literature, and music theory. “I am thrilled and honored to have been selected Artist of the Month for May by the Union Arts Council,” says Dr. Seiler. He holds performance degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (BM), Illinois State University (MM), and Louisiana State University (DMA).
A native of Brevard, North Carolina, Dr. Seiler has taught masterclasses and performed as a solo/collaborative pianist in the United States, Europe, Canada, Japan, and China, has soloed with orchestras in North Carolina, Illinois, and Louisiana, including the LSU Symphony in a performance of the Prokofiev Third Piano Concerto, and has recorded twice each for Centaur Records and MSR Classics.
He performs and tours frequently with numerous ULM faculty ensembles, and has performed numerous times with national music conventions and conferences.
He has served as the accompanist for the Louisiana All-State Choir for twenty-three years, and is the rehearsal/performance pianist for The Louisiana Opera. He served on the guest artist teaching and performing faculty at the International Music Festival in Yantai, China (Summer 2006) and as a faculty collaborative pianist at the Curso Internacional de Musica Vocal (Summers 2013-14) in Aveiro, Portugal.
Dr. Seiler has worked closely with world-renowned composers and has toured the state with Northeast Louisiana Arts Council ensembles-in-residence since 2002, having been awarded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, through the Louisiana Division of the Arts.
He is a co-recipient of the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council’s 2006 Artist-of-the-Year Award and won the 2011 ULM Foundation Award for Excellence in Creative/Artistic Activity. Dr. Seiler also serves as organist/choirmaster at Grace Episcopal Church in Monroe and was the artistic director and pianist for the “Tuesdays in June” summer concert series for the last fifteen of its forty seasons.
April, 2022
TA-DA! Union Arts Council is proud to announce its “Artist of the Month” for April: It is visual artist Jailen Carodine!!
Jailen began making a name for himself a few years ago as a high school student showing his works in local art shows. “When I was in the 9th grade at D’Arbonne Woods Charter School, I took my first art classes under Erin Hanna, and found my artistic inspiration,” he says. “I entered my first art show with the Union Arts Council and placed with my charcoal piece ‘Lonely Night.”’
Since then, he has continued to enter art shows and participate in community art projects to improve Union Parish. He is very proud of his work as an artist on the Bernice mural that welcomes people coming through his hometown. His part-time work with the Union Parish Library on the “Save Our Swamp” awareness exhibit won a state-wide award with the Keep Louisiana Beautiful Program.
After his “Artistically Unique” Art Show in 2021 at the library, Jailen launched his art website “House of Velvet Artistry,” where anyone can view and buy his artwork.
After graduating college, he plans to pursue a field of study to grow and broaden his artistic career path even more. Jailen’s talent, coupled with his engaging personality, will take him far.
To see more of Jailen’s works, visit these sites:
Houseofvelvetartistry.com
Facebook: Jailen Carodine
Instagram: Jailen Carodine
TA-DA! Union Arts Council is proud to announce its “Artist of the Month” for April: It is visual artist Jailen Carodine!!
Jailen began making a name for himself a few years ago as a high school student showing his works in local art shows. “When I was in the 9th grade at D’Arbonne Woods Charter School, I took my first art classes under Erin Hanna, and found my artistic inspiration,” he says. “I entered my first art show with the Union Arts Council and placed with my charcoal piece ‘Lonely Night.”’
Since then, he has continued to enter art shows and participate in community art projects to improve Union Parish. He is very proud of his work as an artist on the Bernice mural that welcomes people coming through his hometown. His part-time work with the Union Parish Library on the “Save Our Swamp” awareness exhibit won a state-wide award with the Keep Louisiana Beautiful Program.
After his “Artistically Unique” Art Show in 2021 at the library, Jailen launched his art website “House of Velvet Artistry,” where anyone can view and buy his artwork.
After graduating college, he plans to pursue a field of study to grow and broaden his artistic career path even more. Jailen’s talent, coupled with his engaging personality, will take him far.
To see more of Jailen’s works, visit these sites:
Houseofvelvetartistry.com
Facebook: Jailen Carodine
Instagram: Jailen Carodine
March, 2022
TA-DA! Union Arts Council is proud to announce its Artist of the Month for March: It is renowned porcelain artist Joye Hinton.
Joye---whose name fits her sparkling nature perfectly--- says, “Art is a love for me,” inspiring her to paint every day. Over her 30-plus years of painting, she has created untold thousands of beautifully adorned china ware items that bring pleasure to those fortunate enough to possess them. One year she sold more than 1500 pieces, her personal record.
In her Farmerville home, she paints raw ware with flowers, berries, fruit, ivy and other traditional images, then fires the items in her kiln. This process is often repeated several times as she adds more details to each piece. Once glazed and fired for the last time, pieces are placed in her showroom to be sold mostly online, but also to in-person visitors.
Joye also is an art teacher, who has instructed students in oils and acrylics in the past, but china painting nowadays. For information on enrolling, call her at 318-368-8169.
So to Joye we say, keep turning out those gorgeous porcelain artworks. You are spreading beauty, and joy, everywhere.
TA-DA! Union Arts Council is proud to announce its Artist of the Month for March: It is renowned porcelain artist Joye Hinton.
