The St. Charles Art Guild has been active in the community for over 50 years. From monthly meetings and demonstrations to workshops and community service, Guild President Alice Champagne said the group is always trying to find new and unique ways to enhance the community through art.
The newest avenue the guild is taking to present art to the community is a partnership with Grand Ridge Golf Club, where guild members’ work will be on display.
“We will swap out artwork every three months to showcase our members’ paintings,” Champagne said. “Currently, we have a one artist show by Destrehan resident Marie Weiler.”
Champagne said guild member’s artwork is also on display at Southern Latte Cafe’ and Destrehan Plantation’s gift shop, as well as the library in Destrehan and physician’s offices around town. When the coronavirus pandemic shuttered many local businesses, Champagne said guild members began to think about somewhere new that their art could be shown.
“It’s not just to sell paintings but to enhance our community through art,” Champagne said of the Grand Ridge partnership. “That’s what our mission is – to foster camaraderie through artists in the community and to foster the love of art in the community.”
Champagne said the SCAG is a mix of people who love to create art and people who appreciate art. The group meets on the first Tuesday of every month, and a different artist is brought in for those meetings to provide a demonstration. Throughout the year – although not recently due to the pandemic – the guild offers public art lessons, travels to senior centers for art projects and completes other community-centered activities.
Champagne said currently the guild is working on a partnership with the parish’s recreation department and hopes to offer daytime workshops at the parish’s community centers soon.
The St. Charles Art Guild was established in September 1968 by Mariann Burns, Laura Wilk, Claire Van Wirt, Travis Pitchfored, Dee Rabalais, Lorraine Gendron and Norman and Ann Wigle.
For more information on the guild or information on membership, visit www.stcharlesartguild.com.
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