Louisiana Crafts Guild artists and craftsmen pay homage to the patron saint of crafts and carpentry.

The Louisiana Crafts Guild will erect a handmade altar to St. Joseph at their gallery La Guild on the second level of Canal Place on Saturday, March 16 - Tuesday, March 19. Featuring the work of over 15 artists, this altar will shed light and homage to another side of St. Joseph’s patronage: his dedication to craftsmen and carpenters.

Every year in New Orleans, March 19th (St. Joseph's Day) excites and delights the city with Mardi Gras Indian traditions in the streets and decorated edible altars in Catholic churches. While the Italian Catholic communities set up altars to honor St. Joseph’s relief of famine in late 1800s Sicily, the Louisiana Crafts Guild artists will begin a tradition of honoring him for his guidance and protection of their art forms.

The altar will showcase a variety mediums from paintings, fiber, wood, glass, and mixed media. From liturgical works to handmade food replicas, blossoms of spring, and Mardi Gras Indians, the altar will bring together artists from all across the state—and Mississippi and Texas—to participate in this New Orleans and Catholic tradition.

ARTISTS

  1. Greg Arceneaux, carpentry and furniture; Covington, La.
  2. Patricia Barker, painter; New Orleans, La.
  3. Brian Bush, mixed media sculpture; Marrero, La.
  4. Pamela Caruso, printmaker; New Orleans, La.
  5. Sher Chappell, mixed media painting; Lockhart, Tx.
  6. Tanya Conlay, fused glass, Natchitoches, La.
  7. Lori Felix, mixed media painting; Magnolia, Ms.
  8. Kathleen Grummich, fiber painter; New Orleans, La
  9. Adrian Guidry, metal artist and jeweler; Lafayette, La.
  10. Frances Johanson, bead work and jewelry; Pineville, La.
  11. Andre Juneau, metal folk art; Scott, La.
  12. Heather Mattingly, mixed media painting; New Orleans, La.
  13. Annie Odell, fiber; River Ridge, La.
  14. Mary Louise Porter, mixed media painter; Natchitoches, La.
  15. Hank Schlau, clay and metal; Covington, La.
  16. Candace Roszelle, jewelry/beading; Lafayette, La.
  17. Carol Thibodeaux, mixed media folk art; Baton Rouge, La.
  18. Teri Walker and Chad Ridgeway, blown glass; New Orleans, La.

On Tuesday, March 19, in honor of St. Joseph’s Day, La Guild will offer sweets for altar visitors. The altar will be open for view regular shopping hours: Saturday, March 16, 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM; Sunday, March 17, 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM; Monday, March 18, and Tuesday, March 19, 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM.

Louisiana Crafts Guild is a juried organization of Fine Crafts Artisans located throughout the state of Louisiana and the southern region of the United States that passionately teaches and promotes creative expression and artistic excellence in Fine Craft. Learn more at http://www.louisianacrafts.org.  

 

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Media Contact:
Katie Odell
(504) 914-9067
katie@louisianacrafts.org