Joye---whose name fits her sparkling nature perfectly--- says, “Art is a love for me,” inspiring her to paint every day. Over her 30-plus years of painting, she has created untold thousands of beautifully adorned china ware items that bring pleasure to those fortunate enough to possess them. One year she sold more than 1500 pieces, her personal record.
In her Farmerville home, she paints raw ware with flowers, berries, fruit, ivy and other traditional images, then fires the items in her kiln. This process is often repeated several times as she adds more details to each piece. Once glazed and fired for the last time, pieces are placed in her showroom to be sold mostly online, but also to in-person visitors.
Joye also is an art teacher, who has instructed students in oils and acrylics in the past, but china painting nowadays. For information on enrolling, call her at 318-368-8169.
So to Joye we say, keep turning out those gorgeous porcelain artworks. You are spreading beauty, and joy, everywhere.
February, 2022
TA-DA! Union Arts Council is proud to announce its “Artist of the Month” for February. It is master woodworker Audie Maxey!
Audie is the owner of Audie’s Wooden Bowl Works based in Linville. A native of Union Parish, Audie has always had an interest in wood, handed down from an early age by his grandfather, Aubra Love.
Audie says, “He started me off young and we spent many hours cutting out tool handles and boat paddles with a drawknife.” Even in college, long after his grandfather was gone, Audie continued the hobby of making boat paddles and other wooden items in his spare time.
Audie remembers being in a neighbor’s shop at the age of 8 or 9 and watching him turn spindle shapes. “For some reason that fascinated me,” he says.
After college Audie built a shop and started dedicating more time to his woodworking hobby. At that time he was mostly making small items and some furniture, but decided that he wanted to focus on woodturning and that he could teach himself to do it. He bought a small lathe and began learning. It wasn’t long until he upgraded to a larger lathe and began his bowl turning.
Audie, who is mostly self-taught, has been turning bowls for about 15 years now. He generally only uses wood that has been downed by natural causes or that someone has already cut. His creations have been shipped all over the United States and even Europe. He has won numerous awards for his art---including awards in Union Arts Council annual shows--- and was commissioned by the North La. Arts Council a few years ago to design their yearly Volunteer of the Year Award.
TA-DA! Union Arts Council is proud to announce its “Artist of the Month” for February. It is master woodworker Audie Maxey!
Audie is the owner of Audie’s Wooden Bowl Works based in Linville. A native of Union Parish, Audie has always had an interest in wood, handed down from an early age by his grandfather, Aubra Love.
Audie says, “He started me off young and we spent many hours cutting out tool handles and boat paddles with a drawknife.” Even in college, long after his grandfather was gone, Audie continued the hobby of making boat paddles and other wooden items in his spare time.
Audie remembers being in a neighbor’s shop at the age of 8 or 9 and watching him turn spindle shapes. “For some reason that fascinated me,” he says.
After college Audie built a shop and started dedicating more time to his woodworking hobby. At that time he was mostly making small items and some furniture, but decided that he wanted to focus on woodturning and that he could teach himself to do it. He bought a small lathe and began learning. It wasn’t long until he upgraded to a larger lathe and began his bowl turning.
Audie, who is mostly self-taught, has been turning bowls for about 15 years now. He generally only uses wood that has been downed by natural causes or that someone has already cut. His creations have been shipped all over the United States and even Europe. He has won numerous awards for his art---including awards in Union Arts Council annual shows--- and was commissioned by the North La. Arts Council a few years ago to design their yearly Volunteer of the Year Award.
January, 2022
TA-DA! Union Arts Council proudly announces its Artist of the Month for January 2022: operatic singer Claire Vangelisti!
With a voice that has been described as “pure, lovely, vibrant, truthful, and lustrous,” Claire Vangelisti has found success on both national and international stages, singing operatic repertoire from Bach to Berg. She holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Texas at Austin, and is currently Professor of Music and Voice Program Coordinator at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
Vangelisti has received many honors and awards in recognition for excellence in teaching, as well as in performing. In 2005 and 2006, she was nominated and listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. In 2007, Vangelisti received an Outstanding Alumni Award from her undergraduate alma mater Central Washington University, honored for her career achievements post-graduation. In 2012, Vangelisti received a Foundation Award for Excellence in Creative/Artistic Activity from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
Vangelisti has performed as concert soloist in many works including Mozart's “Great” Mass in C Minor, Solemn Vespers, and Mass in C Major, as well as Schubert's Mass No. 2 in G Major, Vivaldi's Gloria, Rutter's Requiem, Handel's Judas Maccabaeus and Messiah, Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass, and Bach’s B Minor Mass.
She has appeared as a guest soloist with The San Antonio Symphony, The Temple Philharmonic Orchestra, The Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra, The Texas Chamber Consort, Austin Civic Chorus, Austin Civic Orchestra, Austin Symphonic Band and The Austin Chamber Ensemble.
Her superb voice and sparkling stage presence have taken her to several performances in Europe, as well. She and pianist Richard Seiler performed locally in 2015 for a Union Arts Council dinner theater event at Edgewood Plantation and for Downsville Charter School high school students.
TA-DA! Union Arts Council proudly announces its Artist of the Month for January 2022: operatic singer Claire Vangelisti!
