Thursday, May 31, 2012

Support the Arts!


We're taking a bit of a serious tone here today, to talk about the very important issue of arts funding in Louisiana. 

There is a huge cut to the Decentralized Arts Funding within the state budget and it will effect all programming happening throughout the state. The arts and culture of Louisiana are not only what sets us apart from other southern states, but are also a vital aspect of our cultural economy. For every $1.00 invested in the cultural arts there is an average $7.00 return on investment to the state's coffers. The arts are a good investment for the state, and they enrich our lives too.

Please read the entreaty below, and if you feel so moved, visit http://louisianacitizensforthearts.org to send a letter to Louisiana Senators! We are down to crunch time so the sooner you send the letter, the better. 

URGENT!
Funding for the Arts is the most bleak it's been in 20 years.
The Senate Finance Committee sent the budget to the Senate floor yesterday WITHOUT the restoration of the $500,000 for the Decentralized Arts Funding (DAF) Program to bring the program's funding back up to last year's appropriation which means we're down to $1 Million for DAF if the budget passes as is. This will have a negative impact on every parish in the state with organizations that provide cultural programming, summer library programs and arts in education in the schools. This is our last chance to have the $500,000 restored on the floor, so don't hesitate. Contact your Senator NOW!

Please take 3 minutes to contact the Senators NOW.  It's as easy as 1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . just go to http://louisianacitizensforthearts.org. Under the Take Action box, “Click Here to Write Your Legislators” and you will be taken to the ALERT page.  Under Louisiana, click Take Action. You'll see the action alert at the top of the page and as you scroll down, you will see the message to the Senators.  Scroll down to the Sender Information. Once this is complete, just hit "send message" and you're done!  Don't forget to share this message with all your friends and other arts advocates.  Remember, with your help we were able to have the arts funding reinstated last year.  We NEED every one's help again this year to do it again! 
Send a message NOW asking the Senators to support our request for restoration of the $500,000 in Decentralized Arts Funding. 
                                                 
To become a contributing member of LCA, go to http://louisianacitizensforthearts.org

LCA is supported solely by donations from citizens, businesses, and organizations who believe the arts are essential to our Louisiana economy, identity and way of life..  You can help at www.LouisianaCitizensfortheArts.org    

Monday, May 28, 2012

The Best Guide!

We got in a very fun delivery last week - the newly published Best Shops of Magazine Street! This lovely booklet is published as a division of Best Shops of America, and we are so proud to be included, alongside some of our favorite neighbors. 



The pages are glossy and gorgeous, and the size is just perfect to slip into a purse, gift bag, glovebox - anywhere you might need to stash a list of your favorite shops to hit on Mag! Don't the pictures make you want to go shopping? 






You can check out all these shops and more on the web, or pick up a booklet in person at the gallery!


P.S. We took the pictures on Kathy's tables - check out the lovely finishes in the background! 

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Ready, Set, Action!

During our photo shoot for Kathy's table the other day, we had to move around a few pieces to clear a wall. The photographer, Richard Vallon, though it would be fun to snap some shots of Kathy and I moving one of George's landscapes back - so we thought it would be fun to share the action shot! You can see why it takes two of us - neat to see the scale of some of George's work! 


(For clarification - Kathy and I are both average height - right around 5'6"!) 



Monday, May 14, 2012

Thank you! and the surprise!

Thank you to everyone who made it out for the Champagne Stroll, despite that pesky rain! We had so much fun!


 Thanks to Fifi for bringing the pretty flowers - don't her vases look amazing with the bright spring blooms? 




The champagne was flowing!


We were so happy to have George and Fifi there to chat with our visitors - we learned so many interesting things!


Several other artist friends stopped by as well - we snapped a picture of Jill Hackney with George and Fifi.


And now for the promised surprise - we are so happy to announce that we are currently showing a few works by Lisa di Stefano! They are generously on loan from
Ann Connelly Fine Art in Baton Rouge, and they are gorgeous! 


They made their debut on Saturday - but will be with us for the next three months! 


Saturday, May 12, 2012

Tonight's the night....


We have a little surprise in store, so be sure not to miss Gallery 3954 on your stroll!

See you all tonight! 

Friday, May 11, 2012

Photo Shoot Friday

Taking some time out of Champagne Stroll anticipation for a little photo shoot with Richard Vallon and Kathy Slater's tables! 


The star of the show!


Can't wait to show the finished images - the grey/blue/gorgeous finish on this St. Charles table is incredible! 

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Let's get Social!

Why hello there!

If you're enjoying the blog - why not check us out elsewhere on the web? We are happy to announce that our new website is live! And how about facebook and pinterest? You can never be too in-the-know about Gallery 3954! 

Happy browsing! 

Ps. We also hope to see you in person this Saturday for the first Annual Magazine Street Champagne Stroll! 

Monday, May 7, 2012

___Lines________

As we mentioned on Facebook, George Marks is currently participating in a show at the Eno Gallery in Hillsborough, NC. The exhibition is titled "Lines of Communication", and it's a visual dialogue concerning artist's interpretations of the theme - a connection explored between painting and telephone poles, a "totem spirit guide of communication"


Thinking about this today, we wanted to share a few images of George's work - showing his use of lines - in landscapes and in the layers of his magnificent paintings.
 
Close-up of the lines at the top - we love how the criss-cross is mirrored in the gradation of the colors.
Incredibly subtle and so striking.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Segreto - Beautiful Finishes

If you haven't seen Segreto's beautiful finishes, you should check out the brand's work on their website - or come by the gallery and view their book! 

Segreto: The Secrets to Finishing Beautiful Interiors, by Leslie Sinclair, is available for sale here at Gallery 3954. 

A peek inside the pages..



It's pretty closed too - just as a coffee table decoration! 


Perfect Mother's Day gift for all the design-minded women out there! 

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Bubbly and Beauty!

We're excited to announce we're participating in the Magazine Arts District's first annual Champagne Stroll! 

On Saturday, May 12th, galleries on Magazine will be open late and pouring champagne for all our visitors! Stop by for the bubbly, stay for the beauty! 



We hope to see you all there!