Meadows Museum of Art opens final exhibitions of the spring season
SHREVEPORT, LA — The Meadows Museum of Art at Centenary College of Louisiana opens two new exhibitions that will run April 1 through May 3. Sketch//Comic: The Making of Duck and Moose features the artwork of author, illustrator, and Centenary alumnus Kirk Reedstrom ‘16, while Suspended in a Sunbeam: The Year We Became Friends with Loss is curated by Centenary arts management senior Emerson Horne. Reedstrom will deliver an artist talk on April 4 at 6:30 p.m., and Horne will give a curator talk on April 10 at 6:00 p.m. Both events are free and open to public and light refreshments will be served.
Sketch//Comic chronicles the creation process of Reedstrom’s new graphic novels, Duck and Moose: Duck Moves In! and Moose Blasts Off!, recently published through Disney Hyperion. Centenary students enrolled in Introduction to Museum Studies have worked this spring semester with Reedstrom and Meadows director, Alissa Klaus, to curate the exhibition. Pairing initial sketches with final printed comics, the exhibition offers a visual journey through the careful steps of creation while examining both the physical and emotional character development of Duck and Moose over time.
“Witnessing the transformation of Duck and Moose has been captivating," said student curator Teddy Graves. “Working with my fellow students and Kirk has helped me grow in the field that I hope to work in once I’m out of college,” added co-curator Ashton Avegno.
Debbie Brown, another student curator, shared their excitement about the exhibition, stating, “Kirk Reedstrom’s notable success serves as a profound source of inspiration and shows the enduring impact of our educational experience at Centenary."
Reedstrom will also lead a comic-making workshop at the Museum on Saturday, April 6, at 10:00 a.m. The workshop is designed for ages 6 to 13, but all ages are welcome and the event is free and open to the public. More information is available at themeadowsmuseum.com/meadows-events/comic-making-workshop.
Suspended in a Sunbeam is a testament to the resilience of five artists whose lives were reshaped by the effects of isolation due to COVID-19 and quarantine. It delves into their journey of coping with feelings of loss and isolation and explores how their relationship with human connection transformed during this time. The displayed artworks express their experiences and are a beacon of hope, reminding visitors that humans can overcome even the most challenging circumstances. The exhibition includes personal statements from each artist about their artworks, providing patrons with a more in-depth connection to the artists and their creations.
“There are genuine lasting wounds from that loss of physical human connection, and I think it is important to confront those in ourselves and remind others that they weren't alone all along - and isn’t art the best way to do that?” said curator Horne.
The exhibition features artworks from Sadie Barlow, KaDavien Baylor, Jan Gary, Riana Seidenberg, and Jude Williams. Barlow's work is characterized by bold colors and brush strokes, capturing the beauty of everyday life and objects in a new way. Baylor’s work focuses on human transformation, social theories, and encapsulating experience. Gary, a 2023 Centenary graduate, draws inspiration from the natural world, using materials like butterfly and cicada wings, pressed flowers, and soils collected from various areas around the American West. Seidenberg, a Centenary junior majoring in studio art, explores multiple subjects and mediums in her work. Williams, a Centenary sophomore, focuses on visual mixed media art and poetry.
The Museum will also display staff selections from its permanent collection that deal with isolation, loneliness, and loss in conjunction with Suspended in a Sunbeam.
About the Meadows Museum of Art
The Meadows Museum of Art is located on the campus of Centenary College of Louisiana at 2911 Centenary Boulevard in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Museum is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Museum is closed on Sundays and College holidays. For more information or to schedule field trips, call the Museum at 318.869.5169 or visit themeadowsmuseum.com.