With a voice that has been described as “pure, lovely, vibrant, truthful, and lustrous,” Claire Vangelisti has found success on both national and international stages, singing operatic repertoire from Bach to Berg. She holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Texas at Austin, and is currently Professor of Music and Voice Program Coordinator at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
Vangelisti has received many honors and awards in recognition for excellence in teaching, as well as in performing. In 2005 and 2006, she was nominated and listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. In 2007, Vangelisti received an Outstanding Alumni Award from her undergraduate alma mater Central Washington University, honored for her career achievements post-graduation. In 2012, Vangelisti received a Foundation Award for Excellence in Creative/Artistic Activity from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
Vangelisti has performed as concert soloist in many works including Mozart's “Great” Mass in C Minor, Solemn Vespers, and Mass in C Major, as well as Schubert's Mass No. 2 in G Major, Vivaldi's Gloria, Rutter's Requiem, Handel's Judas Maccabaeus and Messiah, Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass, and Bach’s B Minor Mass.
She has appeared as a guest soloist with The San Antonio Symphony, The Temple Philharmonic Orchestra, The Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra, The Texas Chamber Consort, Austin Civic Chorus, Austin Civic Orchestra, Austin Symphonic Band and The Austin Chamber Ensemble.
Her superb voice and sparkling stage presence have taken her to several performances in Europe, as well. She and pianist Richard Seiler performed locally in 2015 for a Union Arts Council dinner theater event at Edgewood Plantation and for Downsville Charter School high school students.
December, 2021
TA-DA! Union Arts Council is proud to announce its “Artist of the Month” for December. It is Cody Chandler, piano teacher and performer extraordinaire!
Cody is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance. He has been studying piano since the age of five, and has been playing in local churches his entire life. Cody’s musical influences include gospel and country standouts Floyd Cramer, Joseph Martin, and Anthony Burger, but he also enjoys playing the classical music of Beethoven and Chopin.
He was a pianist at Douglas United Methodist Church in Ruston from 2004-2015 and has been the pianist at Farmerville United Methodist church since 2015, where congregants enjoy his inspired talent every Sunday. He is also a private piano instructor at Cody’s Piano Studio which has a current enrollment of over 40 students. He is the current president of RAMTA (Ruston Area Music Teachers Association), and works as an accompanist for vocal students for Louisiana Tech University and Grambling State University.
Cody has performed at various venues and concerts throughout the area, such as the Joyful Noise Jubilee at Douglas Church for five years, the Dixie Center for the Arts, and the Union Museum of History and Art concert series.
Cody resides in Union Parish and pursues his music passion with the support of his beautiful wife Keri and their children, Grant and Emmy.
We wish him well as he begins the next chapter in his music career in January of 2022 by pursuing his Master Degree in Music Education from Liberty University.
Video shot in 2010 at Douglas UMC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sZG7LJrLLU
TA-DA! Union Arts Council is proud to announce its “Artist of the Month” for December. It is Cody Chandler, piano teacher and performer extraordinaire!
Cody is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance. He has been studying piano since the age of five, and has been playing in local churches his entire life. Cody’s musical influences include gospel and country standouts Floyd Cramer, Joseph Martin, and Anthony Burger, but he also enjoys playing the classical music of Beethoven and Chopin.
He was a pianist at Douglas United Methodist Church in Ruston from 2004-2015 and has been the pianist at Farmerville United Methodist church since 2015, where congregants enjoy his inspired talent every Sunday. He is also a private piano instructor at Cody’s Piano Studio which has a current enrollment of over 40 students. He is the current president of RAMTA (Ruston Area Music Teachers Association), and works as an accompanist for vocal students for Louisiana Tech University and Grambling State University.
Cody has performed at various venues and concerts throughout the area, such as the Joyful Noise Jubilee at Douglas Church for five years, the Dixie Center for the Arts, and the Union Museum of History and Art concert series.
Cody resides in Union Parish and pursues his music passion with the support of his beautiful wife Keri and their children, Grant and Emmy.
We wish him well as he begins the next chapter in his music career in January of 2022 by pursuing his Master Degree in Music Education from Liberty University.
Video shot in 2010 at Douglas UMC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sZG7LJrLLU
November, 2021
TA-DA! Union Arts Council announces its Artist of the Month for November: Lisa Wilkes.
This Farmerville native uses her oils and brushes to embellish all varieties of wood pieces such as trunks, boxes, and paneling, and to paint on traditional canvas and hardboard.
She began her art journey as an adult. “Although I had never been an artist of any kind, a friend invited me to go to a painting class at a local craft store. I was hooked immediately!” she says. “I love painting because of the mental escape it provides. Time flies when I am doing art.”
Lisa has been married to her husband, Don David Wilkes, for 41 years. They have two children, David and Crystal. “Much of my time is spent with my many rescue animals that I adore. I mostly have dogs and cats, but also have two rescue rabbits and a 22 year old cockatiel,” says Lisa.
After her graduation from Louisiana Tech University, she worked as a hospital social worker before she decided to stay home with her family. “I collect Fiesta, depression glass, and colorful, fun items for decorating. One of my favorite hobbies is to set beautiful and fun table scapes,” says Lisa.
