Laura Bond, Reporter
11-05-2009
Where can thousands of voices expressing pain, grief, joy or loss be understood without making a sound or writing a single letter?
Some people reinforce their beliefs or release negative feelings by talking or writing about them. Others have much more complicated ways to say everything in their hearts and minds.
Music is one medium for expression. With its high and low pitches, the composer or vocalist can quickly evoke a reaction from a listener. A cheerful woman might be sitting in a diner joking with friends when the tune on the radio strikes a chord and she’s overcome with memories of a lost love. A young boy may be filled with despair that slowly dissolves as he listens to a song of hope or adventure on a new CD.
In the same way that a well-written novel or musical selection can inspire people to think outside of their daily concerns, so can a well-crafted work of art. Whether it’s a charcoal drawing, painting or sculpture, one creation can so vividly express a viewpoint that the artist could not have explained in 2,000 words.
I recall a conversation I had with regionally renowned artist Sarah Albritton at Crescent City Coffeehouse during the 2006 Holiday Arts Tour. In the 37 paintings hanging on the walls, the former owner of “Sarah’s Kitchen” had illustrated different periods of her life.
Pointing to a colorful painting filled with houses, the Ruston native said, “That one is called ‘Lonely Road.’ It’s where I grew up.”
Albritton said she was inspired to paint the picture from a memory she had of being 6 years old when her mother put her out of the house.
“She said ‘don’t come back,’” Albritton recalled. “So I slept under the house that night. My stepfather didn’t want me there, so I went to go live with my aunt and uncle.”
In most of her works, Albritton said she painted herself among the other people wearing a white blouse and navy skirt.
“My classmate had a blue skirt and white blouse, and I asked my mother to buy me one,” Albritton said. “She said she couldn’t on $3 a week, but I begged and pleaded and said I’d get a job. So I got my first job at age 9 taking care of cats.”
Residents throughout north Louisiana will have an opportunity to view a few of Albritton’s works, along with the creations of about 50 other artists, at the arts tour this weekend. Paintings, pottery, jewelry, sculptures and other designs will be up on display at locations throughout Ruston.
The art tour will feature works created by artists Emmanuel Adlain, Lou Davenport Kavanaugh, Monica Crowe, Mara Loeb, Donna Hinkle, Follette Pottery, Jonathan May, Marlen Waters, Elizabeth Blackwelder, Barbara Norris, Chris Bartlett, Matt Blache, Gena Ruffino, Wess Foreman, Jerry Berg, Hannah Marie Lee, Joshua Chambers, Dane Landry, Annie Richardson, Camille Jungman, Catherine McVea, Kate Hilburn, Kit Gilbert, Maggie Boudreaux, Patricia Jones, Ashley Barnes, Anjelica Hardy, Drék Davis, Kevin Rhodes, Landis Anderson, CeDerrick Mixon, Brandi Cockerham, Marcus Kilgore, Deleisa Brown, Naja Simeon, Tommie Sue Slaughter, Donna McGee, Rashad Wunberly, Lacey Stinson, Dianne Springer, Loretta Shadow Owens, M. Douglas Walton, Caleb Clark, Caroline Youngblood, Dustin McGilvary, Edward Kersh, Nicholas E. Bustamante, Todd Maggio and Hannah Upshaw.
For art lovers who are interested in purchasing as well viewing the works, there will be plenty of art for sale. The tour arrives just in time for the holidays, so residents have an opportunity to browse the selections to find unique Christmas gifts.
A few years ago, I attended the annual arts tour with my mother. I went home with a few prints, and she bought a cartoon-like painting of a man that still hangs in her bathroom.
This weekend, I’ll be roaming the tour sites in search of paintings and jewelry that say at least 50 words about joy, hope and beauty to purchase as the perfect gifts for my family.
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