"An artist is a dreamer consenting to dream of the actual world."

- George Santayana

Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011

Written by Anna Purdy

"An artist is a dreamer consenting to dream of the actual world."

- George Santayana

One of the best things about Lafayette is that for a city its size the support for the arts doesn't flinch or waver. Downtown Lafayette is continuing its commitment to the arts by hosting its second annual ArtWalk Fall Fest honoring the late Elemore Morgan Jr.

Starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10, downtown Lafayette's galleries as well as retailers, bars, museums and restaurants that feature local artists will open to the public both for display and for sale.

Pieces of Morgan's work are on loan from private collections as well as from IberiaBank and Lafayette Consolidated Government. The Lafayette Science Museum, the Chase Tower and Home Bank will also be hosting Morgan's artwork. The beloved mentor passed away in 2008 at the age of 76 after years as a fierce and widely known arts advocate and teacher at UL. Morgan was a native of Louisiana, studying around the world as a young man and returning here to contribute greatly to Louisiana art and artists.

Some of his students will be showing their works during Fall Fest, including highlighting Morgan's influence at the grand opening of the Arts Co-op on Jefferson Street where works by Travis Prejean, Tanya Falgout and Cliff Broussard will be on display.

"Mr. Morgan was the most demanding teacher and expected a great amount of study and drawings for home work. His critiques were reflections of his gentle guidance, which, for all of us, earned the greatest respect and appreciation for the teacher and man," says Falgout. Singer-songwriter Sean Bruce will perform. The co-op plans to have a live performance during every ArtWalk.

Parking can be found all around downtown for free and in the lighted parking tower on Vermilion Street for $2. Many venues will be serving complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres, and Jefferson Street will be very pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly.

Following are the venues officially open for the ArtWalk Fall Fest:

Acadiana Center for the Arts at 101 W. Vermilion St. / 233-7060

Main Gallery is showing Andreé and Mike Stansbury's "ArtAffair: A 55-Year Retrospective," a multi-media showcase of the couple's 55 years as artists. The Vault Series features Megan Barras' "Silk Compositions," which are sewn by hand and with a Singer sewing machine from 1898. Finally, the AcA's Mallia Gallery is showing Kody Chamberlain's "Sweets: A New Orleans Crime Story," which is an original graphic novel on display. There is also a Louisiana Folk Roots jam from 6-8 p.m.

Adrian Fulton's Fine Art Gallery at 302 Jefferson St. / 658-3274

Fulton's paintings and portraits are on display. Art and art therapy classes are available.

Arts Co-op at 535 ½ Jefferson St. / 234-5492

The new gallery's grand opening centers on a celebration of Elemore Morgan Jr.'s life, work and influences on his students.

The Ballet Académie at 200 Polk St. in the Russo Building / 280-0964

A new addition to downtown, the dance school will be featuring work by mixed-media sculptor Kelly Guidry, tattoo artist Jake G and digital artist Josh Strickland.

Cajun Spice at 535 Jefferson St. / 232-3061

Gallery owner Melissa Dronet's clay and instrument work are featured.

Cité des Arts at 109 Vine St. / 291-1122

Pre-historic Indian artifacts found at Louisiana architectural digs are shown, curated by Dr. Lyn Fontenot.

Francis Pavy Studio at 210 Gordon St. / 232-6682

Pavy's studio is off the beaten in Freetown, although nearby and features more than 30 years of his work as a multi-media artist.

Gallery 549 at 549 Jefferson St. / 593-0796

Owner Donald LeBlanc shows his painted work on wood panels. Sculptor Frederic O. Daspit will also show.

Galerie Lafayette (The Lafayette Public Library) at 538 Jefferson St. / 261-5775

Watercolor exhibition called "Informed Look" by Vaughn Simpson.

Gallery R (The Russo Group) at 116 E. Congress St. / 769-1530

Showcasing printmaker Erin Jagneaux.

Lounge Art Gallery at 402 S. Buchanan St. / 236-5570

This gallery is in the back of the very elegant, Art Deco-style bar The Lounge on Jefferson Street.

Sans Souci Gallery at 219 E. Vermilion St. / 266-7999

Danielle Moss shows her glass and silver jewelry.

St. Pierre's Center for the Arts at 114 W. Vermilion St. / 236-9111

Artist Caroline is featured and musician Lyle Begnaud is playing.

Whoojoo Stained Glass at 532 Jefferson St. / 269-9310

Open studio.

Pop into local businesses like Artmosphere, Bizarre Ink, Frederick's Hair Studio, Grant St. Dancehall and Recycled Cycles of Acadiana, which are also participating in ArtWalk. And if the appetite strikes, there are plenty of restaurants waiting to serve you.