Her husband bought a small house near their home for her to use as an art studio. “Some of my cats live there to give me company when I am painting. It is my happy place,” she says.
TA-DA! Union Arts Council announces its Artist of the Month for November: Lisa Wilkes.
This Farmerville native uses her oils and brushes to embellish all varieties of wood pieces such as trunks, boxes, and paneling, and to paint on traditional canvas and hardboard.
She began her art journey as an adult. “Although I had never been an artist of any kind, a friend invited me to go to a painting class at a local craft store. I was hooked immediately!” she says. “I love painting because of the mental escape it provides. Time flies when I am doing art.”
Lisa has been married to her husband, Don David Wilkes, for 41 years. They have two children, David and Crystal. “Much of my time is spent with my many rescue animals that I adore. I mostly have dogs and cats, but also have two rescue rabbits and a 22 year old cockatiel,” says Lisa.
After her graduation from Louisiana Tech University, she worked as a hospital social worker before she decided to stay home with her family. “I collect Fiesta, depression glass, and colorful, fun items for decorating. One of my favorite hobbies is to set beautiful and fun table scapes,” says Lisa.
Her husband bought a small house near their home for her to use as an art studio. “Some of my cats live there to give me company when I am painting. It is my happy place,” she says.
October, 2021
TA-DA! The Union Arts Council announces its “Artist of the Month” for October: Nicole Ramsey.
Nicole is a self-taught artist who took up brush and acrylics only three years ago, but has quickly become a favorite among local art enthusiasts. One of her earliest paintings earned first place and People’s Choice honors in the Union Arts Council 2019 art competition. Twelve of her paintings were featured in the “Art in the Time of Coronavirus” exhibit in the Union Museum of History and Art early in 2021
Nicole’s unconventional outlook and eye for color produces what she terms her “impressionistic” style. Her love of horses and the outdoors appears frequently in her paintings. “When I am not painting I work at a local outdoor paddle and provisions shop called H2GO. I do a fair amount of kayaking and other outdoors activities like running and horseback riding,” says the 26 year-old Nicole.
“Lately with my art I have been inspired to do more with abstract human figures and faces,” she says. “I lean more towards the unusual art work that invokes strong emotion from its observers and that is what I try to create in my own pieces.”
Nicole is a graduate of Claiborne Christian Academy and worked as a veterinarian technician for several years. She married Jacob Ramsey in 2018 and counts him as her biggest supporter. “He always encourages me in all my endeavors and will be the first to show up to any event I have.”
TA-DA! The Union Arts Council announces its “Artist of the Month” for October: Nicole Ramsey.
Nicole is a self-taught artist who took up brush and acrylics only three years ago, but has quickly become a favorite among local art enthusiasts. One of her earliest paintings earned first place and People’s Choice honors in the Union Arts Council 2019 art competition. Twelve of her paintings were featured in the “Art in the Time of Coronavirus” exhibit in the Union Museum of History and Art early in 2021
Nicole’s unconventional outlook and eye for color produces what she terms her “impressionistic” style. Her love of horses and the outdoors appears frequently in her paintings. “When I am not painting I work at a local outdoor paddle and provisions shop called H2GO. I do a fair amount of kayaking and other outdoors activities like running and horseback riding,” says the 26 year-old Nicole.
“Lately with my art I have been inspired to do more with abstract human figures and faces,” she says. “I lean more towards the unusual art work that invokes strong emotion from its observers and that is what I try to create in my own pieces.”
Nicole is a graduate of Claiborne Christian Academy and worked as a veterinarian technician for several years. She married Jacob Ramsey in 2018 and counts him as her biggest supporter. “He always encourages me in all my endeavors and will be the first to show up to any event I have.”
September, 2021
TA-DA! Union Arts Council has selected Jamie Anderson as its "Artist of the Month" for September. Jamie's most notable work is the gorgeous public art sculpture "Fishing Fantasy," which sits on the south lawn of the Union Parish Courthouse, where thousands of drivers daily can admire the sparkling glass tile mosaic. Jamie's smaller glass mosaics have won top awards in several Union Arts Council art shows in recent years, the most recent being Best of Show in the 2021 art show held in April.
Her "Fishing Fantasy" public art work was commissioned by the Union Museum of History and Art, and formally dedicated in December 2018.
Jamie has been creating mosaic artworks most of her adult life, but says she became passionate about mosaic art after being diagnosed with cancer and going through treatments. In her words, "My art became my release, my therapy, and my celebration of life. Making mosaics was my creative outlet that I had always searched for. It became a reflection of my emotions, a bright rainbow of colors expressing my view of the world."
TA-DA! Union Arts Council has selected Jamie Anderson as its "Artist of the Month" for September. Jamie's most notable work is the gorgeous public art sculpture "Fishing Fantasy," which sits on the south lawn of the Union Parish Courthouse, where thousands of drivers daily can admire the sparkling glass tile mosaic. Jamie's smaller glass mosaics have won top awards in several Union Arts Council art shows in recent years, the most recent being Best of Show in the 2021 art show held in April.
Her "Fishing Fantasy" public art work was commissioned by the Union Museum of History and Art, and formally dedicated in December 2018.
