There are less than 20 tickets left to an Aug. 16 Luling art show featuring local artists.
The event will take place at the Old Church from 7-10 p.m. and will include music, a cash bar and light hors d’oeuvres. The art show is one of three annual fundraising events organized by the Paul Maillard Business and Art Initiative, a nonprofit that was created two years ago with the goal of installing visual artworks throughout the community. The Old Luling Fete was held in March and the Reindeer River Run will be held at the end of the year.
Jenny Lendle of the Paul Maillard Business and Art Initiative said many people who attended last year’s art show called right away when the $35 tickets went on sale this year.
“It’s a lovely evening out, to see old friends, and admire beautiful works of art while getting to meet and mingle with the artists,” Lendle said. “You don’t have to cross the bridge, you don’t have to get out of town. You’re keeping things local.”
She said she thinks it’s important for the community to have these types of art events
“You see it all the time in New Orleans, but you don’t see it here in our small section of the town so we’re trying to bring that here and hopefully get other artists involved,” she said.
Eight artists will showcase their work at the show, including St. Charles Parish residents Kerry Allen, Ann Clement, Josh Matherne, Donna Nassar, and Lynn Rochelle. Sculpture artist Rebecca Lombardo from New Orleans will also show her work. A live painting by artist Hayley Roussell will be included in the event’s silent auction.
Proceeds from the silent auction and 50/50 raffle will go toward art projects in Luling commissioned by the initiative. The group’s first project – a mural by Kerry Allen – was installed at the West Bank Trailhead in July with help from Pacers Fitness and a grant from New Orleans Red Dress Run.
A second mural located on Paul Maillard Road will be completed by artist Mandy Poche in the next few months.
Poche, the owner of Mandy Mae Fine Art in Ponchatoula, will also showcase her work at the art show again this year. She said when she heard about the cause behind the art show she knew she wanted to get involved.
“I know they’re trying to revamp Paul Maillard and Luling itself and me being from there I wanted to go back for sure and just help make a difference if I could,” she said.
Poche grew up in Luling but moved to Ponchatoula after she lost her parents and two sisters. She said her inspiration for her art is to honor them.
“It’s the reason why I’m doing what I’m doing,” she said. “Complete motivation for sure.”
Poche described her art style as impressionistic but said its hard to describe her as as an artist.
“It’s hard because I am all over the place – 100 percent,” she said. “I don’t like being tied down to one style or colors. For me, I’d rather be all over the place because it keeps me entertained and I never get burned out.”
Poche is a self-taught artist. She participated in her first art show – the Ponchatoula Art and Wine Stroll – just five years ago after her husband signed her up for the event behind her back.
“I was pretty mad,” Poche said. “Very mad.”
But at the event she sold all of the paintings she showcased that day. Her husband told her to quit her job and pursue art full time. They now run her gallery together, where they host sip and paint classes and sell everything from prints to tea towels.
Poche said she is looking forward to seeing the other artists and their work at the art show.
“We all like to network and mingle with each other,” she said. “In the art world, we are like a big family.”
She says she hopes events like the art show and the murals around the parish will bring more visitors to the area.
“People travel for art,” she said. “People look for art. It’s great to have these opportunities.”