Jamie has been creating mosaic artworks most of her adult life, but says she became passionate about mosaic art after being diagnosed with cancer and going through treatments. In her words, "My art became my release, my therapy, and my celebration of life. Making mosaics was my creative outlet that I had always searched for. It became a reflection of my emotions, a bright rainbow of colors expressing my view of the world."
August, 2021
TA-DA! Abstract artist Rickie Cox has been named “Artist of the Month” by the Union Arts Council.
Cox’s unique works have garnered awards in several local competitions, including Best of Show in the Union Arts Council’s 2015 Competitive Art Exhibition and First Place-Amateur Division in the UAC’s 2018 competition. His work also won first place in the Ruston Peach Festival art show in 2018.
Cox developed his talent during his teen years when he was a student of Farmerville art instructor Larce Holder around 1969 and 1970. Over time, he honed his skills and cultivated his personal style, which leans toward abstract paintings in oils and pen. “I want to project my thoughts onto canvas, rather than project a realistic image,” Cox says. “To me, paintings should be about personal expression. History inspires my paintings, which I do for my own enjoyment, and to see how it affects people viewing the art.”
TA-DA! Abstract artist Rickie Cox has been named “Artist of the Month” by the Union Arts Council.
Cox’s unique works have garnered awards in several local competitions, including Best of Show in the Union Arts Council’s 2015 Competitive Art Exhibition and First Place-Amateur Division in the UAC’s 2018 competition. His work also won first place in the Ruston Peach Festival art show in 2018.
Cox developed his talent during his teen years when he was a student of Farmerville art instructor Larce Holder around 1969 and 1970. Over time, he honed his skills and cultivated his personal style, which leans toward abstract paintings in oils and pen. “I want to project my thoughts onto canvas, rather than project a realistic image,” Cox says. “To me, paintings should be about personal expression. History inspires my paintings, which I do for my own enjoyment, and to see how it affects people viewing the art.”
July, 2021
TA-DA! The Union Arts Council is proud to announce that Angela Cusimano Russell is its July “Artist of the Month.” Ms. Angie, as she is known, is the owner and artistic director of The Dance Studio of Union Parish, located at 301 N. Lafayette Street, Farmerville. She is the daughter of Joe & Susan Cusimano and a lifetime resident of Farmerville. She began taking dance at the age of 3. She attended Miss Jamie's, Miss Kelley's, and finally Miss Heather's School of Dance. By Jr high school she was a teacher's assistant and soon after became a member of the competition team attending numerous Southern Association of Dance Masters Conventions and Twin City Ballet Workshops.
In 2005, Ms. Angie opened DSUP hoping to continue the work of one of her most important influences, teacher, friend, and mentor Ms. Heather Tyler Storm. Ms. Angie is certified in ballet, tap, jazz, and acro under The Southern Association of Dance Masters. She has her BA in English from Louisiana Tech. Ms. Angie has choreographed many award winning competition production, group, and solo pieces. She has worked with several pageant contestants over the years including instructing, choreographing, and rehearsing Miss Louisiana contestants for the event. Ms. Angie often attends dance conventions and competitions to continue her education and refresh her choreography.
Ms. Angie and her husband Jake Russell welcomed their long-awaited first child, Miss Isla Rose, on November 4th, 2018.
To describe her fascinating journey as a dancer and then a dance instructor and studio owner, we will let her tell the story herself. “I’ve always had a love of movement, the dramatic, and so much of the arts,” she says. I can vividly remember choreographing in my drive-way and putting on shows in my living room with all my stuffed animals and both willing and begrudging family and friends.
“Through junior high, high school, and college my dance teachers put me to work as a teacher’s assistant, assistant teacher, and then a teacher. My dance teacher, my mentor and best friend at the time, was in a car accident that eventually took her life. I did what I could to work with the tragedy of her accident to make myself a better person and teacher and to give back to her students and my community. I immediately felt the need to share my love of dance, therefore sharing the joy she shared with me. I became a certified teacher and opened my own studio having discovered this was exactly the direction I wanted to take in life. I would be able to build my own props, create my own dances, style production pieces, and direct my own show, things I had been doing as a child, literal dreams come true.
“I am literally the artistic director of The Dance Studio of Union Parish. I love the help of my staff, since they are now the very students who’ve been with me these 16 years. Together we choose a theme, music, costumes, accessories, props, and staging for about 40 dances in ballet, tap, jazz, acro, hip hop, lyrical, and contemporary.
“Our studio has grown. We began in 2005 registering about 70 students that first year, to around 200 the year we moved into our new building. Our location has grown with us from a one room building we rented, that had a cubby in the corner with a hand written ledger book, one bathroom and a hall way for a lobby, then a bigger one room studio with dressing rooms and a small office and a computer, to our new building we built in 2015 with two studio rooms and raised semi-sprung floors in both, a large lobby with TV’s to watch each room, an office with multiple desks, food prep area and space for teachers gather or rest and my daughter to play and nap, 4 bathrooms, and a nice dressing room, as well as a drive-thru outside.
“Our staff has absolutely blossomed over the year, first with just myself as the only teacher employing a few assistant teachers, to training several of my own students to be instructors, choreographers, and certified dance teachers, and being very proud to be able to expose them to competition and Twin City Ballet Company workshops, performances, and adjudications, occasionally hiring outside teachers and choreographers talent to work with us over the years. Our competition teams grew from a handful of students on one team to the year we had 18 dances and 18 students on our team. They’ve been awarded placements in the top 10 to first, special judges recognitions, artistry awards, and have been awarded scholarships and invites to perform at national competitions and special showcases using both my personal choreography, as well as choreographers we have invited in to set pieces and now we have the chance for our youngest staff to start their journeys with their choreography this summer.
“We feel so blessed to have the people, experiences, and space that make up our DSUP Family, Journey, and Home.”
TA-DA! The Union Arts Council is proud to announce that Angela Cusimano Russell is its July “Artist of the Month.” Ms. Angie, as she is known, is the owner and artistic director of The Dance Studio of Union Parish, located at 301 N. Lafayette Street, Farmerville. She is the daughter of Joe & Susan Cusimano and a lifetime resident of Farmerville. She began taking dance at the age of 3. She attended Miss Jamie's, Miss Kelley's, and finally Miss Heather's School of Dance. By Jr high school she was a teacher's assistant and soon after became a member of the competition team attending numerous Southern Association of Dance Masters Conventions and Twin City Ballet Workshops.
In 2005, Ms. Angie opened DSUP hoping to continue the work of one of her most important influences, teacher, friend, and mentor Ms. Heather Tyler Storm. Ms. Angie is certified in ballet, tap, jazz, and acro under The Southern Association of Dance Masters. She has her BA in English from Louisiana Tech. Ms. Angie has choreographed many award winning competition production, group, and solo pieces. She has worked with several pageant contestants over the years including instructing, choreographing, and rehearsing Miss Louisiana contestants for the event. Ms. Angie often attends dance conventions and competitions to continue her education and refresh her choreography.
Ms. Angie and her husband Jake Russell welcomed their long-awaited first child, Miss Isla Rose, on November 4th, 2018.
To describe her fascinating journey as a dancer and then a dance instructor and studio owner, we will let her tell the story herself. “I’ve always had a love of movement, the dramatic, and so much of the arts,” she says. I can vividly remember choreographing in my drive-way and putting on shows in my living room with all my stuffed animals and both willing and begrudging family and friends.
“Through junior high, high school, and college my dance teachers put me to work as a teacher’s assistant, assistant teacher, and then a teacher. My dance teacher, my mentor and best friend at the time, was in a car accident that eventually took her life. I did what I could to work with the tragedy of her accident to make myself a better person and teacher and to give back to her students and my community. I immediately felt the need to share my love of dance, therefore sharing the joy she shared with me. I became a certified teacher and opened my own studio having discovered this was exactly the direction I wanted to take in life. I would be able to build my own props, create my own dances, style production pieces, and direct my own show, things I had been doing as a child, literal dreams come true.
“I am literally the artistic director of The Dance Studio of Union Parish. I love the help of my staff, since they are now the very students who’ve been with me these 16 years. Together we choose a theme, music, costumes, accessories, props, and staging for about 40 dances in ballet, tap, jazz, acro, hip hop, lyrical, and contemporary.
“Our studio has grown. We began in 2005 registering about 70 students that first year, to around 200 the year we moved into our new building. Our location has grown with us from a one room building we rented, that had a cubby in the corner with a hand written ledger book, one bathroom and a hall way for a lobby, then a bigger one room studio with dressing rooms and a small office and a computer, to our new building we built in 2015 with two studio rooms and raised semi-sprung floors in both, a large lobby with TV’s to watch each room, an office with multiple desks, food prep area and space for teachers gather or rest and my daughter to play and nap, 4 bathrooms, and a nice dressing room, as well as a drive-thru outside.
“Our staff has absolutely blossomed over the year, first with just myself as the only teacher employing a few assistant teachers, to training several of my own students to be instructors, choreographers, and certified dance teachers, and being very proud to be able to expose them to competition and Twin City Ballet Company workshops, performances, and adjudications, occasionally hiring outside teachers and choreographers talent to work with us over the years. Our competition teams grew from a handful of students on one team to the year we had 18 dances and 18 students on our team. They’ve been awarded placements in the top 10 to first, special judges recognitions, artistry awards, and have been awarded scholarships and invites to perform at national competitions and special showcases using both my personal choreography, as well as choreographers we have invited in to set pieces and now we have the chance for our youngest staff to start their journeys with their choreography this summer.
“We feel so blessed to have the people, experiences, and space that make up our DSUP Family, Journey, and Home.”
June, 2021
TA-DA! Union Arts Council is proud to announce that singer/songwriter/educator AMANDA MCDOWELL is its “Artist of the Month” for June.
According to Reverb Nation, Amanda is among the top 500 Indy (Independent) Singer/Songwriters in the U.S., and the world. “Back in the day" this Louisiana gal received national radio play through other artists for songs “Plant the Seed" and "Daddy Was a Texas Ranger." Amanda has "flown" for organizations such as "Champions for Life," the largest evangelistic prison ministry in the world and has spoken/performed for Wildflower Festival, Oceanside Fest, Celebrate Recovery, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Stonecroft Ministries... to name a few. She is a graduate of Centenary College in Shreveport
Amanda has five albums under her belt and 14 of her original songs have been recorded by other artists.
Nowadays, Amanda McDowell spends time teaching music to students at Union Parish Elementary School and running a non-profit called Arrow Maker Outreach. She also live-streams her “No Baloney” show on Sundays at 2 p.m. and frequently is DJ for regional events. Her songs are available on iTunes, Spotify YouTube, Amazon and just about any music platform.
Amanda has received the following awards or accolades:
* Showcase artist for the Cutting Edge Music Business Convention
* KARD X-FACTOR top 4 finalist
* OurStage.com Original Work Competition: Blues Top 40
* Local radio play on 92.7 Fun Radio FM
In Year(s) Past
*Dallas Songwriter's Association- Children's Song of the Year;
*ICGMA National Songwriter of the Year;
*ICGMA National Newcomer of the Year:
*State of Texas Recognition for Work with Juveniles (Through Champions for Life Prison Ministries)
*CCMA Song of the Year Nomination for "Plant the Seed"
*CCMA Song of the Year Nomination for "Daddy was a Texas Ranger (and My Mama was an Outlaw)"
k104 Honky Tonk Talent Contest Finalist
Wildflower Festival Finalist
She has performed for many school systems, as well as non-profit organizations such as Relay for Life, ARCO, and St Jude Hospital. She's also appeared on television shows as such as “Designed for Destiny,” “One Accord” and acted in two Arkansas Films.
TA-DA! Union Arts Council is proud to announce that singer/songwriter/educator AMANDA MCDOWELL is its “Artist of the Month” for June.
According to Reverb Nation, Amanda is among the top 500 Indy (Independent) Singer/Songwriters in the U.S., and the world. “Back in the day" this Louisiana gal received national radio play through other artists for songs “Plant the Seed" and "Daddy Was a Texas Ranger." Amanda has "flown" for organizations such as "Champions for Life," the largest evangelistic prison ministry in the world and has spoken/performed for Wildflower Festival, Oceanside Fest, Celebrate Recovery, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Stonecroft Ministries... to name a few. She is a graduate of Centenary College in Shreveport
Amanda has five albums under her belt and 14 of her original songs have been recorded by other artists.
Nowadays, Amanda McDowell spends time teaching music to students at Union Parish Elementary School and running a non-profit called Arrow Maker Outreach. She also live-streams her “No Baloney” show on Sundays at 2 p.m. and frequently is DJ for regional events. Her songs are available on iTunes, Spotify YouTube, Amazon and just about any music platform.
Amanda has received the following awards or accolades:
* Showcase artist for the Cutting Edge Music Business Convention
* KARD X-FACTOR top 4 finalist
* OurStage.com Original Work Competition: Blues Top 40
* Local radio play on 92.7 Fun Radio FM
In Year(s) Past
*Dallas Songwriter's Association- Children's Song of the Year;
*ICGMA National Songwriter of the Year;
*ICGMA National Newcomer of the Year:
*State of Texas Recognition for Work with Juveniles (Through Champions for Life Prison Ministries)
*CCMA Song of the Year Nomination for "Plant the Seed"
*CCMA Song of the Year Nomination for "Daddy was a Texas Ranger (and My Mama was an Outlaw)"
k104 Honky Tonk Talent Contest Finalist
Wildflower Festival Finalist
She has performed for many school systems, as well as non-profit organizations such as Relay for Life, ARCO, and St Jude Hospital. She's also appeared on television shows as such as “Designed for Destiny,” “One Accord” and acted in two Arkansas Films.
May, 2021
TA-DA! Union Arts Council is proud to announce that multi-talented Barbara Sisk is named its Artist of the Month for May!
Barbara learned from an early age to love making art from her grandmother, an oil painter from Michigan. Since then, Barbara has honed her skills in other media, including ceramics, china painting, crocheting, and quilting. She has won several awards, including Best of Show in the 2016 Union Arts Council competition.
What inspires Barbara is her passion for creating artworks and her restless drive to stay busy. During her life, she has raised four children (Mona Lisa, Sonya, Teddy and Dwain Rodgers), was a Union Parish school bus driver (42 years), was a reserve deputy sheriff, and worked at the Union Parish Detention Center.
She and her husband Rocky Sisk make their home in Farmerville. During 2020, she felt a special need to be creatively busy while confined due to the pandemic and recuperation from back surgery.
TA-DA! Union Arts Council is proud to announce that multi-talented Barbara Sisk is named its Artist of the Month for May!
Barbara learned from an early age to love making art from her grandmother, an oil painter from Michigan. Since then, Barbara has honed her skills in other media, including ceramics, china painting, crocheting, and quilting. She has won several awards, including Best of Show in the 2016 Union Arts Council competition.
What inspires Barbara is her passion for creating artworks and her restless drive to stay busy. During her life, she has raised four children (Mona Lisa, Sonya, Teddy and Dwain Rodgers), was a Union Parish school bus driver (42 years), was a reserve deputy sheriff, and worked at the Union Parish Detention Center.
She and her husband Rocky Sisk make their home in Farmerville. During 2020, she felt a special need to be creatively busy while confined due to the pandemic and recuperation from back surgery.
April, 2021
TA-DA! Multi-talented artist Jim Funderburk has been named “Artist of the Month” by the Union Arts Council.
Since his retirement as an architect, Funderburk has been channeling his creativity into gourd-carving, woodworking, drawing, and scrimshaw (scrollwork, engravings, and carvings done in bone or ivory). Several of his artworks have won top prizes in local art shows, where visitors were in awe of Funderburk’s unique artistry and meticulous craftsmanship.
He and his wife Dona live on the shores of Lake D’Arbonne where he is constantly inspired by nature’s beauty…and he gets to fish all the time!
TA-DA! Multi-talented artist Jim Funderburk has been named “Artist of the Month” by the Union Arts Council.
Since his retirement as an architect, Funderburk has been channeling his creativity into gourd-carving, woodworking, drawing, and scrimshaw (scrollwork, engravings, and carvings done in bone or ivory). Several of his artworks have won top prizes in local art shows, where visitors were in awe of Funderburk’s unique artistry and meticulous craftsmanship.
He and his wife Dona live on the shores of Lake D’Arbonne where he is constantly inspired by nature’s beauty…and he gets to fish all the time!
March, 2021
TA-DA! Union Arts Council Artist of the Month is......Bernice blues man ROBERT FINLEY! Semifinalist on "America's Got Talent" in 2019, crowd-rocker, super-talented composer and performer. Check out this number: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBkI_sJoBkQ
He was born and raised in Bernice, and lives there now at age 67, with a career of carpentry behind him. He wowed the judges on America's Got Talent as a blind veteran, with a spirited soul. Finley released his debut studio album, Age Don't Mean a Thing, on September 30, 2016, on Big Legal Mess Records. The album, Goin' Platinum! was released on Easy Eye Sound (Nonesuch Records) on December 8, 2017. The following year Finley joined the Easy Eye Sound Revue tour. Finley followed up the Easy Eye Sound Revue tour with a series of headline shows around the world.
His love of music started early. At 11 years old he began practicing the guitar he had purchased from a thrift store. Gospel music played a crucial role in his early development: "I always went to gospel quartet groups and I always took the front row seat, and I just watched their fingers", recollected Finley in an interview. In 1970, he joined the Army, originally to serve as a helicopter technician in Germany. Upon his arrival, however, Finley accommodated the army band's need for a guitarist and bandleader by traveling with the group throughout Europe until he was discharged. The rest, as they say, is musical history.
TA-DA! Union Arts Council Artist of the Month is......Bernice blues man ROBERT FINLEY! Semifinalist on "America's Got Talent" in 2019, crowd-rocker, super-talented composer and performer. Check out this number: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBkI_sJoBkQ
He was born and raised in Bernice, and lives there now at age 67, with a career of carpentry behind him. He wowed the judges on America's Got Talent as a blind veteran, with a spirited soul. Finley released his debut studio album, Age Don't Mean a Thing, on September 30, 2016, on Big Legal Mess Records. The album, Goin' Platinum! was released on Easy Eye Sound (Nonesuch Records) on December 8, 2017. The following year Finley joined the Easy Eye Sound Revue tour. Finley followed up the Easy Eye Sound Revue tour with a series of headline shows around the world.
His love of music started early. At 11 years old he began practicing the guitar he had purchased from a thrift store. Gospel music played a crucial role in his early development: "I always went to gospel quartet groups and I always took the front row seat, and I just watched their fingers", recollected Finley in an interview. In 1970, he joined the Army, originally to serve as a helicopter technician in Germany. Upon his arrival, however, Finley accommodated the army band's need for a guitarist and bandleader by traveling with the group throughout Europe until he was discharged. The rest, as they say, is musical history.
February, 2021
"Artist of the Month" is an exciting new initiative to bring art to our community. Each month the Union Arts Council board of directors will choose that special someone.
And (drum roll)...the first choice.....is...
TA-DA! David Taylor! (cheers)
David attended Lance Holder's creative Photo and Art Studio during his high school years, studying charcoal drawing, pastel, and oil painting. After high school he enrolled in Advertising and Design at Northeast Louisiana University. However, college was interrupted by serving in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. Years later he would return to college, graduating in Computer Information Systems.
David now is retired and lives in the Downsville area with his wife, Judy. He still enjoys art in many forms and on occasion volunteers to teach drawing classes. You can follow David on his Facebook page at Push Over Rock Leather Company.
"Artist of the Month" is an exciting new initiative to bring art to our community. Each month the Union Arts Council board of directors will choose that special someone.
And (drum roll)...the first choice.....is...
TA-DA! David Taylor! (cheers)
David attended Lance Holder's creative Photo and Art Studio during his high school years, studying charcoal drawing, pastel, and oil painting. After high school he enrolled in Advertising and Design at Northeast Louisiana University. However, college was interrupted by serving in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. Years later he would return to college, graduating in Computer Information Systems.
David now is retired and lives in the Downsville area with his wife, Judy. He still enjoys art in many forms and on occasion volunteers to teach drawing classes. You can follow David on his Facebook page at Push Over Rock Leather Company.